DIY Bass Diffuser

[walpurgis]

With all due respect, the pictured item may have an effect on higher frequencies when close to the source, but it will have no influence on bass. The wavelength at low frequencies is big and would not be impacted by small projections on a board.

[Andrei]

Andrei
Very nice, i like building with wood myself.
Where did you imagine putting it? It might go well on a wall, perhaps as a set of three behind your listening position?

I don't have to worry about behind the seating position as the listening room is very long and the seating position is half way down. I will use one behind one speaker, another on a 'point of first reflection' and the set of three on a blank (ish) side wall.

Gordon:
I see, I see, or at least I get the concept. Are you an octopus? One hand to hold the inner part, one to hold the outer part, one one to hold the drill. That's three for starters and then you need one more to hold the glass of wine that assists in keeping the other hands steady!

[Andrei]

With all due respect, the pictured item may have an effect on higher frequencies when close to the source, but it will have no influence on bass. The wavelength at low frequencies is big and would not be impacted by small projections on a board.

Surely all sound waves have to follow the same principals of reflecting at the angle of incidence. So far I have not noticed a difference and as noted by another the one I have done is by itself unlikely to be sufficient. I have read that a bookshelf nearby is a good thing and this diffuser would have to be at least as effective as that. The proof will be in the pudding no doubt.

[Gordon Steadman]

Gordon:
I see, I see, or at least I get the concept. Are you an octopus? One hand to hold the inner part, one to hold the outer part, one one to hold the drill. That's three for starters and then you need one more to hold the glass of wine that assists in keeping the other hands steady!

Yup, you got the general principle, particularly the wine bit, it helps steady the hand no end

[walpurgis]

Try it Andrei. hold the diffuser in front of a speaker, you'll likely notice that higher frequencies are affected, but not lower ones.

[Stubies]

Try it Andrei. hold the diffuser in front of a speaker, you'll likely notice that higher frequencies are affected, but not lower ones.

I have tested sound 'absorbing' material simply by kind of 'yelling at it' - seems too simple but it works pretty well, chaning the pitch of your voice etc. - (pls dont call the guys with the coats just yet! )

Here is an idea:
Since the objective is to change the reflection pattern off the wall - it may be possible to test it by first: stand next to the wall and listen to the 'sound bounce', and second: hold up the diffuser (or have someone else hold it up if you dont want to block the sound path)

That might give a clear result too

[walpurgis]

Here's a link to some interesting info on the subject:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec0.../acoustics.htm

As is implied, absorbtion/damping of bass reflections is the way to go, Diffusion being more useful at higher frequencies.