So now I need to cover my pretty painted walls?

[Toml2001]

Okay, so know that I've installed my HT, measured the response at the low frequencies and done some research, it appears as though I need to install various sound absorbing/trapping fixtures to smooth things out. Most of the pictures I've seen call for these monstrous floor-to-ceiling, or at least 4' high traps that frankly don't look very good. So I'd like to do something that will improve the characteristics of the room, but without negatively impacting its appearance. Heck I think I should be able to improve the appearance, depending on exactly what's done.

From what I gather, treating first reflection points is primarily about higher frequencies. The plans I have from Ethan's website call for 3" thick assemblies. So I have two questions here: can I get substantial improvement with thinner assemblies, and what LxW dimensions can I get away with? Would a pair of 2x2 assemblies spaced evenly on the wall do the trick for each reflection point? How about one assembly? Okay, so four questions :)

Someone mentioned deadening the front walls to limit surround reflection. Even when using dipoles? Aren't dipoles designed to bounce sound off the walls? If you deaden the walls, don't you defeat the surrounds? Or are you deadening for lower frequencies?

Lastly, the biggest known issue I'd like to solve is smoothing out from 20-100Hz. I have a null at 80 Hz, so that's priority 1. Bass trapping seems like the ticket, but again I'm not thrilled with the idea of massive assemblies all over the place. What dimenions can I get away with here? Would some 2x2 assemblies do the trick, and do they really need to be 4" thick? Finally, what about the coverings on these bass traps? I've noticed that Ethan's plans don't cover the plywood with anything, and that just ain't gonna fly with the LOML :confused:

Thanks for ANY help I can get.

[bpape]

Bass is going to take size. No way around it. You can build columns and hid the bass trapping in there if they are in the right locations. Do you know WHY you have the null @ 80Hz? Is it a room mode? Seating position? Sub position? Combination? You may be able to help it some without a great deal of trapping but depending on what you can do and why it is there, you'll likely still need something in the way of trapping. What type, it's size, it's location, etc. depend largely on why it is there, how deep the null is, how wide the null is, etc.

For the reflection points, if placed properly 2'x2' can work and need only be as thick as the absorbtion - say 1-1 1/2 inch.

The front wall should be dead - even with dipoles. The only sound you want from the front is that coming from LCR. Everything else is either direct from the side/rear if using direct radiators or from a diffuse space surrounding you.

When you deaden the front wall, you're only doing the same thing you do at the reflection points usually. Upper mids through highs are absorbed.