I have done some searching and found that there are a lot of ways NOT to build a bass trap. So for those of you who have built them and they work, what are some inexpensive ways to build bass traps to place in the corners of a home theater?

BTW, would this following work? My front bookshelf speakers sit on a stand that is about 36" off the ground. Under these stands is where I could put a bass trap (meaning a bass trap in the left corner and right corner of the home theater.) Is this anything wrong with that? Thanks.

The corners are where you WANT to put bass traps, floor to ceiling if possible. Probably the cheapest DIY route is get OC 703 insulation and cut it into triangular wedges and stack them on top of each other in a corner. It is not pleasing to the eye, buy you could build a fabric covered frame to cover it.

Here is one in the front corner of my room:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/mbgonzomd/IM004897.jpg

Where is OC 703 purchased at? Online or B&M store? Also, to start I would just have them on the floor (to about the 36" high mark). Would that be ok?

Is there a frame that those triangles are sitting in or are they just stacked?

Easiest is 4" of fibreglass in 2'x4' wide panels straddling a corner. Look at the Realtraps site to get an idea of what they look like. Filling the cavity (which is what cutting triangles does) only increases bass absorption in the ~250-500hz range. Nothing wrong with that design, just a lower value/dollar ratio, i.e it's better to have a 4" thick trap in each corner than one "mega" trap using triangles in one corner.

where in this room will the speakers be placed?

Easiest is 4" of fibreglass in 2'x4' wide panels straddling a corner. Look at the Realtraps site to get an idea of what they look like. Filling the cavity (which is what cutting triangles does) only increases bass absorption in the ~250-500hz range. Nothing wrong with that design, just a lower value/dollar ratio, i.e it's better to have a 4" thick trap in each corner than one "mega" trap using triangles in one corner.

I would have to disagree with you on that. Filling a corner will work well down to 50hz for you. A 4" plain 703 board will peak at about 100hz and start to fall off at that point in time. Not that it is not helping at 50hz, but nothing like filling the corner does. :)

Glenn

Where is OC 703 purchased at? Online or B&M store? Also, to start I would just have them on the floor (to about the 36" high mark). Would that be ok?

Is there a frame that those triangles are sitting in or are they just stacked?


Google it and you will get some online retailers. Bpape at sensiblesoundsolution also sells it.

The triangles are just stacked.

Glenn/Jesse/Gonzo, does anyone have any numbers on doing it with triangle wedges vs. 4" straggled? I am close to that point and would really like to know which would be best. Thank you.

The front speakers will be on stands that are 36" off the ground. Under those stands is where I was thinking of putting the bass traps (if that is what is recommended.) So should I use the 4" OC 703 in triangles to fill the front left and right corners?

Glenn/Jesse/Gonzo, does anyone have any numbers on doing it with triangle wedges vs. 4" straggled? I am close to that point and would really like to know which would be best. Thank you.

Not that our stuff is the same, but you can compare the GIK 244 and the Tri Trap off our web site. Note: from the way ours is built the 244 actually has the peak at around 85 hz and the Tri Trap has a little more going on inside of it, compared to DYI. But all and all you can see how a panel has more of a peak and the filling the corner has more of a smooth absorption, but absorbs lower.

Glenn

I would have to disagree with you on that. Filling a corner will work well down to 50hz for you. A 4" plain 703 board will peak at about 100hz and start to fall off at that point in time. Not that it is not helping at 50hz, but nothing like filling the corner does. :)

Glenn

Would be interesting to see plots for both...