I plan on placing 2 (2'x4') panels on this wall near the area marked by the blue tape. Would you place these panels horizontally or vertically?

Keep in mind that this room was previously used as a dinning room and has chair rails all around. Removing these rails is not an option. The rail is approximately 34 inches of the ground.

Option one:

Place both panels vertically side by side.

Option two:

Place one panel below the rails and another above.

Most definitely place both panels vertically above the chair rail. I can't speak as to horizontal placement as you haven't given any context.

Either way is going to work, but what you really want to do is find the early reflection point between you and the speakers and place the panel center there.

How to find the early reflection points:

Sit in the listening spot and have someone take a mirror and go down both sidewalls. Where ever you can see the speaker from the listening spot is where the panel would be placed.

Glenn

Most definitely place both panels vertically above the chair rail. I can't speak as to horizontal placement as you haven't given any context.


Given the hight of the Rail at 34" and using 40 " towers with three cones, wouldn't a lot of the sound that will be reflecting oringate at a lower point. I would think that placing the panels above the rails would be less effective. My idea was to placed them maybe 20" off the ground. This would lay them on top of the rails.

See revised image.

I did my best at drawing Left Speaker location, couch, and positions that I was considering for the panels.

I'm sorry...here is the revised immage.


I don't know why the image did not upload correctly. It chopped up some lines, but I hope you get the idea.

99117

Either way is going to work, but what you really want to do is find the early reflection point between you and the speakers and place the panel center there.

How to find the early reflection points:

Sit in the listening spot and have someone take a mirror and go down both sidewalls. Where ever you can see the speaker from the listening spot is where the panel would be placed.

Glenn


Once I get my speakers, TV, and couch in there I will pin point the early reflction points correctly, but as you will see from the revised image, the general vacinity is teh center of the wall.

One big concern that I have with placing the panels horizontally is that the tweeter height and the rail height will be almost at the same level (height). Would this placement be less effective. Our can assume that the sound waves spread over a larger area, which means I should not be so concern about a couple of inches.

It won't make any difference whether you orient them vertically or horizontally, based on the picture you posted. The chair rail is no problem. Absorption should generally be placed at or below seated ear level.

Absorption should generally be placed at or below seated ear level.

Only if you have ears on your shins!


Rutgers1: Since your goal is to absorb the first reflection point from the left speaker, you should place the panels accordingly with the mirror trick. Don't forget to cover the range throughout the listening positions. If there are any concerns for aesthetics, it looks from your picture that placing both panels horizontally, one above and one below the rail would probably work best.

Context is everything. :)

Only if you have ears on your shins!


Rutgers1: Since your goal is to absorb the first reflection point from the left speaker, you should place the panels accordingly with the mirror trick. Don't forget to cover the range throughout the listening positions. If there are any concerns for aesthetics, it looks from your picture that placing both panels horizontally, one above and one below the rail would probably work best.

Context is everything. :)

Agreed. :)

Glenn