What is a reflection point and why is it important?
One important aspect of designing a home theater or listening room can be finding the first reflection point (FRP). This is the location in the room where sound waves will first reflect off a nearby surface, such as a wall, before reaching the listener's ears. The sound produced by the speaker will reach the listener shortly before the reflected sound. This can result in a less precise soundstage and overall muddier sound. In any room, you will find many reflection points but the first ones are usually the most problematic.
It's not for everyone.
Leaving the FRP untreated is sometimes preferred for some listeners including some 2-channel enthusiasts. Natural room acoustics can help create an airy and open soundstage. Using diffusion panels as opposed to absorbers at the FRP can be a good idea to maintain the widest soundstage possible. Using too much absorption can make the room too "dead" and make the music sound lifeless. It's a better idea to use a mix of absorbers and diffusers, and adding little by little. For music purposes, you generally want the room to be more on the lively side, whereas for home theater you might want a more dead-sounding room to maintain channel separation.
Here's a quick (non-scientific) way to establish the first reflection point.
- Identify your main listening position and grab a mirror.
- Take a seat and ask a friend to hold the mirror at the same height as the tweeter with their back against the closest side wall (or hard surface).
- Request the person holding the mirror to move towards or away from you whilst keeping their back against the wall.
- When you see the tweeter reflection in the mirror ask them to stop.
- Mark that spot and repeat on the opposite side.
Hey presto, you found your first reflection points.
This same method can also be used for the floor and ceiling.
Once the first reflection point has been located, it can be treated to improve the sound quality.
Finding the first reflection point can be an important step when designing a space or updating an existing one. It can enhance the acoustic characteristics of the room and improve the overall experience.
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