When designing our Eco Acoustic Panels, we recognized that to holistically treat a room, we needed to offer different types of solutions that do different jobs. Absorbers alone will make an impact, but to completely treat a room, there are three core types of acoustic treatment.
1. Absorption
What it does:
Absorption reduces the intensity of sound waves by converting acoustic energy into heat. This helps control reflections, reverb, and flutter echo, especially in the mid to high frequencies.
Common materials:
- PET Panels
- Acoustic foam
- Mineral wool (e.g., Rockwool or Owens Corning 703)
- Fiberglass panels
- Fabric-covered insulation
Applications:
- Treat early reflection points (side walls, ceiling)
- Behind speakers to reduce rear wall reflections
- On back walls to reduce slapback echo
Tip: Avoid over-absorbing—too much can make a room sound “dead” and unnatural. The sound of a padded cell is not the goal.
2. Diffusion
What it does:
Diffusion scatters sound waves in many directions, rather than absorbing them. This maintains a room’s sense of liveliness while reducing comb filtering and standing waves.
Common types:
- Quadratic residue diffusers (QRD)
- Skyline diffusers (multi-depth blocks)
- 1D and 2D diffusion panels
Applications:
- Rear walls in mixing rooms to reduce focused reflections
- Ceilings to spread energy evenly
- Large wall surfaces in performance spaces
Tip: Diffusion is most effective in larger rooms where there's space for the sound to scatter. For smaller rooms, a column behind the mix position usually does the job.
3. Bass Traps
What it does:
Bass traps target low-frequency buildup in a room—often the trickiest part of acoustic design. Low-end waves are long and slow to decay, creating muddy or boomy sound.
Types:
- Membrane traps (limp mass or diaphragmatic absorbers for deeper bass)
- Broadband absorbers (thick insulation panels effective down to ~100Hz)
- Helmholtz resonators (tuned to specific frequencies)
Applications:
- Room corners (where bass tends to build up)
- Ceiling-wall intersections
- Behind monitors
Tip: For very small rooms, start with bass trapping first—it has the greatest impact on clarity and balance.
Putting It All Together
For a well-balanced room:
- If your room is small, like 10'x10', start with bass traps in corners.
- Add absorption at early reflection points.
- Use diffusion on rear walls or ceilings to maintain natural ambiance.
Every room is different, and no single formula fits all. But by combining these three types of acoustic treatment, you can dramatically improve the sound quality in any space—making better mixes and more enjoyable listening possible.
