What is the difference between sound absorbers and diffusers?

What is the difference between sound absorbers and diffusers?

Absorber. A sound diffuser disperses the reflected sound waves away from the listening position while an absorber dissipates or absorbs it. As a result, sound diffusers will make a room more lively as compared to sound absorbers.

How do you choose diffusers or absorbers?

Acoustic diffusers are placed at the reflection points in your room. For a recording studio the most common reflection points for diffuser placement are at the back wall or on the ceiling between the listening position and the sound source.

Do I need absorption or diffusion?

A balance of absorption and diffusion is better for critical-listening rooms. Adding diffusion (see Fig. 3) keeps enough energy in the room to sound more natural while spreading out some of the reflected energy. As mentioned earlier, many people think absorption is the only available room treatment.

Do plastic sound diffusers work?

Glass is an example of a surface that we do not want to use for anything that involves critical listening audio. Foam is a sound absorption technology, not a sound diffuser material and you would never make a diffuser out of foam. Synthetics like plastics and glass are no good.

Do I need diffusers in my studio?

Consider diffusers on your rear wall if it’s at least 10 feet (3 meters) behind your listening position. Professional recording studio control rooms tend to use thick bass absorption on the rear wall. This way you can absorb bass reflections, without sucking all the liveliness out of your room.

When would you use a diffuser?

Plain and simple, a diffuser is used to fill the air in a room with tiny, breathable particles of beneficial essential oils—giving the room a calmer, more pleasant-smelling ambiance. “It’s well known that scent is associated strongly with memory,” says Benjamin.

When would you use a diffuser in a studio?

Generally speaking, the best place to put sound diffusers are at the primary reflective points in your listening room. This is the place where the sound from your speakers will first hit a wall or surface to reflect back.