Diffuser or Absorber? What Is My CD Case In Terms Of R.T.?

[Bonzo]

The center back wall of my room is covered with a large homemade CD case that basically goes from floor to ceiling (about 8 feet tall) and covers about 7 feet of the center (side to side) of the 15-16 foot wide room. So basically it's about 8 feet tall and 7 feet wide. The case is made from many old Laserline CD-90 black plastic cases stacked together within a wood structure.

The important part to consider here is that my case has slots for each CD. They are not packed super tight together, but instead have air gaps in-between each and every jewel case. (Yes, when I get new CD's it's a super pain and takes an entire night to move them all , but I love and must have my slots).

With that in mind, I'm thinking my case winds up acting as a bit of both, diffuser and absorber.

Anyone have an opinion or actual information? I was just wondering. No biggie if no one knows.

I kind of feel like this case is actually serving some secondary duty and inadvertent good in terms of sound quality in my room. Until I got my new flat panel TV I've never found the need for any room treatment what so ever (which is also fully carpeted/padded with a large cloth recliner and sectional). Again, just curious that's all.

Thanks ---- Bonzo

[The Mad Norseman]

Hey Bonzo, sounds more like a 'diffuser' than an 'absorber' to me...
All hard surfaces, but with many gaps and ins and outs.
Its a start, and better than a flat/hard wall I think, but a mix of the two types of treatments usually yields the best results.
If you don't have it already, I'd recommend Jim Smith's book for room treatment recommendations, placements, types, etc.

[jlafrenz]

^ Agree. It is still a hard surface so I would call it a diffuser. I also agree with the recommended book. It is an easy read and has some helpful tips.

[yves]

It's been tried before. (See reply #5 in the discussion thread linked below).

www.gearslutz.com/board/studio-building-acoustics/635956-bookshelf-diffuser.html

[Bonzo]

Thanks guys for the input.

What ever it is, it certainly does something because without it on the wall my room definitely sounds different. I had it down last year making additions to it and the sound in the room had more "bounce". In other words it had more noticeable reflections that tainted the sound and made things less clear. Even our voices talking had too much liveliness to them. The room sounds much more natural with the CD case in place, and that's a good thing.

I'll put that book on my next buy list for sure.

Thanks again ---- Bonzo

[jackfish]

Ideally, one would want a couple of broadband absorption panels on the back wall behind the listener.