Home Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Speaker Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

RE: minimizing floor reflections

The floor reflection from a typical loudspeaker is nearly the same SPL as the direct sound, depending on the absorption properties of the floor. Carpeting will attenuate higher frequencies (>2kHz) but do next to nothing in the range 100 - 1000 Hz. The floor reflection causes a large dip in the frequency response at the listening position around 280 Hz, bump at 560 Hz, and smaller dip at 840 Hz (assuming speakers and ears are 3 feet above the floor and listening distance is 8 feet). If you measure the in-room frequency response at the listening position without spatial averaging for almost any loudspeaker, it is not a pretty sight with a very lumpy, uneven curve.

These dips and bumps in the frequency response affect the perceived tonal balance of the speaker and music source material. In my opinion the floor reflection also hurts the clarity of the sound.

An easy way to observe the influence by the floor reflection heard at the listening position is to place 2 large sheets of foam 4" (10cm) thick midway between you and each of the loudspeakers. Listen with and without the foam and take notes on the differences in tonal balance and clarity.

Donald North

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Parts Connexion  

Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
FAQ

Post a Message!

 Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]