Wilson Audio WATCH Center Channel Series 1 - Manual (Page 22)

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diffuse.
Slap echo is a common acoustical problem in the typical domestic listening
room because most of these rooms have walls of a hard, reflective nature, usually
being only occasionally interrupted by curtains or furniture. Slap echo can be con-
trolled entirely by the application of absorptive materials to hard surfaces, such as:
• Illbruck Sonex®
• Airduct board
• Cork panels
• Large ceiling to floor drapes
• Carpeting to wall surfaces
In many domestic listening environments, heavy, stuffed furnishings are
the primary structural control to slap echo. Unfortunately, their effectiveness is
not predictable. Diffusers are sometimes also used to very good subjective effect,
particularly in quite large rooms. Sound absorbent materials, such as described
above, will alter the tonal characteristic of the room by making it sound “deader,”
much heavier in bass tonal balance, less “bright and alive,” and “quieter.” These
changes usually make the room more pleasant for conversation, but sometimes ren-
der it too dull in the high frequencies to be musically involving. Diffusers, on the
other hand, tend to not change the high frequency tonal balance characteristic of
the room. Used properly, they can increase transparency. Used incorrectly, how-