honestly, I'm pretty happy with the results as long as I don't let my latent OCD pay too much attention to things not being lined up perfectly. I'd say that out of 19 panels I placed in the room, probably 2 or 3 are hanging in a way or in a location I'd wished I changed. Planning is everything and hopefully some of the issues I uncovered will help you ensure that every one of your panels hangs straight and true with a minimum of fuss.

After Treatments

Listening Tests

While this would be the point in the review where I'd talk about increased bass output and a more even frequency response in my home theater, remember, this is a Podcast room. Once I mounted all 19 panels in my itty-bitty office, it was so dead and sounded so weird that people (other than me) don't like being in my office. This, of course, is a HUGE plus. Just get out. Don't touch anything and get out. This is my land, it is mine, it is beautiful and it is mine. Go away.

But it isn't like I don't listen to music in my office. I do. All the time. In fact, while I was moving in the panels and mounting them I could hear an audible change in the music. Of course, the first change was that the bass tightened up. That was really clear. But as I moved in more panels I started to notice an increased separation of the music. As if each of the speakers were becoming isolated from each other. While I could maintain a decent soundstage with the proper seat position (i.e. - equidistant from each speaker), all I needed to do was move a hair closer to one speaker to hear that one more prominently. Good for music playback? Not so much, but GREAT for mixing audio.

Recommendations

The Chameleon Bass Traps have a lot going for them especially if you put them together yourself and buy them in bulk. They are a little heavy and I'd personally give up a bit of their stability for a weight decrease though I'm not sure this would significantly affect the ease in hanging. I'd like to see some sort of top mount for the wall mounts that will ensure the proper distance from the wall without having to rely on the strap or a bungee.

Conclusion

One of my big pet peeves is people that say, "I can't get room treatments because my spouse will hate them." Bull. You're not trying, you spineless wimp. There are so many options out there that are both effective and aesthetically pleasing that I can't believe room treatments aren't the FIRST thing people do. You can't swing a dead cat on HGTV and not hit a wall that's had a couple of blue boxes painted on it "for effect." Switch out the paint for a panel and you're golden. Now, Ready Acoustics is giving you the option to customize your panels however you want. Really, this review should be entitled "How NOT to set up panels in your Home Theater." You definitely don't want this much absorption in a true listening environment. It feels weird, it sounds weird, and overall, it is weird. But it is great for recording. The Ready Acoustics Chameleon Bass Traps worked as advertised. They are great to look at, the absorb sound as promised, and they are easy to hang. If you're a DIY'er or want to have them arrive fully assembled, Ready Acoustics will accommodate.

Chameleon Bass Traps
$129.99 each

 Ready Acoustics LLC
PO Box 626
Elk River , MN 55330
Phone: 612-817-8844
Fax: 866-320-1800

http://www.readyacoustics.com/

About Ready Acoustics
Ready Acoustics is based in Minnesota and President, Joel DuBay Sr., is a professional, (hard to please) musician. It is his extremely cost conscious, high quality attitude that realized the need for an acoustic product that would look great, sound amazing and cost far less than any comparable solution. With years of recording music for CD and film, Joel wanted to provide a perfect acoustical solution for those who were cost conscious, but were wary of products that were "cheap". In the end, Ready Traps have become known for their super high quality, effectiveness, elegant looks and ability to help those who need a complete, "turn-key" solution or who want to do part of the work themselves, anywhere in the World.