DIY Acoustic Panels - "Transparent" Fabric Question

[mlammert]

I am getting ready to build some DIY acoustic panels for my listening room. I am building 5 of these panels; one for a ceiling cloud and two on each side wall (one for first reflection point and one for second reflection point on each wall). I have tested this by hanging some blankets and quilts at the reflection points and the results were very positive.

I am using Roxul Safe 'n' Sound for the absorption material. Still trying to decide on fabric to wrap them with. Might use calico or burlap from local Joann Fabric.

I am basing these generally off of these ideas:

http://acousticsfreq.com/how-to-build-your-own-acoustic-panels/

http://grizzlyaudio.blogspot.com/p/how-to-acoustic-diy-panels.html

I am also building "reflection" panels for my Statement speakers that I built (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthr...s-Build-Thread). The Statement speakers have open mids so that they reflect off the back and side walls. My issue is my side walls are irregular and absorbent, so I am going to make "reflection" panels to place on the side walls. I have tested this using plain plywood and the improvement is phenomenal - broader sound stage, more precise imaging, more 3d sound, etc.

My main question is, if I am using acoustically "transparent" fabric for the absorption panels, could I also cover the "reflection" panels with the fabric so that they all look the same?

My guess/hope would be yes since the fabric is suppose to let the sound go through it. So, my thinking is the sound should still "reflect." But, I was hoping to get some more sage advice from forum members.

Thanks!

[wkhanna]

my 'best guess' is that any absorption would be so small as to be insignificant.....

[mlammert]

Thanks, Bill!

Does anyone have any recommendations or posts regarding fabric to wrap my panels in?

I have done multiple searches and the top fabric recommendations seem to be:
burlap
felt
duck canvas/cloth
jet set
keepsake calico

Does anybody have any experience using any of the above materials? All the research that I have done point to all of the above being acoustically transparent.

I like the idea of burlap or keepsake calico so that I am not stuck with a solid color (at least burlap would have a texture to it). However, most of the burlap I can find is so open weave that I would either need two layers of it or I would need to put a solid fabric under it (which has been recommended a few times).

I just get nervous with the fabric as I don't know when I start loosing the "transparency" of it. I do the breath test but that seems so subjective to me.

Thanks again!

[Steve Manning]

You might want to look at these guys for some ideas with fabrics. http://www.gikacoustics.com/product/...c-by-the-yard/

[mlammert]

Thanks, Steve!

Unfortunately, $16.49 a yard is a bit more than I was looking to spend. I also need less than 8 yards.

I was trying to stick with fabric I could buy locally (at Joann Fabric). The fabrics I posted above can all be sourced locally.