Primacoustic FlexiFuser Combination Diffuser

Description

Primacoustic FlexiFuser Combination Diffuser

The Primacoustic FlexiFuser Combination Diffuser is equipped with six variable pitch slats that span the full top-to-bottom height. These are rotated at varying angles to disperse high frequencies, creating the desired energy spread that best suits the room and seating position. Behind the slats is a high-density 2″ (5.08cm) thick acoustic panel that effectively absorbs directional energy down to 250Hz while eliminating resonant build-up behind the slats.

Made from hard, heavy wood composite for maximum reflection, the Flexifuser ships flat to save freight. Assembly takes less than 15 minutes using standard household tools. The 3″ (7.62cm) wide slats can be fixed in a predetermined position using the supplied guide pins or left free to rotate after assembly is complete. The absorptive acoustic panel is made from 6lb high-density glass wool for even absorption right down into the critical lower mid range zone. Micromesh encapsulated with resin hardened edges, the Broadway panel is then covered in an architecturally neutral grey fabric that easily integrates into most room décors.

FlexiFuser-slats-ani3FlexiFusers are typically mounted behind the listening position in an array of three or more units that span the width of the work area and are hung in place using a simple French cleat. Once in position, they introduce a sense of space and air into the room while absorbing powerful reflections, standing waves and bothersome flutter echo. This makes the Flexifuser particularly well suited for control rooms, more demanding home theatres and smaller studios where near-wall primary reflections are of utmost concern.

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Features

• Combination variable slat diffuser and absorber
• Eliminates flutter echo and standing waves
• Allows you to adjust diffusion angles to suit
• Ideal for recording studios and home theater

Diffusion – breaking up high frequency energy
There are many types of diffusers and they pretty much have one thing in common: they feature some form of irregular pattern designed to reflect energy back into the room at various angles by breaking up directional energy.

Some high-end diffusers are designed in such a manner to ensure all frequencies are broken up evenly via a carefully designed phase trap. These are painstakingly difficult to produce and end up being quite expensive. At the other extreme are products like the Radiator that employ a basic grid design that cause sound arriving at oblique angles to randomly spread into the room. These are easier to build, not quite as effective but are considerably more affordable.

The Flexifuser sits in between. It employs a series of variable pitch slats that can be rotated so that sound can be deflected away from the listening position. This increases the sense of space or air in the room. The simple design is particularly cool because you can optimize the dispersion pattern to suit the seating position.

Absorption: controlling sound and resonance
Where the Flexifuser differs is that it combines diffusion with absorption. Think of it like a two way speaker where high frequencies are generated by a tweeter and lows by a woofer. In this case, highs are dispersed by the variable pitch slats and the lows are absorbed by the acoustic panel in behind.controlling-sound

The acoustic panel itself is a custom cut 2″ thick Broadway panel. Because it is offset from the wall with an air gap, the low frequency performance is extended by about an extra half octave. This means that it will be 80% effective down to 250Hz putting well below what most consider to be the directional frequency zone (above 300Hz). Any high frequencies that get past the slats will be absorbed and any sound that gets trapped behind the slats that could potentially cause resonance will also get taken out.

Combined approach: controlling directional frequencies
As mentioned above, acousticians generally agree that sound tends to beam or be directional above 300Hz. The task of a diffuser is in fact to diffuse this energy. Since high frequencies contain less energy than their lower counterparts, they are much easier to manage. Therefore, diffusing high frequencies above 1000Hz is not difficult. Where things get to be a challenge is down low. By using simple quarter-wavelength calculations, you need a device that is 8″ deep to diffuse 400Hz.

It is important to note that without mass, sound will pass right through. For instance a plastic bag will not contain sound even though it can contain air. It is for this reason that the Flexifuser in made from a heavy, wood composite; when sound hits the slats, most of it will reflect back into the room.

Basic math will tell you that a 4″ deep device will diffuse energy above 800Hz or one octave above. But to effectively diffuse energy down to 200Hz, one would have to produce a diffuser that is 16″ deep which is impractical. This is why the Flexifuser is so cool. Instead of trying to diffuse the energy below the directional frequency, it is absorbed using the acoustic panel.

Specifications

The FlexiFuser is a combination diffuser and absorber that helps eliminate standing waves and flutter echo without over deadening the room.

The innovative design begins with six variable pitch slats (A) that can be rotated or set in position to redirect sound energy away from the primary listening space. Behind the slats is a high density 6lb glass-wool absorber (B). This works double duty by eliminating any internal resonance while further absorbing unwanted room reflections. This is augmented with air space behind the panel to increase bass absorption.

The outer frame (F) is made from easy to clean black melamine coated MDF wood composite. The FlexiFuser ships flat in kit form to save freight costs and assembles in about 30 minutes using standard household tools. Once together, the device is wall mounted using the supplied French cleats. The FlexiFuser comes with a grey acoustic panel.