Recording March 2022 - 38

LISTENING TO ARCHITECTURE
The Russ Berger Interview
Photo: Fo Yo Soul control room featuring SSL
AWS console and custom Quested monitoring
mounting can eliminate many unwanted sound reflections at
the listening position when configured with properly shaped
geometry and absorptive treatments. Unfortunately, proper
soffit mounting techniques also cost more to construct. A bad
soffit configuration can be worse than free-field mounting.
Even with free stranding speakers, you still want to consider and
control reflected energy, ideally to provide a direct anechoic response
from the speaker to the listener and to control the bandwidth
and amplitude of the reflected energy that arrives later in time. The
result of thoughtful design done correctly can help our neurology differentiate
between direct sound and ambiance, resulting in a more
accurate monitor reference. Of course, without proper placement
of the speaker in relation to the walls, floor and ceiling, you can
end up with unpleasant consequences from equal distances and
multiples, which could be an hour-long discussion in itself.
What are your thoughts on subwoofers?
I have heard some people claim that they can locate the subwoofer
position in the room by listening, and because of this,
never use them. I'd argue, you can't locate much below 100 Hz
if the device is performing properly. If you can locate the subwoofer
in the room, typically, you are hearing voice coil scrape
or deformation of the cone as it moves. You're hearing issues
with the cone surround, resonances in the box volume, or port
chuffing-you're literally hearing the result of a poorly designed
device. That's why a good subwoofer is so doggone expensive.
Another issue is the relationship of the speaker to the locally
reacting surfaces. At high frequencies we concentrate more
on specular reflection control, at low frequencies we have to
be mindful of the geometric relationships of the device to the
volumetric boundaries of the space. In a home studio, when
you're on a budget and need to get the most accurate, full
range performance you can, a 2.1 system is oftentimes the
best solution. By adding a subwoofer to a two-channel system
38 RECORDING March 2022
and crossing over at 80 Hz to 120 Hz or so, your top speakers
are not crossed down into that range where the wavelength
of sound is interacting as strongly with the boundaries of the
space. This provides freedom in positioning them in more practical
configurations. With that LF problem eliminated, we can
focus on placing the subwoofer in its optimal position.
Over time we developed optimized soffit mounting techniques,
which included mechanically isolating the speakers to minimize energy
transfer into the room's structure. With both soffit-mounted and
freestanding monitoring setups, low frequency airborne sound can
energize any flimsy, diaphragmatic construction in your room. The
speed of sound through construction materials is typically faster than
through air; room boundary surfaces briefly store and then release
both structure-borne and airborne sound back into the space. The
result of that energy combining with the direct response is lots of
big swimmy bass lacking in definition. A way to help mitigate those
issues is to use massive and well-damped construction.
My favorite subwoofers make twoway
main monitors sound like a good
three-way system-no big booms.
I'm in total agreement. This assumes that we're talking with
people who want an accurate response that still inspires and
that's fun to listen to, but isn't just, wow man, my pant leg
moved, and my heart stopped. At that point, adding a monster
sub is more about audio jewelry than accurate reference.
When someone approaches you to help
them design a bedroom or a garage-based
studio, where do you start, and how do you
balance hopes, dreams, wants and needs?
I want to think that's where we offer the most benefit as professional
consultants. I mean, anybody can stick fuzz on the walls,
run basic formulas and put some bass traps in and stuff. But every
situation, every room is different, and peoples' needs are different
and that's beyond basic band-aid and perfume treatments. The
laws of physics don't change, but peoples' needs do. Acoustical
performance recommendations should be appropriate for the intended
use and with regard to practical matters like workflow,
existing conditions, cost of construction, and project schedule as a
part of managing the design and construction process.
Recording March 2022

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