Live Plants as Acoustic Room Treatment

[PHC1]

Never underestimate live plants and their ability to add nice amount of diffusion to "relax" the sound and tame some of the reflections. No, they are not quite as effective as panels all over the room but one will be surprised how much they do effect the overall speaker to room interaction.

So before adding some of the specialty panels, I wanted to add appealing to the eye acoustic helpers in the form of live plants which I enjoy.

This morning I added a nice Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) front and center for the window/glass treatment. Glass is always problematic but between the shades which I use in a 45 deg angle and the generous diffusive area of the broad leaves of the Peace Lily, it worked like magic. Noticeable increase in imaging focus and added sense of coherence. Most noticeable on vocal tracks.

For the left side after I decided to add a taller, vertical plant to diffuse the sound before it has a chance to create lots of early reflections from the computer desk and the lamp. That was the right call after experimenting with the Left and Right position of the tall Corn Plant (Massangeana Dracaena) of the tropical African climate region that do well indoors.

Another benefit is humidity control and I am a big believer in proper humidity not only as a health benefit but humidity has a direct effect on sound propagation and proper humidity rooms make the sound just a bit more lively and natural.

I have taken this approach before with positive results and this time is no different.

The sound improvement was very noticeable and I am happy to have a few more live plants to share the Jazz Room with. Total cost including pots was less than $200.

All frequencies are affected although not proportionally. Having said that, even bass will benefit slightly.

I have no major issues with any hardness of tone, early reflections, ringing or bass bloat/overhang in this room.

I have spent 10x more and had less in return in the past...

Highly recommend going the live or even artificial plants route if a room full of acoustic panels is less desirable.

Proof/listening test:

Youtube is no quality conveyor of sound but if you know what you are listening for, it serves its purpose.



The all important midrange: https://youtu.be/zny5etnSSPQ





Bass resolution/articulation:

Also of note is that these are the EL34 running in Triode Mode or approximately 35w of power. The musicality and the gutsy drive of an EL34 is simply stunning. https://youtu.be/jQxQh8-WjXU

[Antonmb]

Nice room Serge. And my wife will be glad to hear that plants are good for acoustics.[emoji41]

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Nice room Serge. And my wife will be glad to hear that plants are good for acoustics.[emoji41]

Thanks Tony. They are not just good but excellent for acoustics, air quality and humidity. Plants increase humidity in the air through a process called evapotranspiration.

Ferrari factory actually has many leafy trees and plants inside for humidity control for both the worker's benefit and their technology such as sand molds that they use to make aluminum castings.