Summary:
After I purchased a set of B&W 801's it became obvious that my listening room needed help. The bass that sounded taught and plentiful in the stereo store sounded like mud in my home. I had confidence in every other part of the system (Mark Levinson front,Krell FPB600 amp, Transparent Cables)so I was fairly certain the problem was the room. I tried to take the cheap way out and bought three Argent RoomLenses. Their installation instructions suggested that all other acoustic treatments be removed from the room. I tried this and the results were horrific. After many different RoomLens and speaker setups, I gave up and contacted ASC. They provided prompt attention to my problem. After providing a set of room drawings I received a two proposals at different price points for a remedy. Their confidence in their product plus the favorable reviews persuaded my to make a purchase. I was not disappointed.

After setting up there stacks behind my speaker (left corner, center, right corner, 11" full rounds on top of 16" full rounds, I found the image, detail, timbre and soundstage width to be greatly improved. All this without any speaker movement or fiddling with reflective/absorbing side movement. These devices are the same as a major component upgrade.

The support I received from ASC before and after the sale is also noteworthy. The quality of construction is also superb. Five stars for service, function and quality.

Strengths:
Effectiveness, Flexibility, Build Quality, Factory Support

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
RPG Foam, Room Lenses

Summary:
ASC Tube Traps are broadband sound absorbers that are designed to tame low frequency problems in a room. They may be called "bass traps" by some but they have a profound effect on the treble range. They are lightweight, easy to move, easy to clean and can be grouped or stacked.

When I set up an M&K 750THX system with an M&K MX-200 subwoofer in a small 13' X 13' X 10' room for home theater and music I knew it was going to be an acoustic nightmare. Moreover I have all concrete walls which keeps the bass in the room. I nearly cried when I first listened to the set up because it was unlistenable: BOOMY bass, poor imaging and terrible slap echo.

Ive long known about ASC from reading Stereophile and seeing that so many people used their tube traps in trade shows, demo rooms etc to solve acoustic problems, I decided they must be worth their salt and bought a pair of Super-16s and then later a pair of Super-20s factory direct since there is no dealer here in Singapore. I bought them without ever listening to a "trapped" set-up.

Well, the tube traps really work, and made a bigger impact and improvement to things tahn I thought it would!

I tried a variety of configurations but settled with the larger SUper-20s in the front corners with the backfiring subwoofer firing into the trap and the Super-16s flanking the front LC speakers, immediately beside them in what ASC calls "acoustical shadow casting".

What I heard was substantially reduced bass boom, tighter, deepr bass and almost no slap echo and much better pin point imaging.

A lot has been written about tube traps in 2 channel audio but little in the context of home theater. What I found in using the tube traps in a 5.1 set up was that the coherence of the surround soundfield (pass-bys, fly-bys) was greatly improved. And because first reflections off the side walls are killed by flanking the left-right speakers, I heard all sorts of small nuances and details in the center channel
speaker that were previosuly obscured.

Another thing I find wonderful about the tube traps is that its seems to quieten the room such that it is possible to listen at a reduced volume and yet still hear the little details.

Overall, Im very pleased.

One more thing should be pointed out: ASC has excellent sales and after-sales service. I bought factory direct, and found them to be very friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. They respond very quickly and will give you all manner of advice and suggestions.

Strengths:
Very effective. Astonishing results even in small rooms.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
They are incredible!!!! I said "they" because you need buy a lot for a good result; but if you are rich they are indispensable.

Summary:
I have a small, square room. It measures roughly 16' x 15' x 8'. It is an acoustical nightmare. I got so frustrated by its boominess, that I finally took the plunge, and picked up two 9" full round Tube Traps. I really wanted the larger ones, but they would have taken up too much space in this small and crowded room.
In short, these have been a godsend. I have finally solved the problem of excess upper and mid bass. NOW, I can hear what my system really sounds like. And, I no longer get headaches, due to that stupid boomy bass.

C'mon, fellas, it's time you stopped wasting your money, by playing around with cables. For the money, the most cost effective improvements are (1) room acoustic treatments, and (2) powerline conditioning.

You really have no excuse, now. Tube Traps come in a variety of sizes and shapes. And for just a few more bucks, you can choose from a variety of cool-man colors. Tube Traps are flexible, too, in that one half is treble reflective, while the other 180 degrees are treble absorptive.

I don't think you'll be hearing from me any time soon. I'm too busy enjoying my system. Problem solved. For all you poor souls (and I am one) with small rooms, drop what you are doing, and try out some Tube Traps. And hey, if Tube Traps can work wonders with a little room, I wonder how they'll help those with large, cavernous rooms.

I can't recommend these more strongly. I'd give 'em ten stars, if I could.