PSI Audio AVAA C20 Active Bass Trap

The PSI AVAA C20 active bass trap is designed to absorb the standing modes in your listening room between 15 and 150 Hz. It is all analog, using no DSP and emitting no signals of it's own. It is purely subtractive, has zero latency, and is totally silent.

The 15-100hz range of frequencies out of the range of most bass traps. The amount of real estate that would be needed to control this range of frequencies in a room with conventional bass traps would be cost, and in most cases, space prohibitive.

The unique and patented design of the AVAA is far more efficient and takes up way less space than conventional bass traps designed to absorb this range of frequencies. Each operating AVAA in your room will have the same effect as a hole in the wall much larger than the dimensions of the AVAA (that is 0.2 m2) itself. The exact ratio will depend on the frequency and environment but typically range between 5 and 20 times.

Set up couldn't be easier. First, find the area in your room where the bass frequencies are strongest, this is usually in a corner or along the wall. Set the AVAA in that zone, plug it in, turn it on. That's it. There is no calibration, or complicated procedures for it to start evening out your low frequencies.

What you should hear

You will hear and feel the effects immediately. Low bass frequencies will smooth out considerably, which will open up the midrange and high frequencies as well. Gone will be the congestion at lower frequencies, and your room will actually sound "larger" than it is at these frequencies. It's a very cool psychoacoustic result.

FEATURE SUMMARY:

• The AVAA absorbs room modes between 15 and 100 Hz
• 100% ANALOG, no DSP, no latency
• Effective as perfect absorber up to 25 times its size
• No calibration or settings are required. Literally plug and play.
• No sound emitted and no alteration of the sound source
• 2 AVAAs will make a significant difference in normal sized studios
• Works in any type of room: recording, mixing, mastering, listening

The AVAA will affect the impedance of the air and reduce low frequencies around it. Therefore the best position to place an AVAA is in the most rigid corners as that is where all room modes will be most present. As we always state, it is critical to work on loudspeaker placement first. Optimizing for the best imaging and flattest in-room response.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
the built in microphone measures the acoustic pressure in front of an acoustic resistance.The acoustic resistance is designed to let air through but reducing significantly the pressure.

Behind the acoustic resistance, a transducer membrane is driven to absorb the volume of air going through the acoustic resistance as well as ensuring a specific acoustic impedance in front of this acoustic resistance.

When in function, this acoustic impedance in front of the acoustic resistance is significantly lower than in ambient air and therefore acts as a pressure sink. The acoustic impedance of the air is affected typically over a radius of 1 to 1.5 m around the AVAA. This explains how the AVAA can be more absorbent that its actual surface of perfect absorber.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

• Time: it will significantly reduce reverberation time in these frequencies especially on room modes.
• Frequency: with more precise and tighter bass, the masking effect of higher frequencies is reduced. Details in higher frequencies also become clearer.
• Space: with less indirect sound in the room, the location of the sound is more accurate making the sound image more precise.

HOW MANY DO YOU NEED?

2 AVAAs will have a significant effect in most rooms. Depending on the dimension and type of room as well as the result required, between 2 and 4 AVAAs are necessary for most normal size rooms (20 and 80 m2). For very small rooms a minimum of two AVAAs is still recommended to have a symmetrical effect. For larger rooms please consult an acoustician or PSI Audio directly.

PLACEMENT

Method 1:

The most effective position for the AVAA is in a location where the walls contribute most to the room modes that are disturbing in the listening position. In practice it is very easy to position the AVAA effectively after a few comparative trials.

The starting position is in corners behind the source speakers as this is the most effective position in a majority of cases. However, depending on the structure of the room boundaries and listening position, other AVAA locations might turn out to be more effective. Try positioning them in different corner or against walls and evaluate effectiveness.

In practice it is quick and easy finding the best location by following the basic rules:

• AVAAs positioned in corners are more effective
• AVAAs located against rigid walls are more effective

Bear in mind that the AVAA is designed to absorb long wavelengths and therefore there is little very little to gain by positioning the AVAA with great precision.

Method 2:

A more technical 2 step process can also be used to identify the best location for the AVAAs.

1 - Identify the disturbing room modes:

Assuming the loudspeakers and listening position have been set, measure the frequency decay time in the listening position.

Note that the most disturbing room modes are the ones with the longest extinction time and not necessarily the peaks and nulls that are the result of inevitable first reflections. You may typically identify 3 to 6 modes.

2. Identify the highest pressure zones for each problematic room mode:

Play a sine wave at the frequency of each disturbing room mode (for example, 32Hz, 77Hz, 112Hz…)

For each of these frequencies, walk around the walls of the room and note down the highest-pressure areas. You can do this with a sound level meter or listening with a single ear.

As a result you should have a map of your room highlighting the wall areas most contributing to each disturbing room mode. This will clearly show the best location for the AVAAs.

REVIEWS

• Stereophile
• Sound on Sound

In-Home Auditions

We can offer in-home auditions of the PSI Audio AVAA for those seriously considering this product. Please contact us for details.