Based on the golden-ratio, offset pyramid… both the Acoustics First® Pyramids and QuadraPyramids have a great deal in common. They are asymmetric in their scattering, which reduces lobing. They have different sized surfaces of different angles, which impose different polar radiation patterns at different frequencies. Both allow for redirection, while allowing much of the signal phase to remain intact, which keeps a great deal of energy moving together, which works great for performance spaces. However, there are some subtle differences which change how these units perform and how you maximize their use.

While both the Pyramidal and the QuadraPyramid come in a 2’x2′ format, the QuadraPyramid packs 4 pyramids into that footprint. That isn’t the only difference though. The depth of the QuadraPyramid is only about 2-3/4″ to the 8″ deep single peak of the classic Pyramidal. On top of that, the Pyramidal comes in different sizes and ratios of length to width including a 4’x4′ and a 2’x4′ at up to 13″ deep.

These different sizes do more than change their aesthetic. The large pyramid geometry allows for greater impact on lower frequencies, as the longer wavelengths are less skewed by small surfaces. The different ratios and sizes also changes the angle of throw off the surfaces, allowing for more options to redirect the sound. The larger surfaces also impose some limitations to their use. Being physically larger means that the listener will need to be further away from the device to allow the reflections to spread out, and the greater depth means that, at certain angles, the geometry can place other devices in their acoustic shadow. The larger pyramids work great in larger rooms with high ceilings, where they can be placed higher in the room. This makes them ideal for performance spaces and large band/music practice rooms – where everyone is spread around and needs to be able to hear everyone else.

The QuadraPyramids have a higher density of reflective faces per square foot. There are 16 facets on a 2’x2′ QuadraPyramid, which means more smaller faces to reflect sound. These faces are optimized for higher frequencies which have shorter wavelengths – but the profiles are actually better suited for smaller rooms with lower ceilings. In smaller studios, listening rooms, and media spaces, space is at a premium, and having a large diffuser hanging a foot down from the ceiling would be more of an impediment. This is where the QuadraPyramids shine. Their low-profile and many facets allow for sounds to spread out while breaking up flutter echoes and reducing other higher frequency artifacts.

Finally, the size of the cavity behind the larger pyramid allows for greater bass trapping, especially with the ability to fill the cavity with fluffy insulation. While the QuadraPyramid still imparts some absorption due to the resonance of the thermoformed plastic material, it is more focused at the resonant frequency (250Hz) – while the larger pyramids have a wider frequency range they affect.

While the Pyramid and the QuadraPyramid have their roots in the same geometry, their specific implementation changes their performance characteristics to provide more options in treating your space. Using the right treatment changes depending on the space and its function… even two identical rooms can have drastically different performance requirements – needing drastically different treatments. Acoustically, a Quadrapyramid is drastically different than a 2’x4′ Pyramid – but fundamentally, at their core, they are very similar.