Why is the Razorblade so deep?
The depth of a diffuser dictates how low the diffusion will affect the lowest frequency. Since sound becomes directional around 400Hz, the Razorblade was designed to help address this fundamental frequency. Also, 8" tends to be a fairly standard building dimension which therefore makes it easy to fit the geometry of most rooms.

So what's the deal with RPG's Flutter-Free™ diffusers?
RPG is one of the better manufacturers out there. They offer true quadratic diffusers for those that want full bandwidth performance like the Razorblade although they are somewhat more expensive. The Flutter-Free product is mass-produced from milled MDF board and usually used in combination with some sort of dividers to create wells. Although not a true QRD, they should be reasonably effective if you need to diffuse very high frequencies.

Why is the Razorblade so heavy?
To have any affect on bass, you need mass. This same perspective applies to building studio walls: increasing the mass keeps sound in or out of the room. Diffusers are no different, if they are made from lightweight plastic; bass will simply pass right through them.

What's up with the Auralex's plastic diffusers?
These light weight devices will certainly have a diffusive effect on upper frequencies, but since they are very light, they will have very little effect on lows. The small ribs which appear to protrude about ½" will likely affect the 6000Hz region. Because these are mass produced in a mold, they are very inexpensive to build and therefore should be relatively cheap to buy.

Will the Razorblade help control deep bass like a bass trap?
No not really. One could argue that low bass frequencies will cause the slats in the Razorblade that make up the wells to vibrate which in turn could dissipate some bass. We have not tested this and therefore have chosen to not promote this potential benefit.

Can I use Razorblades on the side walls?
Yes. Some studio and home theatre designers prefer to diffuse sound for a livelier environment and for this reason will sometimes choose sidewall diffusion over absorption. This is a matter of preference. Most designers apply absorptive devices to the side walls like Primacoustic Broadway panels as they are more affordable and require less space.

Can I use Razorblades on the ceiling like a cloud?
Yes, but be careful! Razorblades are very heavy and therefore not recommended. We feel a better solution would be to use an acoustic cloud like the Primacoustic Stratus. The Stratus is considerably less expensive, super easy to install and is highly effective at controlling sound in the critical mix position.

I have been told bookshelves work great as diffusers. Is this true?
Truth is, any type of device that is irregular in shape will have diffusive qualities. Bookshelves, equipment racks, and 3-dimentional artistic constructions can all serve to diffuse sound energy. The advantage of a true QRD or quadratic residue diffuser is that these have been carefully designed so that the reflected sound waves are harmonically dissociated with the source waves. This assures peaks due to room resonances are subdued and spread over time to create a more neutral listening space.

Can I build by own quadradic diffuser?
Of course! There are tons of examples to be found on the web and the math is not that difficult. If you have a lot of time on your hands, have access to a workshop and tools, and the patience to work out the math, building your own quadratic diffuser can be fun!

Can I order Razorblades in a different color?
No. In effort to keep the price down, we chose to mass produce the Razorblade in black. Although black may not work in all rooms, it is by far the most adaptable, especially for a device with a series of deep, dark holes!

Can I order some Razorblades in a different size?
No. Once again, because these are mass produced, we would have to arrange a complete setup to do a production run… If you need 24 units or more, call us and we will look into options.

How are Razorblades shipped?
Because of the weight and size, we recommend that the Razorblades be shipped on pallets via a commercial trucking company. They can be shipped via courier like UPS or FedEx, but they are more likely to sustain damage when shipped individually as most delivery people will slide and drop heavy items. In effort to reduce shipping damage, the left and right outer walls of the Razorblades are made of Plywood. Note: Primacoustic cannot be held responsible for damage due to freight handling!

Can Razorblades be flush-mounted inside a wall?
Yes of course! Razorblades can be surface mounted or flush mounted to create the look you prefer. The performance will be the same with either installation.