GIK Acoustics has added a new option to its growing diffuser lineup with the release of the Q11D, a one-dimensional quadratic diffuser designed to address midrange and upper-mid reflections with greater precision. Built on the foundation of the company’s well-established Q7D, the Q11D shifts the focus higher in frequency by using an 11-root well sequence, making it a useful tool for larger rooms and more demanding acoustic environments.
Quadratic diffusion remains one of the most predictable ways to manage reflections without stripping a space of energy. Instead of absorbing sound, the Q11D redistributes it, helping rooms retain natural decay while reducing flutter echo and directional reflections. This makes it especially relevant for mix rooms, mastering spaces, live rooms, and high-performance listening environments where clarity and spatial balance matter.
What the Q11D Does Differently From the Q7D
The most important distinction between the Q11D and the Q7D comes down to frequency behavior. By increasing the root sequence from seven to eleven and narrowing the wells, the Q11D pushes its effective range higher into the midrange while maintaining consistent scattering behavior. According to GIK, the Q11D provides meaningful diffusion starting around 570 Hz and remains even and controlled up to approximately 3.9 kHz.
Physically, the panel is slightly wider than the Q7D, which allows the two models to be combined in modular arrays. This opens up more flexible treatment designs, especially in rooms where controlling a broader frequency range without overusing absorption is the goal. The narrower wells also introduce more complexity in how reflections are scattered, which can help smooth out midrange decay times in larger spaces.
Construction follows GIK’s existing standards, using CNC-cut wood laminate panels available in multiple finishes, including Beech, Walnut, Black, and White. Both full-height and Demi versions are available, making it easier to work around ceiling height limitations or to build staggered diffusion patterns.
Where the Q11D Makes the Most Sense
The Q11D is well suited for rear-wall diffusion in mix and mastering rooms, where controlling reflections without deadening the space is often a challenge. It also works effectively behind dipole or open-baffle speakers, as well as along front or rear side walls in two-channel and surround systems.
In live rooms, particularly those used for percussion or acoustic instruments, the Q11D helps maintain liveliness while preventing harsh reflections from building up in the midrange. Larger rooms and auditoria benefit most, as quadratic diffusion becomes more effective when there is enough space for scattered sound to develop naturally.
Pricing places the Q11D firmly in line with GIK’s existing diffuser offerings, starting at $399 USD for the standard size, with region-specific pricing available in the UK and EU. As with the rest of GIK’s lineup, the company also offers free acoustic consultation, which remains one of the most practical ways to determine whether diffusion, absorption, or a hybrid approach is appropriate for a given room.
For studios and listening rooms already using the Q7D, the Q11D adds a complementary option rather than a replacement. Used together, the two panels allow for more nuanced control of reflection behavior across the mid and high frequency range, without sacrificing the sense of space that diffusion is designed to preserve.
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