BDA Manual is very confusing and conflicting-Acoustics Forum-Acoustic Fields Forum

High Dennis,

I have purchased the PDA + Diffuser Kit. Everything seemed fine. After seeing thru the Building Manual I have found very conflicting issues with it on the PDA plan. It starts with the building material list in which 3/4″ and 1/2″ MDF is used but on a perfect picture on page 9 it shows 1″ MDF. I would have to assume that this is an old manual because on page 9 ” Layered View” there is definitely 1″ MDF being used.

Also there are drawings in there that do not fit and correspond to the drawings on page 9 because this one shows a double top and bottom wall which they “Layered” view does not but the image is much better itself (therefor thinking it is the correct one)…in fact this view shows no top or bottom at all.

Also the “Layered” view does not show 1/2″ MDF for the filler sections because on the picture it has been milled into the side walls with a tool.

All walls on the Layered view PDA are 1″ MDF and not 3″4″ as mentioned in the Manual.

There are pictures and explanation in the manual that always talks about 3/4″ MDF and 1/2″ for outside cover and I think on page 25/figure 11 you can even see a double back wall attached to it that cannot been never seen anywhere else.

Also on the same picture this one does not have the double “flexible” 3/8″ and 1/4″ covers but only one, so it most definitely is and old drawing from years ago.

Like to comment on this:

I understand this is a relatively cheap deal and you are not making a lot of money from it but it was as an offer on your page and I took this opportunity. However that should not mean I should have to worry or being concerned about building this unit now. I am an Engineer myself and when I see conflicting interpretations, pictures, different none matching contradiction pictures and instructions in an manual red flags goes up, you understand what I mean and this happens really regardless of the price…even if you gave it to me because now it worthless to me because same as with the concept of room acoustics…if one does not understand it you cannot do anything because your words: it is a guess game, I do not want to guess. You have stated also this was a highly engineered piece of acoustic absorber and cannot be altered in any way and that goes for wall thickness as well I would think.

To make this whole project now feasible for me I need to know one thing: which of the information now is correct? Is it the picture on page 9, 33, from the Layered View” correct (perhaps with no double top and bottom), milled inserts for

the Peg board and sluts, or is the older version of your instruction correct or a mix of it because nobody cared or had the time to put everything together in a correct time line since 2016 I guess or does it not matter at all?

I am sorry to say this but you are lecturing us with good cause about all the mistakes we are making in regards to Room acoustics and again rightfully so but at least I can expect a fully understandable manual with clear instructions so

that there are no question need to be asked when I try to better myself. At least not over imperial stuff like the correct building wall thickness and strength of the materials itself. I have assumption what is right but I am not sure it should be crystal clear what is being meant. Can you elaborate on this please, thanks.

P.S.
I know your time is precious but so is mine a few clear statements is really all I need from you. For example if picture on page 9 is correct and you verified this just say so then this is all I would need to know but it but I suspect there has been a mix up with old and newer technology and building instruction that has not yet been taken care of.

I am asking for clear instruction on building the PDA in regards to double bottom and top or not, milled sluts or 1/2″ MDF for dividers, 1″ or 3/4″ for walls, double rear wall or not..I am trying to get this right and not having to worry if it is.

Take care
Ernst