What Is LEDE Room Design? - Home Studio Acoustics Setup Guide

A lot of people ask us, what is the best way to set up my home studio? In reality, there is no single cookie cutter answer. However, the LEDE room design concept is a great framework for developing an acoustic treatment plan for your home studio!

What does LEDE mean?

A LEDE (Live-End-Dead-End) room is an acoustic design concept for a room that aims to achieve an even sound distribution throughout the listening space. The acoustic treatment for a LEDE room involves creating a balance between the sound-absorbing materials, acoustic diffusion, and reflective surfaces in the space.

In a LEDE room, the idea is to absorb sound up front and diffuse sound in the back. This gives you clarity and focus at your listening position while still keeping the room natural and lively.

Dead End (Front of the Room)

This is where your studio monitors are. The goal here is to absorb early reflections before they bounce back to your ears. Using absorptive panels or acoustic foam at the front wall and sidewall reflection points reduces echoes that blur your sound image.

Live End (Back of the Room)

The back half of the room is treated with diffusers instead of absorbers. Diffusers scatter sound waves in different directions, which helps maintain a sense of space and natural reverb without harsh reflections. It keeps your room from sounding “dead”.

This setup creates a controlled front end for accuracy and an open back end that prevents the space from feeling overly dampened.

Below is a diagram showing the basic LEDE home recording studio setup plan. 

Diagram showing LEDE (Live End Dead End) acoustic room treatment setup with the front “Dead End” treated with absorption panels and bass traps around the listening position, and the rear “Live End” featuring diffusion panels, for balanced sound in a listening room.
  • Full absorption on the front wall
  • Spot treatment with absorption on side walls
  • Spot treatment with absorption on the ceiling
  • Acoustic diffusers on the back wall
  • Bass traps in the corners

Acoustic Treatment Options

 

Full Line Of Acoustic Foam Panels

 acoustic foam egg crate panels - charcoal color shown in this picture - with a shop now button acoustic foam grid style panels - charcoal color shown in this picture - with a shop now button -soundproofing foam sound proofing acoustic foam pyramid style panels - charcoal color shown in this picture - with a shop now button soundproofing acoustic foam wedge style panels - charcoal color shown in this picture - with a shop now button

Acoustic Diffusers

wood acoustic diffusers - shop now image PVC acoustic diffusers - shop now image

Bass Traps

 

acoustic foam bass traps - charcoal color shown in this picture - with a shop now button 

In addition to the treatment of the walls, floors, and ceilings, other elements such as furniture, curtains, and carpets can also be used to help absorb or reflect sound in the space.

Overall, the acoustic treatment for a LEDE room is a careful balancing act between sound-absorbing and sound-reflective materials to achieve an even distribution of sound throughout the listening space.

Back to blog

1 comment

This article has one key piece of misinformation: the “live end” is the end with diffusers, the “dead end” is the end with sound absorption – hence “live end” as in “live stage recording” and “dead end” as in “the room sound is dead”

Nathan Harrison

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Need Help?

Not sure what you need? Don't worry! One of our acoustic pros will help you get results!

Free Room AnalysisSchedule A Consultation

Shop Acoustic Panels

Upgrade Your Sound Today!

View all

Frequently Asked Questions

Do acoustic panels really work? ▶
Yes, acoustic panels absolutely work when used correctly. Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, which helps reduce echo, reverb, and unwanted reflections in a room. This creates a cleaner, more controlled sound environment.

Whether you’re treating a home studio, podcast room, home theater, or office space, acoustic panels can make a noticeable difference in speech clarity, mix accuracy, and overall listening quality.
How do I know which panels are right for my room? ▶
Every space is unique. You can contact us for a free room analysis, or check out our guides under the “Learn” section.

Absorption panels help reduce echo and reverb. We offer foam panels and fabric covered panels.

Diffusers scatter sound for a more balanced feel.

Bass traps help control low frequencies that tend to build up in corners.

If you’re trying to block sound from entering or leaving a room, you’ll need soundproofing materials, which are different from acoustic treatments.
Can I order samples? ▶
Yes, we offer acoustic foam samples and well as fabric color swatches. If you are looking for something else please Contact Us.

Order Foam Samples
Order Fabric Swatches
What’s the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment? ▶
Soundproofing blocks sound from entering or leaving a room. Acoustic treatment improves sound inside the room by reducing echo and reverb.
Can acoustic panels improve speech clarity? ▶
Yes! Acoustic panels are commonly used in offices, conference rooms, and classrooms to reduce echo and improve speech intelligibility. By absorbing excess sound and reverb, panels make it easier to hear and understand spoken words—even at lower volumes.

Want help improving clarity in your space? Contact us here.
Do acoustic panels block outside noise? ▶
Standard acoustic panels don’t block sound—they absorb it. Acoustic panels reduce echo and reverb inside a room but won’t stop external noise from entering or leaving.

If you’re looking for soundproofing, you’ll need materials designed to block sound transmission like mass loaded vinyl, or decoupled wall systems. We offer select products for this—Contact Us to learn more.

Learn the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption here.
Where should I place acoustic panels? ▶
The best placement depends on your room and goals. For general echo reduction, aim to cover 20–30% of your wall space. For recording studios, home theaters, or listening rooms, focus on:

• Front wall behind speakers
• Back wall behind the listening position
• Side wall reflection points
• Ceiling above your desk or seating area
• Diffusers at key reflection points for natural sound

Need help with placement? Contact us for a free custom recommendation.
Do these panels work for podcasting, streaming, or music production? ▶
Absolutely. We serve customers across all industries — from home offices to professional studios.
What fabric is best for wrapping acoustic panels? ▶
To get the best sound performance, use acoustically transparent fabric—material that lets sound pass through easily. A simple test: try breathing through the fabric. If air flows freely, it’s likely a good choice. Avoid dense materials like heavy denim or canvas, as they can block sound instead of letting it be absorbed.

Looking for a proven solution? Our professional-grade acoustical fabric is highly rated by customers and perfect for DIY acoustic panels.

Shop acoustic fabric here or contact us if you need help picking the right fabric for your project.
Can I order custom-sized acoustic panels? ▶
Yes! In addition to our standard panel sizes, we offer custom-sized acoustic panels for unique spaces, specialty builds, and large-scale projects. Just let us know your dimensions and design goals—we’re happy to create a solution that fits your space perfectly.

Contact us here to tell us about your project and get a custom quote.
Do you offer custom sizes or colors? ▶
Yes, we offer custom sizing and a variety of colors on select products. Just reach out and let us know what you need.

Contact Us for custom quotes.
Are your products easy to install? ▶
Yes! Our fabric-wrapped panels include mounting hardware. For acoustic foam, there are several easy mounting options, including double-sided adhesive squares, spray adhesive, or Command strips for installation without damaging your walls.

Check out our install videos here.
Do I need professional help to install acoustic panels? ▶
Most acoustic panels are easy to install with basic tools and a little DIY experience. We make it simple by providing tutorial videos. Check out our install videos here.

For more complex projects, we’re happy to guide you—or your contractor—through the process to ensure everything is done right.

Contact us here if you need help with installation planning.
How do you maintain acoustic panels? ▶
Acoustic panels are low-maintenance and built to last with proper care. Here are some general tips:

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth
• Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• Clean gently with compressed air
• Spot clean with minimal moisture and dry immediately

Always check your panel’s product specs for specific cleaning recommendations.

Have questions about cleaning or care? Contact us here.
How much do acoustical panels or soundproofing materials cost? ▶
The cost of acoustic panels and soundproofing panels depends on your space and goals. We offer everything from affordable DIY acoustic foam to high-end custom panels for professional studios and luxury interiors. For an accurate quote, let us know your room size, usage, and sound goals—we’re happy to help you find the right solution for your budget.

Fill out our free room analysis for personalized acoustic advice.
How fast is shipping and fulfillment? ▶
Most orders ship in 1-3 business days. Cut to order foam may take a little longer. If you need something in a hurry please Contact Us.
Can acoustic panels be customized for my space? ▶
Yes! We offer custom acoustic panels tailored to your exact dimensions, layout, and design goals. Whether you’re working with an odd-shaped wall, a unique room layout, or a specific aesthetic, we can create panels that fit perfectly.

Choose from a wide range of colors and fabrics to match your space without sacrificing performance.

Contact us here to tell us about your space and get a custom solution.