How do I dampen my listening environment?

Dougmc said, "but this is different in nature from the problem caused by 1st and 2nd reflection points. Excessive reverberation causes smearing and overhang and muddies the sound. First and second reflection points create a time difference in a specific sound reaching the listener and makes it hard to determine the location of the sound within the soundstage. In other words, imaging of specific sound sources is impaired. The solution to both problems is absorption of the unwanted reflections. However, ringing (detected by clapping hands) is solved by distributing sufficient sound absorbing materials around the listening room. First and second reflection points are solved by having sound absorbing material at those specific points."

I agree 100%. What I was getting at is that 1st and 2nd reflection point are just the tip of the iceberg.
The initial post question was "How do I dampen a room?". The answer to that is you need more than the 1st and 2nd reflection points covered. Which is why you need a full room mirror including the ceiling and floor!

Bob
If the first one hundred db suck, why continue?

I think it was me that mentioned the mirror thing. I did a lot of research on the subject, forgot most of it. It's not seeing the light reflected, it's being able to see the tweeter's reflection in the mirror. You have someone move the mirror across the wall at the heighth of the tweeter. Once you can see the tweeters reflection in the mirror, that's where the panel goes. This works for the second reflection point as well. You can treat you ceiling with panels but it's going to have to be the ceiling or the floor. No way getting around it.The idea of heavy curtains, book shelves loaded with books, bass traps in the corners can all make a huge difference and become very expensive as well. You really need to throw an area rug and nice pad down though. I can't imagine you're ever going to be completely happy without it.

The mirror idea is a proven method but hardly necessary. Ever go for a bank shot when shooting pool? Simple geometric principle, like a bank shot on a pool table. I think I'll bring a mirror along to my next match.

Make it easy on your self. Call Auralex, they have an engineer who will lay out the room for you. By doing it your self, your subjecting your self to years of questioning. This way once you install it your done. From that point forward it is all about the equipment. And, yes I have Acoustats with Auralex, excellent results in the >$1K range.