Sound Space Design

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 1363 times.

LiveSound

Sound Space Design
« on: 23 Jun 2021, 05:27 pm »
GR-Danny states: What you hear is mostly the room!
Please contribute to the discussion how to design and prepare a space that is meant to sound great with an amazing feel.
The given: A large space cube  8.60 x 8.70 and 5.20 meters high, in feet: 28 x 28 x 17.
Material all concrete/stone inclusive floors, 2 walls got large glass surfaces.
As the room is not yet build, any wall and ceiling design ideas can be altered, structured, paneled etc. I wish for a room with space integral solutions, avoiding added stuff later cluttering the space.  (The purple rings are ceiling fans, the red blocks represent the speakers and 2 subwoofers)
As seen in the attached drawings the room got a full size 6x12 snooker table and sitting arrangement with the music system, speakers are 7 feet away from the wall, 2.5 meters (8.5 ft) apart, and listening distance is 4.6 meters (15ft). It's a starting point and all can be changed. For inspiration I am looking at the shoebox like but world famous music Music room in la Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland. (see picture attached). Any literature and design clues for how to make the most of the design is very much appreciated. And yes, the fireplace design is a direct quote of the casa Curzio Malaparte in Capri by Adalberto Libera.











https://swissmusic.ch/en/read/musical-treasures-of-romandie-3-the-music-room/

Jean-Martial says "The walls of the room are covered with special wood paneling according to design process of stringed-instrument makers. This peculiarity is one of the secrets explaining the success of its acoustics. The spectral balance of the reverb is remarkable, the 'color' generated is both clear and warm. Very good projection of sound sources onto stage walls and towards the public area, generating clean first reflections that increase the relief of the reverb."


an other interesting bad cube shape space that I saw completely transformed from impossibly bad acoustics to an ok acoustics with the ceiling treatment of suspended felt. It worked really well.








These guys seem awesome
https://www.acousticfields.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH0o6InRYeQ


« Last Edit: 23 Jun 2021, 10:26 pm by LiveSound »

LiveSound

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #1 on: 28 Jun 2021, 08:07 pm »
Thank you guys for the great discussion, it has become abundantly clear that the design of the music space is the prime topic with HIFI, as Danny says, the space is by far the most dominant factor.

Early B.

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #2 on: 28 Jun 2021, 09:08 pm »
What you're asking is far beyond the technical capacity of a few random dudes on an audio forum. Hire an acoustics professional. Document the entire process here. 

Letitroll98

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 5612
  • Too loud is just right
Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #3 on: 29 Jun 2021, 02:07 pm »
What you're asking is far beyond the technical capacity of a few random dudes on an audio forum. Hire an acoustics professional. Document the entire process here.

I was thinking the same thing.  No disrespect for the op, more like admiration, but if your living room is designated the Grand Salon and the den is the Bibliotheca, why are you asking us peasants about anything?  I'm officially changing the name of the rooms in my place to these examples, what do you use as an alternative to bedroom?

Early B.

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #4 on: 29 Jun 2021, 03:14 pm »
...why are you asking us peasants about anything? 

Anyone else around here have 17 foot ceilings? If not, you're a lowly peasant... :lol:

WGH

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #5 on: 29 Jun 2021, 08:58 pm »
A 8.60 x 8.70 and 5.20 meters high room is a huge space to fill with sound, is your plan to recreate the expanse and scale of a symphony orchestra? The Gran Salon would need appropriate grand speakers and electronics. I have heard the well regarded Joseph Audio Perspective with two Rythmik 12" servo subwoofers in a large room with 12' ceilings and the sound, although lovely, did not fill the space. The type of music, how loud it will be played along with the quantity of speakers would dictate how heroic the acoustic solution needs to be.

I am thinking that space would need a big Von Schweikert, MBL or Wilson Audio to load the room. Von Schweikert has an owners group on Audio Circle, one member has the Ultra 9's:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=170934.0

A big room will also need tight bass (no ports) into the low teens. A double stack of REL No. 25 would work. Call REL customer support, they are fun, friendly and really know their stuff.



I made the custom mesquite entry doors for the Casas Barrier Chapel in Tucson, AZ. The acoustic cloud panels are unique along with looking fantastic. Seaver Franks are the architects if you want to find out more:
https://www.seaverfranks.com/





Once the acoustic engineer knows your goals then the room design can begin. You might not need to do anything to the room if you listen to chamber music on high quality stand mounted speakers, putting a symphony orchestra in the room changes the dynamics.

youngho

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #6 on: 6 Jul 2021, 06:13 pm »
Quote
The given: A large space cube  8.60 x 8.70 and 5.20 meters high, in feet: 28 x 28 x 17.
Material all concrete/stone inclusive floors, 2 walls got large glass surfaces.
As the room is not yet build, any wall and ceiling design ideas can be altered, structured, paneled etc. I wish for a room with space integral solutions, avoiding added stuff later cluttering the space.

As to the question of integrated acoustic treatment products, there are some newer products since the Salle de musique was built, which might be of interest. You could consider Modex Plate (https://www.rpgacoustic.com/modex-plate/) or similar VPR absorbers, also Soundply (https://soundply.com/) or similar microperforated absorbers for wood-paneled walls, Clearsorber (https://www.rpgacoustic.com/clearsorber-panel/) for the large glass surfaces.

LiveSound

Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #7 on: 8 Sep 2021, 11:08 pm »
A 8.60 x 8.70 and 5.20 meters high room is a huge space to fill with sound, is your plan to recreate the expanse and scale of a symphony orchestra? The Gran Salon would need appropriate grand speakers and electronics. I have heard the well regarded Joseph Audio Perspective with two Rythmik 12" servo subwoofers in a large room with 12' ceilings and the sound, although lovely, did not fill the space. The type of music, how loud it will be played along with the quantity of speakers would dictate how heroic the acoustic solution needs to be.

I am thinking that space would need a big Von Schweikert, MBL or Wilson Audio to load the room. Von Schweikert has an owners group on Audio Circle, one member has the Ultra 9's:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=170934.0

A big room will also need tight bass (no ports) into the low teens. A double stack of REL No. 25 would work. Call REL customer support, they are fun, friendly and really know their stuff.



I made the custom mesquite entry doors for the Casas Barrier Chapel in Tucson, AZ. The acoustic cloud panels are unique along with looking fantastic. Seaver Franks are the architects if you want to find out more:
https://www.seaverfranks.com/





Once the acoustic engineer knows your goals then the room design can begin. You might not need to do anything to the room if you listen to chamber music on high quality stand mounted speakers, putting a symphony orchestra in the room changes the dynamics.


Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions! Great project! I consulted a professional sound engineer called Acoustic Fields, but we did not go much beyond positioning his prefabricated sound deflective and absorptive products. I am more interested in building a space that needs minimal correction, after much studies we transformed the cube space using golden section proportions. The large space is not necessarily a music room, I just love huge spaces, always dreamt of hangars and abandoned factories, like Ricardo Bofill's Cement factory in Barcelona. To have great acoustics comes second. I also love the REL's! yes I am documenting the process and will post it in due course.

Rob Babcock

  • Facilitator
  • Posts: 9297
Re: Sound Space Design
« Reply #8 on: 9 Sep 2021, 12:48 am »
Those are some beautiful spaces!