[Kinger]

Hello all.  If this is posted to the wrong circle I apologize, but I thought this might be a good place to ask for opinions how to set up a listening area in my unfinished basement which I'd like to make finished in the coming year or so. (Rough drawing of the space attached.)  Ideally, I'd like my own dedicated space, but my wife may not allow for that and may want the basement to be just one large open area.  If that is the case, where would you guys place your gear and a listening seat given the dimensions shown?  The two filled in cubes in the picture are poles which support the house so they cannot be moved unfortunately.

My system is listed in my profile if it helps think of placement ideas.  Right now I don't have plans to go with smaller speakers and if anything I'd love to be able to move up to a pair of Salk HT2-TL's at some point.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[JohnR]

Does the HVAC make noise?

[Kinger]

Yeah it's not super quiet so my plan was to wall that off as best as I can.

[JohnR]

Here's an idea for consideration:

[jtwrace]

Good idea John.  One thing that I would recommend is that the partition and all walls is a double wall that is done with clips and glue.  Also, I would hesitate to line the HVAC room with some insulation to keep it as quiet as possible.

http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/

[Big Red Machine]

You put the wifey-accepted open area right at the bottom of the stairs, then a storage area in the back and a listening room in the back.  Buried deep into the bowels of the basement she will not venture there and out of sight, out of mind.

Double drywall the walls around the HVAC and use hanger systems if you can to isolate it.  Don't neglect flanking noise up and over into the floor joists.

If the sump were in your room as is mine, it can be quite quiet if you build a movable box around it, vented though, with sound absorption in it.  Mine works great and during listening I do not know it is operating.

Build the storage around the HVAC so you also have room for maintenance and replacement work to take place someday.

[Kinger]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far folks.  Much appreciated

Pete - I like your idea of being out of sight and out of mind   I just wasn't sure how to make that end of the basement into much of a listening space given the pole and the HVAC being so close.  Just couldn't figure out a way to have speakers a decent amount out from the walls while also having the listening position not right on top of them.  Where would you put your speakers and gear given your suggestion?  I should mention that storage is not an issue as behind the HVAC area all the way to the South wall is concrete capped crawlspace with about 4' of height.

[Big Red Machine]

You can sit inside the 15 foot window (my room is only 13.5 feet wide) with the right speaker next to the sump.  If you cordon off the HVAC leaving the 22.5 depth then you will not be too near any back wall surface.  My room is 13.5 x 17 with a 3 foot deep alcove behind me to the right.  So you would have plenty of room.

What you could do is put another small room from the start of the HVAC to the pole on the left side for storage of DVD's, chairs, toys, etc.  Then you are really in the back.

Remember to use 3 foot doors all the way down and through the basement so all things large can be moved in and out!!!!

Here is my room layout.  I'm nearfield but you would not have to be at all with 22.5 feet.

[rollo]

  Good idea John, lets take it a bit further. Consider running a wall in line with the stairway [ N to S] then angle the wal [ end of stair] where it nears the A/C room. At the back wall for the speakers [ N wall] curve the wall running E to W. position the listening chair up against the column shown [ 13 ' off N. wall]
  By angling the rear wall and curving the front you will lessen that square room. A no no if you can help it.
  Have fun.


charles

[Kinger]

Pete - I see what you are saying in sitting within that 15' space.  However, the room would really only be 17' long if I cordoned off the AC wouldn't it?  10' from the East all to the pole and another 7' from the pole to the HVAC unit.

[Big Red Machine]

No, put the wall along the back side of the HVAC and it looks like you will be sitting in that area where the 22.5 wall extends behind you.

Your room would be a bigger version of mine.

[werd]

How about outlets, where are your outlets?. Now is the time for dedicated outlets if the walls are not drywalled...... Very important !!!!!!

[Big Red Machine]

Kinger, maybe a trip up to see my basement and I can show you some tricks and tips.

Not to scale idea for your room:

[Kinger]

Thanks for the offer Pete.  Would love to hear your space someday and I think I understand what you mean now especially after you posted the picture.  Do you have any concerns with your right speaker being so close to the sump?  Not sure about your basement, but mine certainly gets a fair share of water in the sump pit during heavy rains.

Good question on the outlets.  I have them fairly well spaced around the room, but figured I could add more or new ones once I made the determination as to where the best place to put my gear would be.

[Big Red Machine]

Thanks for the offer Pete.  Would love to hear your space someday and I think I understand what you mean now especially after you posted the picture.  Do you have any concerns with your right speaker being so close to the sump?  Not sure about your basement, but mine certainly gets a fair share of water in the sump pit during heavy rains.

Good question on the outlets.  I have them fairly well spaced around the room, but figured I could add more or new ones once I made the determination as to where the best place to put my gear would be.

My sump is to my left rear and not in the front.  Gotta take precautions like an audible meter for water level too high, back up unit, raising your electronics and cables off the floor, speaker spikes, etc.

You might prefer a rack on the left, right, or middle so plan for outlets on all three walls in case you change your mind!!  I used cryo'd 10 ga from VH and Maestro outlets. 

Oh, I'll have my Samson amps soon and my modified EE dac as well.  So it will be a killer system in May!

[Kinger]

Yep, I've got a battery backup installed and have a generator for when power might be out for more than the battery can provide.  Also has an audible meter.  Good point on the speakers being on spikes and the electronics being off the floor.  Gotta remember to raise wires too when the time comes that I move things down there.

Nice to know that folks don't seem to think that the space is horrible and I might even be able to put larger speakers down there in time

[Big Red Machine]

A 15 x 25 space if very nice in size for all the largest floorstanders.

[Miriam]

Nicely design your basement... but you can also do changes.. To do more attractive your room..click... http://www.basementideas.org/top-basement-ideas.html