Stubbed Basements and Framed (open) Walls

rockadanny · « **on:** 8 Apr 2016, 02:58 pm »

Looking at potential homes to purchase I'm seeing some with basements which are only rough framed (2x4 boards for "rooms" but no drywall anywhere yet). In setting up your gear it seems a general rule for interior space is: bigger is better. So ...

Would I be better off leaving these "rooms" unwalled, so all you see is a sea of spaced 2x4s throughout the entire basement?
Or hang drywall in the largest space to be an enclosed audio room?

(BTW, apologies for all of these hit-and-run posts I've been creating regarding listening spaces. Since I don't have a house yet I am seeing many different configurations to consider. Once I buy a house I will have a more cohesive plan with questions.)

rockadanny · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Apr 2016, 07:28 pm »

What does a bunch of 2x4s throughout an unfinished basement do to the sound if none are in your way - you and the gear are in the same room, though the room does not yet have drywall hung?

jea48 · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Apr 2016, 08:15 pm »

You should look closely where these 2x4 stud walls are located.

Do they run down the center at a right angle under the floor joists?
If yes that could be a load bearing wall and cannot be removed or moved.

Ask the builder if in doubt.

http://workshop.lifehacker.com/how-to-identify-a-load-bearing-wall-1626923331

JLM · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Apr 2016, 08:20 pm »

General rules are just that - general. Just like if all else being equal...

At some point wider/longer doesn't help. And proper proportion helps more. Besides the sound transmission (in and out of the space) worsens as the total surface area of the listening space increases.

Yes, some of those framings are undoubtedly load bearing (could probably be replaced with pipe columns and beams).

Ideal room for audio is different than for AV. AV rooms should be more square. Why not have one of each?

rockadanny · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Apr 2016, 10:19 pm »

Thanks for the replies.
If I buy a home with studded walls in the basement I am not going to remove any of the studs. I just was interested in knowing:
1. If leaving them without drywall will do anything crazy to the sound?
2. If the gear and I were in the same room space, will the rest of the studs in the basement effect the sound at the sweet spot?

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Apr 2016, 01:09 am »

A large open basement would be an odd shaped acoustic space. I'd expect the acoustics to be quite poor as in any space with relatively low ceilings.

Plus the acoustic isolation between basement and upstairs would be more difficult as a larger space needs more energy to achieve the same sound pressure levels and additional surfaces would have to be sealed. And basements typically have noise producing equipment (furnaces, pumps, softners, laundry, etc.).

I expect the visual impact of the open studs to be greater than the acoustic.