[krum]

I am contemplating building a room in my basement for a TV and surround-sound system or possibly even a dedicated two-channel audio room (currently I am using a separate room for two-channel and would like the two separate rooms: one dedicated to two-channel audio and one dedicated as a family room/TV and surround system room). The problem arises because of duct work running across the room along with a wood beam running across the room.

Let me first attempt to describe the room. It would be about 21 feet by 23 feet (could be smaller but not larger).  The front speakers and TV would be set up against the 23 foot wall which I will call the front wall and the speakers could be pulled out from this front wall as much as needed. Coming out from this front wall about 9 feet (of the 21 feet) would be boxed in because of the duct work.  Thus, the ceiling height for the first 9 of the 21 feet would be about 6 and ½ feet. Thus, the TV and front speakers would sit underneath this boxed-in duct work. The remaining 12 feet of the 21 feet will be about 7 and ½ feet except for where the beam runs across the room. The beam runs across the room and is about 15 feet back from the front wall. Two posts support the beam and each would be about 8 feet from the sidewalls (leaving about 7 feet between the posts in which I could place a couple chairs, small sofa, or love seat facing the front speakers and TV). The width of the wood beam is about 5 and ¼ inches and for that 5 and ¼ inches I would lose slightly over 9 inches of height in the room. The wood beam would be painted (as would be the metal support posts).

My primary concerns are the acoustics of this room. Keeping in mind that I am a novice, I have the following questions regarding this proposed room and welcome all suggestions:

1. Just how detrimental will the 6 and ½ feet ceiling and the duct work above be to the room acoustics? Given the set-up of the room I see no other manner in which the room can be set up. (The duct work is actually a few feet out from the proposed front wall but it makes sense to box-in the entire area).
 
2. Can I put something underneath the duck work to improve the acoustics?

3. What would be better on the ceiling, acoustical tile or drywall (either can be used even where the ductwork is boxed in). If acoustical tile is better, any recommendations on good acoustical tile would be helpful.
4.  The alternative is to make this room into a bedroom and put my TV and a small set of speakers in what is currently a spare bedroom which is 10 feet by 12 feet with a 9 foot ceiling.  My gut feeling is the basement room would still end up with better acoustics, despite the short ceiling….any thoughts?

Thank you for any suggestions as I begin to plan out this project.  Regards,

Tim     

[MaxCast]

What is above this area?
I will be doing the same thing later this year, hopefully.
I have bedrooms above my listening room so the ideal is to decouple the basement from the rafters.  The best way I have read is to stuff insulation between the rafters and hang (with acoustic hangers) a drop ceiling with affordable "acoustic" tiles.

[bpape]

I'd make use of the area behind the duct work for some broadband bass absorbtion.  I'd drywall around the duct to minimize sound transmission both into and out of the room.  For the area behind, drywall the ceiling then drop some thick absorbtion and cover with either cloth or a drop ceiling.  That way, it still appears acoustically higher and provides some nice bass control without taking up any more space.

I agree that the larger room will be better. 

Bryan

[krum]

Max,

  I also have a bedroom and bath above this area (the master bedroom) and insulation is already in the rafters....but I am not as concerned about noise from the basement.....more concerned about the acoustics within the room itself,

Tim

[krum]

Bryan,

Thanks for the advice.  In the remainder of the room do you think that drywall or acoustical tile would be best?  The ceiling is already insulated and if I used acoustical tile I would have a few inches between the tile and the insulation....not sure if that would be good or bad. 

Tim