[Mike-48]

The only place to build a listening room in our (urban) house is the basement. After planning an acoustically isolated room, I'm wondering if it's worth building, given the dimensions. The height especially is far less than ideal.

I would truly appreciate comments from those with similar-sized rooms . . . have they worked out for you?


Width:   ~ 12 ft 10 in (=3.9 m)
Height:  ~ 6 ft 10 in ft (=2.1 m)
Length:  up to 22 ft (=6.7 m) (will be decided after height and width are known exactly.)

Thanks!

[jimdgoulding]

I really don't know myself, but you're in the right place.  I would think that if your speakers of choice are foward firing radiators like Maggies, etc, your low ceiling may not be all that much of an issue .  But, there are guys wiser than me about such things and you should be hearing from them very shortly.

[JLM]

Perhaps you can keep the speakers/furniture low.  My 8ft x 13ft x 22ft room is wonderful, your's wouldn't be all that much smaller.  Those (golden Greek/Cardas) ratios are about the biggest for a limiting ceilng height you'll find recommended.

Make sure you insulate every wall/ceiling (staggered stud walls, don't even try recessed can fixtures), even the ductwork (lined fiberglass can barely hear the furnace) and door (exterior fiberglass has stainable wood grain).  And "float" the ceiling by running gauge metal furring strips opposite the joists above to isolate it from the floor above (alternate is Green Glue with another layer of drywall, haven't tried it but you'll lose a bit more ceiling height).

My mistake was the recessed cans (and the builder not agreeing to the furring strips).  Otherwise the room is spooky quiet.

[django11]

My room is in a basement. About 16 by 16 with the height around 87 inches.  Floors are ceramic on slab  .  Sounds fine.  Terrific with with room treatments. 

[MaxCast]

Since it is the only place you have and you want a dedicated space go for it.

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

The only place to build a listening room in our (urban) house is the basement. After planning an acoustically isolated room, I'm wondering if it's worth building, given the dimensions. The height especially is far less than ideal.

I would truly appreciate comments from those with similar-sized rooms . . . have they worked out for you?


Width:   ~ 12 ft 10 in (=3.9 m)
Height:  ~ 6 ft 10 in ft (=2.1 m)Length:  up to 22 ft (=6.7 m) (will be decided after height and width are known exactly.)

Mine is also in the basement with drop ceiling (made up of suspended standard 2x4ft glasswool panels). Clearance is only 7ft (=2.14m) from the wall-to-wall carpetted concrete basement floor. Acoustically fine even for reproducing 20Hz subsonic pipe organ music.

Question: Is yr basement ceiling finished? If yes, what is it?

c-J

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

My room is in a basement. About 16 by 16 with the height around 87 inches.  Floors are ceramic on slab  .  Sounds fine.  Terrific with with room treatments.

Right, never get any sound reflective flooring, e.g. ceremic/stone like tiles.

c-J

[Ethan Winer]

I'm wondering if it's worth building, given the dimensions. The height especially is far less than ideal.

You can definitely make a room that size sound good. The key is to add absorption on the ceiling. If you think about it, a ceiling that's totally absorbent is acoustically the same as a ceiling that's infinitely high. Either way, sound goes up and never comes back down. Those dimensions as listed are not bad, though you'll need bass traps and other acoustic treatment. If the width and height are not exactly as shown, my Graphical Mode Calculator program and article will help you identify the best length.

--Ethan

[Mike-48]

Thanks to all for the comments. The plan is to use sound-isolation channel for the walls, and two layers of quietrock for the ceiling (takes less height than channel).

No cans in ceiling! Only floor lamps.  Probably will put hvac vents in walls to maximize isolation overhead.

[jimdgoulding]

Hey fellas, what about just taking the drop down tiles out altogether?

[Mike-48]

Hey fellas, what about just taking the drop down tiles out altogether?

Jim, there are no ceiling tiles in the room. It's the (concrete) floor and joists above that limit the height.

[jimdgoulding]

Jim, there are no ceiling tiles in the room. It's the (concrete) floor and joists above that limit the height.

Gotcha, Mike.

[Rob Babcock]

I had a very similar room (basement) six or seven years ago and the sound was very good once I had a bit of treatment done.

[Ethan Winer]

Jim, there are no ceiling tiles in the room. It's the (concrete) floor and joists above that limit the height.

In that case, line the spaces between the joists with 12-inch thick R-38 fluffy fiberglass, or whatever thickness is appropriate if the joists are less than 12 inches from bottom to top. Then you can cover that with soft fabric for appearance.

--Ethan

[Mike-48]

In that case, line the spaces between the joists with 12-inch thick R-38 fluffy fiberglass, or whatever thickness is appropriate if the joists are less than 12 inches from bottom to top. Then you can cover that with soft fabric for appearance.
--Ethan

Ethan, that is a nice idea for absorption, but for reduction of transmitted sounds above, I'll need to use sheetrock with some kind of special construction. If the room upstairs were empty, what you suggest would be ideal.

P.S. What's your cat's name?

[Mike-48]

I had a very similar room (basement) six or seven years ago and the sound was very good once I had a bit of treatment done.

Thanks -- that's good to know.

[shadowlight]

I room is similar where the ceiling height varies between 6' 10" to about 8' and the width is around 12 1/2' with length around 30'.  It sounds pretty good to me as a multipurpose room.

Here is one picture of the room.  The center is pretty much 6' 10".

[Ethan Winer]

but for reduction of transmitted sounds above, I'll need to use sheetrock with some kind of special construction.

Ah yes, you mentioned the need for isolation. In that case you'll need to add absorption under the finished ceiling to "make it go away."

P.S. What's your cat's name?

That's my boy Noah.