[Mike - CMS]

Hi all,
I wanted to introduce myself and solicit your advice.   

I've been enjoying a pair of VR-35's for about a year now.   My source is a Vortexbox server running through a Squeezebox Touch that I control with iPeng.   The Touch outputs through digital coax to an Eastern Electric DAC and then into a Cary SLI-80 intergrated amp.    If I'm not listening to jazz cd's that I've ripped to FLAC, I'm streaming Rhapsody or internet radio (KPLU - "NPR and all that Jazz").   The FLAC's sound great, and even the low bit rate radio stream sounds very good.

I'm getting ready to do some remodeling and will be modifying the rear wall that the VR-35's sit about 8" outboard of. Behind this rear wall is a closet  that is rarely used, so I'm planning to frame a hole in the wall and put my equipment on built-in shelving (with a wall mounted TV above), so there will not be an equipment cabinet between the speakers.   

I'm wondering what your advice would be on the best material to cover this rear wall with?  From my sort of limited reading, most room treatments seem to advise absorption or diffusion of sound.   However, since the VR-35's are intended to reflect bass from the rear wall, would then a hard, reflective surface be better?  I haven't researched the materials really, but I understand that there are varieties of sheet rock, including impact resistant types that are presumably denser and more reflective.   I don't think wood paneling would really be aesthetically right for this space.

Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike 


 

[es347]

I would think with the 35s a live front wall is what you need but I'll let JackD201 or Albert chime in.

[JackD201]

I'd guess drywall would be fine for normal (read safe) listening levels. As long as the walls themselves don't audibly resonate at the usual listening levels I figure that construction would be okay. For the hard rockers out there, I'd go with CHB and plaster or concrete.

I'd ask Damon. Those are his personal home speakers.

[Mike - CMS]

Thank you for your responses.   Your point on the resonance is well taken, I think I'll at least be sure that the rear wall is plenty stiff by adding extra blocking and maybe two layers of sheet rock.   Of course I'm probably over-thinking it, but I'm going to have this wall torn up anyway, so I thought I'd try to get it right.   I'll be interested to hear Damon's opinion.

[Albert Von Schweikert]

Mike, your construction method is "spot on."  As JackD201 indicates, you don't want the wall to resonate and add coloration, so making the wall stiff is the way to go.  You might want to experiment with placing rugs on the rear wall if there is excess reverberation in that end of the room.
Happy Listening,
Albert