Help! Room treatments are confusing to a NOOB!

robcentola · « **on:** 14 Jan 2014, 07:04 pm »

Hey all,

Ok, I finally got my system set up but this room sounds awful. Over the weekend I moved everything to a different room and it was like night and day. Having a dedicated listening room is not spouse approved as she wants to hear the music when working on regular household tasks. I'm going to have to get some panels, but I'm not sure what. I understand bass traps are essential, but where?

From my listening position, there's only one corner behind the speakers (right side). The left side the wall ends and goes to a small hallway. The three walled space is only 13 by 10, but the left side goes to the kitchen another 15 feet or so. The ceiling is an a-frame that peaks at roughly 16 ft. The walls to the left and behind me are windows.....lots of glass with wooden blinds. I'm thinking (and listening) this not ideal. I need advice.

To reach the depth I'm looking for that I got in the other room will require two things: Some sort of acoustical treatment. The other is a sub (deep in research on that and 99.9% sure it's dual Rythmik F12's. One now and one in the spring).

There's not much that I can do about the windows. Curtains will not be approved and some sort of removable panels to hang over them will not fly either. So, I'm thinking bass traps on the right corner (bottom) and one in the corner behind me on the right. Then those panels behind my SongTowers.

My question is am I on the right path in my thinking? Exactly what panels (size etc) would you guys recommend? How many will be tough as having room treatments will be met with resistance from my lovely bride to be. Will this help??

Below are some pics. I was a lazy Sunday yesterday, so please excuse the mess.

Thanks to all!

robcentola · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Jan 2014, 07:08 pm »

Forgot the pics!

robcentola · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jan 2014, 07:40 pm »

Hell, I just tacked a couple of blankets over the windows to the side and behind me and can hear a huge difference!

I'm on the right track

rockadanny · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 02:27 pm »

Rob - I recommend you speak with Glenn, Brian, or someone at GIK Acoustics (here on AC) to get their recommendation.
http://gikacoustics.com/
Knowledgable, terrific people and excellent affordable products.
And I really dig your wood ceiling, very cool.

woodsyi · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 03:00 pm »

Rob,

I don't think you can get balanced acoustics in that room as you have it. There are too many things going against you --the windows, kitchen, ceiling (nice BTW) and no place to hang traps on or hide behind. Most importantly, the room as you have your speakers placed is totally unbalanced. You would have to move the speakers to the window wall facing the kitchen. You will have to hang a retractable screen in the middle in front of the windows and suspend a projector from the highest point in your cathedral ceiling. I don't see another way to balance it.

I would recommend putting a nice 5.1 HT in that room (to placate your wife) and move your main audio rig to a better room. That's what I did. This is totally IMHO!

robcentola · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 04:52 pm »

Thanks for the kind words about my ceiling. It's a love/hate relationship!

I'm actually thinking of getting a portable room divider for that right side of the speakers. I had it with the speakers facing the kitchen, but having the windows behind creates problems. Hanging things from the ceiling would result in me sleeping in the doghouse.

I'm thinking of maybe building traps I can hang on hooks over the windows and be removed quickly, and easily.

I'm stuck and it sucks. I'm not getting nearly the performance I should be with my gear. Hopefully the sub will help.

I'll shoot this to the good folks at GIK.

Thanks!

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 05:02 pm »

I think your room is 'curable' (2nd the recommendation to contact GIK) but I'm guessing you and especially the wife won't like the cure.

robcentola · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 05:07 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 15 Jan 2014, 05:02 pm

I think your room is 'curable' (2nd the recommendation to contact GIK) but I'm guessing you and especially the wife won't like the cure.

Hell, if was up to me I'd be open to anything.

Posted this thread over on the GIK circle.

Austin08 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 06:21 pm »

It would help if you be able to move your speakers further into the room.

robcentola · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Jan 2014, 06:47 pm »

Quote from: Austin08 on 15 Jan 2014, 06:21 pm

It would help if you be able to move your speakers further into the room.

I've move them in and out all over the place. The current position seemed to yield a bit more bass. A bit boomy, but there. So, it's either little bass, or boomy bass. Depending on what I'm listening to they are appropriately adjusted. After I get my Rythmik, they will be out at least 14 inches.

jk@home · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Jan 2014, 01:30 am »

Quote from: woodsyi on 15 Jan 2014, 03:00 pm

...
I would recommend putting a nice 5.1 HT in that room (to placate your wife) and move your main audio rig to a better room. That's what I did. This is totally IMHO!

Ditto here. A dedicated audio room, even one on the small size, can be so much more satisfying then trying to do the combo stereo and HT / WAF thing in the family room. Been there, done that.

dpatters · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jan 2014, 01:49 pm »

My room is very similar with a cathedral seating and open on the one side. I just have more depth behind the listening position. I think 244 bass traps behind the speakers on the front wall and 2 corner tri traps stacked in the corner would be a start. The windows really need to be addressed but that seems to be an issue. Hanging 242 panels on hooks for listening sessions could be a compromise. 242 or 244 panels behind the listening position on back wall. Not everyone can have a dedicated room so we just do the best we can. I'm pretty happy with the sound in my living room with the addition of the GIK panels.

Best of Luck.

Don

mick wolfe · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jan 2014, 04:29 pm »

Being that you have the option to set up a separate dedicated listening room, that is the direction I would take. I would just buy a decent soundbar for the TV /family room for movies, streaming internet radio,etc. Now wifey has music and the nice uncluttered look she wants. You on the other hand, have a dedicated room to tweak.

Photon46 · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jan 2014, 06:28 pm »

Quote from: mick wolfe on 16 Jan 2014, 04:29 pm

Being that you have the option to set up a separate dedicated listening room, that is the direction I would take. I would just buy a decent soundbar for the TV /family room for movies, streaming internet radio,etc. Now wifey has music and the nice uncluttered look she wants. You on the other hand, have a dedicated room to tweak.

I think Mick speaks words of wisdom here. You've got a room that looks tough to treat well, probably going to take lots of traps, curtains, and panels to tame. Getting something that provides sound on a lesser level for casual listening in the living room will allow you to move your equipment to an easier to tame dedicated listening area. This may be an instance where it's more productive and less expensive to take the path of least resistance.

bpape · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 03:41 pm »

Is it not an option to face the window instead of having it on the side? That would give much better symmetry, imaging, balanced response left to right, etc.

And if you want a dedicated space but the wife wants music too - sounds like a great excuse to put together another small system for this room.

Bryan

robcentola · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 07:01 pm »

Yeah, it was a small battle getting this one. Baby-steps.

robcentola · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 07:03 pm »

Quote from: dpatters on 16 Jan 2014, 01:49 pm

My room is very similar with a cathedral seating and open on the one side. I just have more depth behind the listening position. I think 244 bass traps behind the speakers on the front wall and 2 corner tri traps stacked in the corner would be a start. The windows really need to be addressed but that seems to be an issue. Hanging 242 panels on hooks for listening sessions could be a compromise. 242 or 244 panels behind the listening position on back wall. Not everyone can have a dedicated room so we just do the best we can. I'm pretty happy with the sound in my living room with the addition of the GIK panels.

Reading my mind

Best of Luck.

Don

robcentola · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: dpatters on 16 Jan 2014, 01:49 pm

My room is very similar with a cathedral seating and open on the one side. I just have more depth behind the listening position. I think 244 bass traps behind the speakers on the front wall and 2 corner tri traps stacked in the corner would be a start. The windows really need to be addressed but that seems to be an issue. Hanging 242 panels on hooks for listening sessions could be a compromise. 242 or 244 panels behind the listening position on back wall. Not everyone can have a dedicated room so we just do the best we can. I'm pretty happy with the sound in my living room with the addition of the GIK panels.

Best of Luck.

Don

Don- Those are 244 bass traps behind your speakers?

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 07:10 pm »

Quote from: jk@home on 16 Jan 2014, 01:30 am

Ditto here. A dedicated audio room, even one on the small size, can be so much more satisfying then trying to do the combo stereo and HT / WAF thing in the family room. Been there, done that.

+2 (especially if it's insulated and you can 'decorate' as you like).

I'm fortunate and have the main rig in my dedicated/designed listening man-cave, a 5.1 system in the family room, and a suprisingly satisfying $100 Logitech UE smart radio (that replaced audio leftovers) in the living room for casual listening. So everyone is happy.

robcentola · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jan 2014, 07:17 pm »

I'm just happy I'm renting!