[ctviggen]

Here are the images of my HT, which is in the basement of a raised ranch (a house with a "partial" basement -- the basement doesn't extend that far into the ground).  As you can see, there's an edge running around the "right" of the HT and behind the equipment.  Underneath this edge (covered with drywall on wood framing) is the cement foundation for the house.  The tile is directly on the cement basement floor.  There's a beam (covered by drywall) that splits the room.  The beam comes into the room by about 14 inches. The room dimensions are 17 feet in width, 22 feet 5 inches in depth and 7 feet 7 inches in height.  

The RM40s are much closer to the RPTV/stand now but still toed in about the same.  I still think the first reflection point is behind the listener (other than the reflection points off the ceiling and the RPTV).  

I don't have to worry about making the room look nice.

Any suggestions?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=420

[warnerwh]

I'd put in at least 4 bass traps. They are expensive but if you go to AA there's a couple of Jon Risch diy types that work well and are inexpensive. Also I'd buy a lot of at least 3" acoustic wedge foam for the back sides and ceiling around your system.  Possibly reconsider moving your system in the room.  Spend a little time and money and get ready for a large improvement in sound. I'm set up with a LEDE and four traps. Brian Cheney of VMPS uses the LEDE also with the treatment on the system side of the room.  If you get rid of some of the reflections in that room you'll be surprised how much better your system sounds.  Do some research like calling realtraps or rives.  You have a very nice system that is certainly  capable of sounding much better. Fair warning though: Once you hear the improvement when you add some room treatment you won't be able to stop and the next thing you know your system will sound better than almost anything you've heard.  The improvement is major, the difference will most likely surprise you and you will wonder what you were waiting for, at least that's what happened to me.  Also being as you have Brians speakers send him a couple of pics and ask for his advice.  I know his speakers are very tweakable(I"m on my second set) but they aren't THAT tweakable by a long shot.

[zybar]

Bob,

Couple of thoughts...

1.  Our rooms are relatively close in size and are both located in the basement.

2.  You really should try and put something on the tile floor to absorb reflections.

3.  You will want anywhere from 6-10 Minitraps to make a really big impact on the sound (4 will make a difference, but unfortunately as Ethan says "The more the better").

4.  Get some 4" foam (off Ebay) or maybe some 8thNerve products in the upper corners, beam, and first reflection points.  To figure out the first reflection points, do the old mirror trick with the wife or friend.

My system wasn't producing anywhere near the sound I get now before I did all the room treatment.  It is money very well spent.

If funds are tight, you can go DIY on the bass panels, they just won't look as good or be able to be hung on the walls.

George

[warnerwh]

I didn't want to say anything about the floor but I'd carpet it myself. Don't worry about this crap of having a dead room.  Carpeting alone would help alot.

[ctviggen]

Thanks, guys.  I've already demoed some 8th Nerve products, and they helped a lot (and we didn't even put the products on the first reflection points).  I'm going to allocate as much money as I need, although I may not do anything for a while due to financial constraints.  I originally wanted to buy a house with an empty, unfinished basement, but the housing prices are so out of control that I couldn't afford houses like that.  I can put some stuff on the doors, if these are the first reflection points.  I wouldn't mind moving the gear, but any other location might introduce another set of issues (for instance, a long wall orientation might be hard just because of the location of the fireplace -- which I'd personally remove, but for resale I think it has to stay).  

So, I'm off to research how much this is going to cost me!

[ctviggen]

Well, it looks as if it's going to be around 2,500 (!) (or more).  A combination of Realtraps and Eighth Nerve stuff to damp the sound will be about that much.  Based on my short analysis of the EN stuff, though, it should be worth it.  The only challenge will be to see how much of the stuff I can put up without putting holes in the walls.

[zybar]

Well, it looks as if it's going to be around 2,500 (!) (or more).  A combination of Realtraps and Eighth Nerve stuff to damp the sound will be about that much.  Based on my short analysis of the EN stuff, though, it should be worth it.  The only challenge will be to see how much of the stuff I can put up without putting holes in the walls.

Bob,

It will absolutely be worth it.  

You can do things in stages (if financially necessitated) and/or go with a little DIY on the bass traps.

George

[ctviggen]

Thanks, George.  What I'll likely do is just save the money and do everything at once.  However, this can be dangerous, too (as I need so many other things, such as better furniture).  So, I may do some stuff soon and wait to do more later.  The benefit to waiting is that I can probably get a better discount if I order everything at once (and the Real Traps place is only minutes from my Girlfriend's house, so I can take my truck there and pick everything up).  The detriment is saving that amount of money!

[Carlman]

I bought an area rug at Lowe's that has a lot of surface area for about $250.  That was a very nice improvement for both the sound and looks in the room.

-C

[John Casler]

IKEA is also a good source for Rugs, Wall hangings and such at reasonable prices:

http://www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&categoryId=10286&langId=-1&parentCats=10112*10286&cattype=sub