Finally ... My First Ever Dedicated Room for Audio

rockadanny · « **on:** 18 Jul 2016, 06:30 pm »

Recently purchased a home with a mostly-finished basement and just set up my gear. Man, it sounds terrific already, and I haven't even taken any measurements nor turned on my subs yet. All treatments by GIK (two pairs of tri-traps, four bass traps at first and second side reflection points, and three combination absorption/diffusion) seem to be doing their job. I haven't have much time yet to listen or integrate my subs, but at least it's all unpacked and set up. Finally, after almost one year in storage!

I needed a platform of some type for my two-box (red) preamp but could not find any Craigslist/yard sale suitable, and I have no budget for a real platform, so I built and stained that little table you see for it. Nice and solid, and perfectly dimensioned for my needs. And since I was not using my original speaker spikes, I attached them to the table's legs. So all gear is now spiked to the floor (carpet over concrete).

rockadanny · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 06:37 pm »

I set up the speakers using the Cardas method. I was surprised how close together they ended up (approx. 6' apart). I originally set my char 6' away for an equilateral triangle. Ugh! Sounded like crap! I inched my chair back, back, back, giving the drivers a chance to seamlessly integrate. Until finally, bingo! Found the sweet spot, and now they sound terrific. Whew! That was scary. I mean, it really sounded horrible until I put my chair in reverse and gave my speakers some room to breathe.

toddc2 · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 07:44 pm »

I was thinking your chair looks too far back. I agree that moving back a little from the equilateral triangle position sounds better but I think the listening position should be about 38% from the back wall. Here's a link to the very helpful setup guide I found:

http://realtraps.com/art_room-setup.htm

Very nice looking setup!

rockadanny · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 08:03 pm »

Thanks toddc2. Thanks for the link. I wonder if I could have achieved better sound near my original seat position if I were to toe the speakers in much more, as per the referenced article suggests.

Folsom · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 08:09 pm »

I try to have my speakers 3ft from any walls. If that's not possible the min between them is 6ft. I sit somewhat close but I've found toe in just causes lots of comb filtering with my electronics. While using other devices that wasn't the case probably because they were so much softer and less bodied in general.

You could certainly try what I'm suggesting, to move the chair much closer but NOT toe the speakers in much at all. A few degrees like they are now might be plenty, maybe even a hair much.

The comb filtering utterly destroys imaging, btw.

And congrats, exciting to have a room where you have autonomy.

Bob2 · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 08:09 pm »

Nothing beats a dedicated space.
Congrats!
What speakers are those?

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 09:55 pm »

Congrats. The biggest advantage of a dedicated room is that it is (regardless of isolation/acoustics) your's to do with as you please.

My room is 8ft x 13ft x 21ft (Cardas) and I used the Cardas near-field setup (68 inch equilateral triangle) for years (with my 30-20k single driver speakers). Naturally no integration issues. Have since spread my speakers out to make a 120 degree angle from the chair (about 10.5ft apart) and very close to side walls which has enlarged the soundstage. Also replaced the small rack with a single shelf on the floor between the speakers. All made possible by having a dedicated room.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 10:00 pm »

Nice decor congratulations

Carl V · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 10:09 pm »

Nice set-up, nice decor nice system.
What are the new dimensions?
In the past what were you used to?

I am sure you will be adjusting speakers & chair
over the next few days, weeks & Months.

Maybe 7' apart with a bit more toe in & adjust
you chair as your ears & Mic suggest.

ArthurDent · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 10:29 pm »

Cool rockad

Was wondering if you'd settled in yet. Had some hints from a few of your posts, but have been waiting to hear officially. Room looks great, setup looks great, just one question...........where's my chair ?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 10:31 pm »

Quote from: ArthurDent on 18 Jul 2016, 10:29 pm

Cool rockad Was wondering if you'd settled in yet. Had some hints from a few of your posts, but have been waiting to hear officially. Room looks great, setup looks great, just one question...........where's my chair ?

There is no wife chair.

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 10:48 pm »

That's a great looking room

Guy 13 · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Jul 2016, 11:36 pm »

Congratulation for your new
and nice looking listening room Mr. rockadanny.

Guy 13

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 01:32 am »

Yeah, a whole year of agony now behind you. Looks fantastic. I'm nearing 7 months myself.

Oh, only blasphemers add a sub to full range speakers like yours!

ebag4 · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 01:53 am »

Fantastic looking room, congratulations. Please share the dimensions.

Best,
Ed

audioguy213 · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 01:56 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 18 Jul 2016, 10:31 pm

There is no wife chair.

Your wife doesn't lay at your feet while you listen to music?

rockadanny · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 02:53 am »

Thank you all for the kind compliments. A little embarrassing that my treatments are three different colors, but they are what they are. And I listen with very dim lighting anyway.

Bob2 - Eggleston Works Fontaines (originals). Dang! I should have removed their grills for the pictures.

Folsom - Yes, I agree. I'll likely be moving stuff around for months. But that is one of the fun aspects of this hobby. Free tweaks are the best!

Carl V - New room dimensions: 20.125' L x 12.67' W x 7.10' H ; carpet on concrete. Just a simple rectangle.
Old room dimensions: 24' W x 26' D x 8'-11' H (cathedral ceiling) suspended wood flooring. Very open to half of the house.
So VERY different.

Hey JD

- Sort of a bitter-sweet accomplishment. Been in the new (for us) house now for several weeks, during which I was let go from work (after 17 years). So, now at 61, I need to pound the (virtual) pavement again. So, instead of messing with and enjoying my system more, I'll be busy finding work instead. Such is life - so unpredictable.

FullRangeMan - Ha!! No wife chair!

Good one!!

Big Red Machine - Were that my only transgression ...

audioguy213 - OMG!!! You made me wet myself with that one!

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 02:59 am »

Quote from: rockadanny on 19 Jul 2016, 02:53 am

Hey JD - Sort of a bitter-sweet accomplishment. Been in the new (for us) house now for several weeks, during which I was let go from work (after 17 years). So, now at 61, I need to pound the (virtual) pavement again. So, instead of messing with and enjoying my system more, I'll be busy finding work instead. Such is life - so unpredictable.

If you happen to be a controls engineer, let me know, I need 2.

mresseguie · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 03:10 am »

That room looks great! Congratulations.

Sorry to read about change in fortunes job-wise. A good friend of ours left his job at 58 a couple months ago. He just found acceptable employment that he will be content with. Be patient. It will come.

sgr · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jul 2016, 03:18 am »

Very nice room.
I like how you did the ceiling/ wall boundaries. Nice setup for sure.