[Bigfish]

Guys:

I did not want to step on the post asking us to rank the importance of various components of an audiophile system.  Based on the results everyone recognizes the importance of treating the room.  Okay, given that we agree the room needs treatment how do you guys deal with treating the room when it is your family, tv room in addition to being your audio room?  In other words how do you deal with WAF in that you cannot hide the treatments as your audio room is also your family room?

I really would appreciate how some of you have handled this question.

Thanks,

Ken

[rockadanny]

I store panels in a nearby closet and hang up when doing critical listening. I'll also shove a few pieces of furniture out of the way as well. It only takes three minutes to ready the room. But I only do this once or twice per week. This way I can treat more than what's mutually acceptable, except for the ceiling that is.

[richidoo]

In other words how do you deal with WAF in that you cannot hide the treatments as your audio room is also your family room?

I took down the 8th nerves and sold them all - by request...

But momma is happier, and still talks about how glad they are not there anymore. I don't know why, they looked fine to me... It was fun to hear the comments from "normal people" guessing what they were - speakers, lights, microphones, padding, cooling ducts, whatever... Maybe that bugged her that people "didn't even know what they were..." I dunno. But right now I have 4 pairs of full size speakers stacked up in the corners in there so it looks like junk pile, but she doesn't say a peep about that. I guess she knows where the hand truck is (and the curb.) 

RPG is supposed to be coming out with a solid flat surface that can be painted, and will still be absorbent, but pretty thin so it won't go deep. I haven't checked the website in a long time. Another surface treatment is some kind of porous spread on gook that dries with air gaps to absorb sound a little, but the color is mixed in ahead of time, trained applicator contractors, you know what that means $$$. There are companies that make track edge that you can use to make tight smooth edges that look very neat and tidy and hide the acoustic element underneath, usually absorbent because it is usually only 2" deep. You could cover the walls of a whole room or wall with it, and it would look pretty nice in fabric of her choice. But it is still a fabric wall, looks like an office hall, or a vegas casino with visible track lines every 4 feet for the fabric roll's max width.

Bass trapping on the floor is pretty invisible, if you can cover it with curtains in the corner, plants or behind the couch, etc. It still works when blocked. But watch out for the ceiling, don't go there... "Clutter!" My most feared word. Another option is to cover absorbtion panels on the walls with tapestries. There are some nice ones available from here.

Of course there is always reverse psychology, aka brainwashing, try to make her WANT the room treatments even more than you, then reluctantly give in for her birthday present.     But Vera (and all audiophile wives) are too smart for that. Better let her decide how to solve the problem. Say, "Here is the problem keeping me from perfect joy. Here are the technologies to solve it, (pointing to the one you want.) Here are the decorative options. Please help me figure this out (and I will take you to Bahamas.)"  You never know...

We are so lucky to be blessed with this so called "problem"...
Rich

[JLM]

Try a cooperative effort where you allow her to pick the cloth color/material typically used to cover absorption panels.  Decorative fabrics, even commissioned artwork can be infused into the material. 

Many of freestanding bass traps can be used as used as stands for plants/etc. with no little or no loss of acoustical performance.

Room furnishings can be selected to help.  Cloth versus leather covered upholstery, heavier (more energy efficient) window treatments, book cases (make excellent diffusion panels), rugs (floor and wall hung), consider chinese screens, overstuffed seating, replacing a conventional coffee table with a long padded bench (we did), even plants can help.  Use your imagination.

[Big Red Machine]

Why not show her lots of studios and heavily treated dedicated rooms and ask for something inbetween?

[sleepysurf]

How about something like these "Art" absorptive acoustic panels...
http://www.msr-inc.com/salon_acoustics/salon.html
I recall seeing another source for something similar, but forget the website.

Another "furniture-like" option are the GIK Elite Pillar Bass Traps, that look like pedestals...
http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_elite_pillar.html

I'm facing the same issue with my Family/Listening room, but haven't yet decided which solution(s) to use.

[Housteau]

There have been some very good suggestions given above.  Fortunately I have a dedicated room and get to do what I wish, but I still want it to look nice.  For a regular domestic room I think you can build your own triangular corner bass traps that take up very little space and they can look quite nice with a covering of your choice.  Filling in corners is the best way to control the bass and it doesn't intrude into the room much at all.  In fact with the right covering they can look as a part of the room itself, and not an addition if you wish.

[Don_S]

sleepysurf,   Great sites.  Now I am sorry I made my own frames.  Those look great and the GIK prices are attractive.  I wish I had seen them a couple of years ago.

[rabpaul]

Try a cooperative effort where you allow her to pick the cloth color/material typically used to cover absorption panels.  Decorative fabrics, even commissioned artwork can be infused into the material. 

This is by far the best way to go about this. Its as simple as "I need to treat the room and would appreciate your suggestions on what would look and work best."

[satfrat]

From the MSR-inc website, this room treatment picture might be something your wife would appreciate,,,

An Audiophile Doorway

           

 
Cheers,
Robin

[chadh]

From the MSR-inc website, this room treatment picture might be something your wife would appreciate,,,

An Audiophile Doorway

           

 
Cheers,
Robin

I don't get it.

Chad