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Post by zsforum on Oct 22, 2020 16:01:10 GMT
Hi!
I am very new to thinking about acoustic treatment but I've read a number of your articles, which I've found impressive and educational.
I am currently planning to buy a new condo and am thinking about putting an audio (and tv) set up in a room with an unusual layout. Since I don't own the room yet I can't run any testing there (actually the room hasn't even been built yet) ![]() . The room will be laid out like this:
Note that audio source will be placed at the bottom of the image and listener will sit toward the top. There is a vertical soffit that runs through half the room, which effectively creates a back wall on two separate planes. I’m wondering if I could even out the back wall by filling the void (behind the dashed line) with a series of wood panel membrane traps. They would be off-center, of course, so I’m wondering if this would deliver a desirable result. Any input is much appreciated!
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Post by Hexspa on Oct 23, 2020 4:57:56 GMT
Is that a 2' soffit? If so, you pretty much have a roughly 1:1:0.75 square room. Since you're just getting into treatment, this isn't a big deal. However, if you plan to go far with your treatment efforts then you'll need to consider a more substantive approach than just filling in that gap.
Hope that helps.
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Post by zsforum on Oct 25, 2020 2:55:14 GMT
Thanks. The soffit should only be 1'. With 9' ceilings, the room will be 11:13:9. How close to perfect squareness before issues arise? Is >10% difference per side ok? Or does it need to be more like >20% I was thinking of angling the ceiling slightly, but angling the walls is probably not acceptable.
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Post by Hexspa on Oct 25, 2020 20:31:29 GMT
Your question is whether the room and orientation will produce a desirable result, right?
We have to qualify 'desirable'. Desirable for whom and for how long? I think any plan is better than nothing but is that what you're asking?
First off, the general principle is to orient along the length - whichever horizontal dimension which is longest. Regardless, you need to take acoustic measurements to find the ideal starting place for best results.
Second, regarding dimensions, it's less about 'how close can I be to a cube or square' as it is 'the closer you are the worse off'. This leads me to my third point.
You need more treatment than half of one wall filled. All rooms need extensive treatment for 'desirable' results but especially those which are nearest to being cubes. Most people will recommend at least 15-20% surface area coverage and try to make it thick.
You don't need to angle your ceiling.
Hope that helps.
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Post by zsforum on Oct 27, 2020 3:06:53 GMT
Thanks, this is quite helpful. One additional question about treatment in the soffit. I am, for sure, planning to use other treatment in the room as Mr. Winer's articles prescribe. My greatest concern at this point is: can I use the soffit to my advantage by filling it with a bass trap, of will acoustic treatment that is off-center (relative to the listening position) distort the listening experience? Thanks again!
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Post by zsforum on Oct 27, 2020 3:08:05 GMT
correction: "...OR will acoustic treatment that is off-center (relative to the listening position) distort the listening experience?
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Post by Hexspa on Oct 27, 2020 23:08:41 GMT
Definitely fill in the gap. Symmetry matters mostly from your ears forward. Ethan talks about staggered rear walls as being a potential benefit. Remember to measure your listening position before doing anything since, really, the length of your room is the other direction.
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