rzkman Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 Hi Guys, After many years of saving, I am finally planning to build an extension to my house with a dedicated thearte room in mind. But I need some suggestions for a design problem I am facing. Please find a diagram of the planned room here http://rzk.smugmug.com/gallery/247436 As you can see the shape of the room is a big irregular due to the location of the stairs (one set going up and another set going down). Taking the stairs out of the equation, the room is roughly 5.5m wide and 9.5m long. The west side of the room I plan to put large glass panels that will provide a nice view of a feature garden when the HT is not in use. I plan to use heavy drapes to cover this wall when the HT is being used. On the east side of the room, I didn't plan to put any windows there at all, as the view is pretty ordinary, but the architect has put a window in the corner. I believe this is for ventilation purposes. I plan to put a fixed screen (not sure on sizing yet), on the north wall (top of diagram) and have a projector mounted appropriately in the middle of the room (will work this out later depending on what projector I get, image size etc..) Here is my problem. I am finding the placement of the front speakers very difficult. I think the irrregular shape of the room will provide an unequal distribution of the sound. With the staircase jutting out like it is, it will probably reflect a lot of the sound from the NE speaker. I have throught of installing shelving in this corner, but it is quite deep (1.1m). And there is also the problem with the window in that corner. I guess at this stage I am looking for any ideas. As this will be my first HT (it was a case of all or nothing for me ;-) ) I need as much help as I can get. I don't think the architect that I am speaking with has much experience dealing with the basic requirements for a HT room, which is why I am hoping to get some ideas if I can. I appreciate any suggestions you might have. Cheers, Ray.
grumpyone Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 Hi Guys, After many years of saving, I am finally planning to build an extension to my house with a dedicated thearte room in mind. But I need some suggestions for a design problem I am facing. Please find a diagram of the planned room here http://rzk.smugmug.com/gallery/247436 As you can see the shape of the room is a big irregular due to the location of the stairs (one set going up and another set going down). Taking the stairs out of the equation, the room is roughly 5.5m wide and 9.5m long. The west side of the room I plan to put large glass panels that will provide a nice view of a feature garden when the HT is not in use. I plan to use heavy drapes to cover this wall when the HT is being used. On the east side of the room, I didn't plan to put any windows there at all, as the view is pretty ordinary, but the architect has put a window in the corner. I believe this is for ventilation purposes. I plan to put a fixed screen (not sure on sizing yet), on the north wall (top of diagram) and have a projector mounted appropriately in the middle of the room (will work this out later depending on what projector I get, image size etc..) Here is my problem. I am finding the placement of the front speakers very difficult. I think the irrregular shape of the room will provide an unequal distribution of the sound. With the staircase jutting out like it is, it will probably reflect a lot of the sound from the NE speaker. I have throught of installing shelving in this corner, but it is quite deep (1.1m). And there is also the problem with the window in that corner. I guess at this stage I am looking for any ideas. As this will be my first HT (it was a case of all or nothing for me ;-) ) I need as much help as I can get. I don't think the architect that I am speaking with has much experience dealing with the basic requirements for a HT room, which is why I am hoping to get some ideas if I can. I appreciate any suggestions you might have. Cheers, Ray. what i would class as an ideal size theatre room, is 5mx7m. As you have a larger room, the positioning of your seating will be a major factor for your sound. I would put my speakers in the front corners, and if you have any doubts about loss of sound quality (stair well) put in wall mounted or ceiling mounted speakers half way the length of your room. this is just an idea, but then again your amp might not support this feature. grumpyone
Mjr69 Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 It is sad that even when starting anew we are still faced with compromise. Those stairs really bite into the plan.... Don't spread the screen and speakers the whole width of the widest part of the room. I would make the front speakers and screen fit into the approx 5 metres LHS of the room in sympathy with where it narrows and have the rear speakers parallel and either wall mounted or if tall, behind the rear seats. Have a walkway on the LHS adjacent to the sliding doors and build a 10-12 inch plinth to put a rear set of seats/couches behind the stair door. Leaving plenty of space in front of the same stairdoor for the front rows. I would enclose the area adjacent to the staircase up to the Top wall (on the RHS) with shelving/cabinetry to position your equipment /storage/ treats area. It could be very nice indeed. If I didn't explain myself well enough, drop me an email.
Dik Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 If it was me (and it isn't) I would use the set back area as storage and install a second set of curtains along the right hand wall to cover the storage area and wall, making the room rectangular. This should give a good acoustic balance, and look good. Curtains don't just have to be over windows, they can also hide expanses of wall too. And if you want to access the storage, or whatever else may be in the setback, just draw back the curtains! Best of luck, Dik
rzkman Posted October 12, 2004 Author Posted October 12, 2004 Thanks a lot for your great ideas. Yes is a bit sad that even though the room is mean to be purpose built to be a HT, we needed access to the stairs somewhere to access a cellar below. And we can't excavate too close to the house, so that is why it ended up there it is. I do like the idea of the curtains. Not too savvy in regards to acoustics though. So as a rule, its better to have a curtain that would absorb sound waves as opposed to a hard surface like a shelf that would reflect waves (hence possibly causing issues with dead spots??) Hmmm...might have to install my equipment rack at the rear of the room then....drooling at the thought always. Cheers guys.. Ray.
Steerpike Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 I'd go along with what Dik wrote. Had a look at your plan and thought the same thing. (Didn't think of curtains though). I thought of either installing a large shelf / storage area there or possibly a false wall with the components set inside (you'd need access inside of course). Maybe a combination of the two - have a 'built-in' type cupboard installed with shelving for your components (and maybe a few of those pretty looking dust-collectors which tends to appease the boss (she-who-must-be-obeyed). Good luck.
ijd Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 rzkman, Have a look back at these previous posts regarding DarrylP's setup: My first advice based on previous experience with very expensive high-end equipment and a room not dissimilar to yours. There are many valuable hints from a number of contributors to that thread. My contribution to another thread on speaker setup. Many other valuable contributions from others before and after mine. Read both those threads from start to finish and you will become more expert than any one of us individually!! To summarise my advice/opinions: Square off the room by closing off the alcove beside the stairs (south wall) with a relatively hard surface (cabinets, floor-to-ceiling swing doors, solid sliding doors, reasonably hard folding screens, other creative ideas?). This will minimise weird boominess from bass reflections while also keeping the high frequencies intact for an "openness" to the sound (highly desirable!). Put all your equipment and display/s at the far end (east wall) for easy access - or in the closed-off alcove for minimum clutter (keeping the display on the east wall, of course). Make sure there is a TV outlet installed there with quad-shielded RG-6 cable from the antenna so that you can "go digital TV" at some time. Do NOT use heavy curtains over the glass doors (north wall). They will totally "deaden" the sound. In the past I have used very lightweight - and not entirely private after dark! - blinds to cover similar large glass sliding doors. They do not deaden the bass, but they also do not allow the room to become too "bright" with 100% reflected high frequencies. (There is a link to an old photo in one of my posts). Carefully consider floor coverings over the concrete slab as well - if you are fussy about sound quality! A hard floor (tiles, lino, wood, etc) will be too bright; a soft floor (carpet, seagrass matting, whatever) will be too dead. Half-and-half was my solution - with a central carpeted square surrounded by granite tiles! If this is important to you, then PM me for more details if you don't find an answer in the above threads. After you have installed everything, come back to us with any specific problems you have with the sound. Without knowing the actual equipment you will use - and how fussy you are about sound, light intrusion, privacy from snoopers, etc - it is difficult to be specific now. It will not be too late to fine-tune things then - if you get the above basics right from the start. If you combine the above advice (which is only one man's opinion) with all the other expert advice available here from some very knowledgeable people, you will have one of the best Home Theatres in the country! Don't be afraid to ask as many questions here as you like - there are many others reading these threads from all over the world who can either help you or learn from the answers given by others! Hope this helps, Ian
rzkman Posted October 13, 2004 Author Posted October 13, 2004 Hi Ian and all, Thanks all for the great information provided. You almost need a Bachelor of Home Theatre to get through (and understand) the theory behind everything. I am sure there will be many nights of reading and posting of questions ahead! I will be on vacation for the next month, so will catch you guys when I get back. At least now I have some really good ideas on what can be done to square off my room. Cheers, Ray.
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