Hydrology Posted May 30, 2008 Posted May 30, 2008 (edited) About to undertake a renovation of my AV Room in about 2 weeks, and while I have the chance Im going to see if I can improve room acoustics (on a budget of course). The current "look" of the room is now quite dated (what was I thinking, the COLOURS!), and Im going for a more neutral look that isnt imposing. I want a room that looks like its part of the rest of the house, and a room that feels comfortable when if you just want to sit i there and read on a rainy afternoon! Im not unhappy about how it all sounds, but at the same time due to my audio background I know the room is not ideal. For those not familiar with my AV equipment, here is what Im currently using in this room:- Yamaha RXV3800 AVR Panasonic AX100 PJ Toshiba XE1 HD-DVD XBox 360 Sony PS3 Nintendo Wii Topfield TF7000 HDPVR 72" Flocked 16:9 screen The only thing to change from the list above is the Panasonic is about to be replaced by a Sony VW60 1080p PJ, and ill be adding a Aussiemorphic MKII lens and going scope in the screen. The speakers being used are:- Richter Wizard Fronts (MKIII) Richter Legend Centre (MKIII) Richter Legend Rears (MKIII) REL T3 Sub I have no plans to change the speakers. While I know theyre nowhere near as good as my ELACs in the living room, they do the job of home theatre nicely. I will be adding (assuming it improves things) a second REL T3 to the opposite side of the room. However I am thinking of finally going 7.1, and the only logical place to add more speakers is in the ceiling, so most likely adding a pair of Krix Atmospherix or Yamaha YMAK800IC in the room. Finally the cabinet as seen in my pics is staying, although the CD cabinets against the front wall and the DVDs/HDM round the edge of the room are going. Here are the pics of the room:- http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1177.jpg http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1178.jpg http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1179.jpg http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1180.jpg In terms of renovation, I will either be painting all walls with a Dulux Interior Textured Finish (suede), or going for another type of textured finish (www.walldecor.net.au). The ceiling may also be painted a lighter shade to the walls (maybe a mid-cream). I am going for a "brownish-suede" look to the room as seen in this image (that probably led to my decision to revamp) http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...a20New20004.jpg http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...a20New20009.jpg The problems I have acknowledged in this room are the "First Reflection Points". I have ELAC's CARA CAD program coming to me in the next couple of weeks, in the interim Ive been using "FRP" which gives me a confirmed idea of the reflection points. Ive included a screen grab (room dimensions on side of pic in feet) here: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...tion-Points.jpg As you can see on the left wall, the reflection points start where the window in my room begins, so its been a tough couple of weeks deciding what to do here. Ive considered blocking the window with an MDF sheet, treated and painted to match the rest of the room (a cheap solution), or maybe a curtain (not my fav solution due to look and cost). The bottom line here is I cant throw much money at all at this "problem". Like the "Inspiration" pics, I intend to make absorbing panels using 6mm MDF, with wadding and cosmetic fabric strecthed over and stapled. I will be going for a nice thick carpet and some decent underlay(where the bulk of the finances will be going). I will be keeping this thread updated with progress pics as soon as the work commences, but any feedback or ideas in general feel free to post and we can discuss. I look forward to all those ideas coming forward guys and gals!! Edited August 6, 2008 by MarkH
Hydrology Posted June 2, 2008 Author Posted June 2, 2008 Some images of the Aussiemorphic II lens (courtesy of yorac):- Lens 1 Lens 2 Lens 3 Lens 4 Lens 5 The ball is officially rollling!
Guest EZYHD Posted June 2, 2008 Posted June 2, 2008 I must say Mark I really like your proposed choice in colours, should give a nice warm, comfortable and welcoming feel to the new HT room, I think a feature wall all a bit darker is the go where the gear and screen sits. Speaker wall plates and even some power point covers can be painted the same colour as the walls as they are only plugged in once, therefore don't stand out if left white.
Hydrology Posted June 10, 2008 Author Posted June 10, 2008 Well Ive an update of sorts... Brought home the Krix Atmospherix and installed them on Sunday. Ordered the Sony VW60 PJ last week and awaiting delivery of that. Got my Aussiemorphic MKII via yorac (thanks again) so really all thats required before I finish off the room is finalised choice of paint colours and getting a decorator in to do it, and choosing a carpet and underlay. Ill tackle the first reflection point when all the above are completed. I finally snagged a copy of Cara 2.2plus Room Acoustic Software (yes legit!) so Ill be playing with that to get an idea of where and what the problems are in the room. Its quite a complicated piece of software! Im still leaning toward curtains on the left wall where the window is - I might even make me own! Will update this post with pics later tonight of the progress work so far. Tomorrow the house alarm gets installed so all the gear is being removed from the room by midnight tonight in an attempt to gut the room and get a speed on organising the decor. Finally, Ive decided to create a blog specifically for this renovation, in the hope that it will help/inspire some. Im still organising the layout of said blog, buut will post the address in the next few days when Im happy with its look. However most of this thread and the blog will be one and the same.
Chippie1503561341 Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Your full steam ahead Mark Have you decided on the treatments to the window because a roman blind might work as they can fit in the reveal or flush with the wall. My window gives me many headaches aswell. Its as small as the council/room size ratio would allow. Even with 6.8mm laminated glass the sound still gets out . Im in the same boat with curtains,window plugs,acoustic treatments etc Im even thinking about building a second window in front of the exsiting one to help control bass levels . I like the colours you have in mind they will work great . Looking forward to your blog.
Cody Posted June 11, 2008 Posted June 11, 2008 i'm going to be undertaking a similar project in a similar room in a couple of months, so will be following your progress with interest Mark. i really like your choice of inspiration and may even pinch that for mine good luck with it.
Hydrology Posted June 12, 2008 Author Posted June 12, 2008 Cheers Chippie and D.G! I promised some update pics so here they are:- Krix Atmospherix (Boxed) http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1182.jpg Krix Atmospheirx Unleashed http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1183.jpg Rear Surround Right Hole http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1186.jpg Rear Surround Left Hole http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1187.jpg Rear Surround Left Fitted http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1188.jpg Rear Surround Right Fitted http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1189.jpg Cara Room Acoustic Software arrives! http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w248/Hy...om/IMG_1190.jpg Chose the carpet and underlay yesterday, so thats all ready to be installed - just waiting on grabbing a painter to do the room for me! Tried to contact Hivizone for the last 3 days regarding when my Sony PJ was due to leave Hong Kong - they finally emailed me last night saying they are having issues with stock and its due to be shipped early next week. Im not in a hurry for it but I hate when you part with that kind of cash and dont even get your email replied to. Oh, and I sold the Topfield TF7000PVRt in favour of a Beyonwiz DP-P1 !
Gutty Posted June 12, 2008 Posted June 12, 2008 Must get on with your dust cover... You planning on moving the couch and side surrounds forward Mark ? Or have i got the wrong idea somehow ?
Hydrology Posted June 12, 2008 Author Posted June 12, 2008 Must get on with your dust cover... You planning on moving the couch and side surrounds forward Mark ? Or have i got the wrong idea somehow ? Looking forward to that cover!! Because the room is small, space is a concern, so the couch must be against the back wall. Therefore the in-ceiling Krix are as close to being on the same plane as my ears (more or less). Not as forward as I would normally like, but its all Ive got to play with. Having said that, I did a test prior to cutting (two friends holding them at roof level !) and was quite impressed with how they performed where they were intended to go, probably better than my Richter Legen Rears (not surprised by this however). What impressed me most was how aware (without being too in-yer-face) I was of their presence, despite being further away from my ears than the Richters. It will be an interesting couple of weeks using CARA to work out the issues in the room!
Hydrology Posted June 13, 2008 Author Posted June 13, 2008 Just ordered an Xrite Display LT colorimeter from www.bhphoto.com - should be here in the next week or so. Ive also just launched my blog tracking the progress of this - the link is just there in my signature.
Cody Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 good stuff, the i/c speakers are looking a treat i am suprised you sold the toppy for the beyonwiz? im going the other way, as i feel a 1080p PJ will really show up the poorer PQ of the Beyonwiz. plus the toppy can output native res, which again allows more flexibility.
Hydrology Posted June 13, 2008 Author Posted June 13, 2008 good stuff, the i/c speakers are looking a treat i am suprised you sold the toppy for the beyonwiz? im going the other way, as i feel a 1080p PJ will really show up the poorer PQ of the Beyonwiz. plus the toppy can output native res, which again allows more flexibility. I know I know, but the network connect swayed me more for the sanity of my missus than me! I do admit the Topfield does pip the BW in the PQ stakes.
wheelz Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 All coming along nicely mark,be interested in the results/your thoughts of the Xrite colorimeter after you have had a bit of time using it.
Hydrology Posted June 13, 2008 Author Posted June 13, 2008 All coming along nicely mark,be interested in the results/your thoughts of the Xrite colorimeter after you have had a bit of time using it. Not a prob mate, you're welcome to borrow it if you buy me a 6-pack!
wheelz Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 Not a prob mate, you're welcome to borrow it if you buy me a 6-pack! Thanks for that mark,i'll take you up on that kind offer.
Rbk Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 I was thinking of going with the Dulux Metallic myself, it's not at all glossy looking at samples the Suede just seemed to have a little too much of a texture Have you painted yet?
Hydrology Posted June 13, 2008 Author Posted June 13, 2008 I found the Metallic finish has a slight sheen to it, something I dont want in this room. It does look nice though! Havent painted yet - gonna get it done professionally this time, so have a few quotes coming in. I have decided to go for either Stoney Retreat or Oyster farm from the River Rick Series from Dulux, with a European Stone finish for the ceiling. However I may just go for a flatter finish!!! Must decide in the next day or so.
FallenStorm Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 Hey MarkH, I'm looking forward to seeing your build and I'll be pinching some of your ideas too I think! I like your idea on the blog and understand what waiting for service is like when you've put down big money on something sight unseen. I waited 6 months once for a sound card for my computer, that was the last time I brought anything from overseas. I'm a buy in Australia only person now because of my bad experience. I've purchased a tw-2000 but mines coming from sydney, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was you! Cheers, Jeff
Hydrology Posted June 14, 2008 Author Posted June 14, 2008 Hey MarkH, I'm looking forward to seeing your build and I'll be pinching some of your ideas too I think! I like your idea on the blog and understand what waiting for service is like when you've put down big money on something sight unseen. I waited 6 months once for a sound card for my computer, that was the last time I brought anything from overseas. I'm a buy in Australia only person now because of my bad experience. I've purchased a tw-2000 but mines coming from sydney, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was you! Cheers, Jeff Cheers mate, Im not stressed (yet) about the PJ, as Ive known of Hivizone's existence and reputation for a long time now, just a little annoyed about the lack of updates. Not to worry. This overseas purchase however is the exception rather than the rule for me on high-ticketed items.
Hydrology Posted June 15, 2008 Author Posted June 15, 2008 (edited) Update The wall colours have been chosen. I decided NOT to go with a textered finish on the walls, for the fact that the colour samples I had - it was mentioned they can be quite noticeably different to the finished look, so I decided to play it safe and go for a flat matt finish. For those curious as to the colours I chose, here they are:- Feature Wall (PJ screen) - Dulux "Bunker" (A151 EB) Side and Rear Wall (inc. door) - Taubmans "Mascari" (T116-7) Ceiling - Wattyl "Camouflage Tan" (35C-2T) Got a quote this morning so confident I can get this done this week sometime. This arvo I cleared almost everything out of the room, everything except the gear of course. I'll leave them there until I do some touch up sanding. Pics of the room as of today:- Room 1 Room 2 Question - whats better than using a REL T3 subwoofer? Using two of course! REL Pic 1 REL Pic 2 Edited June 15, 2008 by MarkH
Thudd1503560234 Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 I'm a big fan of textured finishes - but that could also be that with an older house they hide a lot of sins on the walls!
Hydrology Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 I'm a big fan of textured finishes - but that could also be that with an older house they hide a lot of sins on the walls! Agreed, and was one of the reasons Id chosen that road. The painter has been booked for Wednesday week, so carpet will have to be laid after that, but it allows me a bit of time to sand down or fill some of the dodgy parts of the walls in this room, so the flat finish should come up a treat. Still waiting to hear from Hivizone when stock is ready to ship! Arghhhh!
suparockin Posted June 16, 2008 Posted June 16, 2008 Was also keen on 7.1 set up with the Krix in ceiling speakers, how much did you get yours for?
Hydrology Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 Was also keen on 7.1 set up with the Krix in ceiling speakers, how much did you get yours for? As a retailer it would be wrong of me (but to evrrybody's gain!) to tell you what I paid for them, needless to say if you need some I may be able to help you out...
Hydrology Posted June 17, 2008 Author Posted June 17, 2008 Finally got confirmation from Hivizone that my PJ has left their premises, but only after emailing them yesterday and today asking whats going on. Anyhoo, the fun begins!
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