Andythiing Posted April 13 Posted April 13 A friend who has a pretty good audio setup (stereo focus) is in the early stages of a new build - land purchased and initial design for house selected but final building contract not yet signed. what things should I suggest he investigate/consider in the build to maximise acoustic perfection (ok at least some acoustic improvements) - whilst keeping it a multi-purposed space - ie kitchen dining lounge - it’s a large open space - kitchen at far end and opposite end is planned for speaker placement - he runs 2.1 with quality speakers and large rel sub room plans attached so so I’m thinking - request appropriate acoustic gyprock? Is air gap overkill? - acoustic insulation behind all walls or just rear? - plan for bass traps and some listening wall diffusion - get an acoustician’s advice? Who and how much -dedicated power line? - windows will need heavy drapes? suggestions of great websites for reading up more/getting ideas much appreciated not a member but I’ll pass on any guidance thanks in advance for any ideas/help
Keith_W Posted April 13 Posted April 13 27 minutes ago, Andythiing said: so so I’m thinking - request appropriate acoustic gyprock? Is air gap overkill? - acoustic insulation behind all walls or just rear? - plan for bass traps and some listening wall diffusion - get an acoustician’s advice? Who and how much -dedicated power line? - windows will need heavy drapes? Lucky friend. He needs to ask himself how serious he wants to get? Because "very serious" means having to put up with some compromises. Like, it won't be a shared space, it will be dedicated. No noisy appliances (like refrigerators and dishwashers) in the same room. The air conditioning system has to be specially designed. Before he begins, he has to understand what compromises he is willing to make. The architect should be able to advise on details of the construction. Architects receive training on how to design buildings for acoustics. Some even specialise in it. He needs to know that sound isolation and low noise floor is a priority. This means that all air gaps to the outside need to be sealed (a good idea anyway - it lowers your heating and cooling bills!), windows may need to be double glazed, and so on. Re: room treatment, that is up to an acoustician. I don't know who works in Adelaide, but a few people in Melbourne have been using @CORSINI Acoustic Solutions. Maybe chat to them and find out if they are willing to work that far away. You want them involved in the design stage. Dedicated power line: depends if your friend believes in that stuff or not. IMO it's a waste of time and money. Bass traps: forget it. It eats too much into room space. If he is going to go through all that trouble, I would suggest excavating a basement with nice, high ceilings and using that as a listening room. 1
Andythiing Posted April 13 Author Posted April 13 2 hours ago, Keith_W said: Lucky friend. He needs to ask himself how serious he wants to get? Because "very serious" means having to put up with some compromises. Like, it won't be a shared space, it will be dedicated. No noisy appliances (like refrigerators and dishwashers) in the same room. The air conditioning system has to be specially designed. Before he begins, he has to understand what compromises he is willing to make. The architect should be able to advise on details of the construction. Architects receive training on how to design buildings for acoustics. Some even specialise in it. He needs to know that sound isolation and low noise floor is a priority. This means that all air gaps to the outside need to be sealed (a good idea anyway - it lowers your heating and cooling bills!), windows may need to be double glazed, and so on. Re: room treatment, that is up to an acoustician. I don't know who works in Adelaide, but a few people in Melbourne have been using @CORSINI Acoustic Solutions. Maybe chat to them and find out if they are willing to work that far away. You want them involved in the design stage. Dedicated power line: depends if your friend believes in that stuff or not. IMO it's a waste of time and money. Bass traps: forget it. It eats too much into room space. If he is going to go through all that trouble, I would suggest excavating a basement with nice, high ceilings and using that as a listening room. Thanks Keith much appreciated - to answer the question for others as well - my guess is not as serious as dedicated room or new basement addition basically the “simple” things like building material selection that might make an impact but perhaps only add slightly to over cost - ie up-spec gyprock and insulation - will definitely mention air gaps etc you are quite correct he needs to consider some formal advice - but perhaps good to arm him with the right questions/ideas again much appreciated
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