Perfect Stereo Room Dimensions

wizzy

I can't seem to find this again and wondered if anyone knew ...

I remember seeing an article on how if you could build your stereo room to any dimensions you wanted, there was a plan and/or ratios that if you built the walls to ... dimensions, etc ... such that even if you built the room out of materials which were highly reflective it would be fine.

Does anyone have a link or info on this?

W

CoolJazz

There is a number of different pieces of advice on the web. Some better than others... But you might be thinking of the Cardas site. You can get the ratios there anyway.

But your comment as to the size of the room precluding the treatments for reflective surfaces is incorrect. The dimensional part is to avoid build up resonant modes...ie...low frequency points. Every measurement has a resultant frequency. You are designing to avoid a similar resonance in a second length. So if a certain measurement has a resultant resonance of 100hz (and harmonics of 200 and 300), then you don't want another direction of the three in the room to also equal any of these numbers.

High frequency slap, reflection points from walls, floors and ceilings are all together a different issue. Best room treatment is to not overly dampen a room, just dampen the primary reflections but allow the room to still have some natural decay and liveness. Over deadening gets a black background but is not natural sounding unless you spent your life living in a richly decorated hotel room. :cool:

CoolJazz

Systems

wizzy wrote: »

Does anyone have a link or info on this?

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

CoolJazz

Wiener knows his stuff regarding acoustics but is a blithering idiot regarding electronics.

For example....He's "determined" that jitter is a non-issue! Among several other absolute lunatic ideas. So approach with care...

Systems

CoolJazz wrote: »

Wiener knows his stuff regarding acoustics but is a blithering idiot regarding electronics.

I won't disagree, he is abit of an extremist but on the acoustics side he does offer some good advice and the linked article does have some useful nuggets of wisdom that if applied can improve the sound of ones listening room.

hearingimpared

Square room = no, no

wizzy

Thanks CJ - I was just in Knoxville at the U

From http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area=insights&content_id=36&pagestring=Room+Setup+10

wizzy

hearingimpared wrote: »

Square room = no, no

Hmm, just out of curiosity, what if your room walls formed a sphere?

Kind of like the Cerebro room.

CoolJazz

wizzy wrote: »

Hmm, just out of curiosity, what if your room walls formed a sphere?

Kind of like the Cerebro room.

Then you find yourself with an unexplainable hunger for chicken salad sandwiches while listening...

mshan242700

The Rives Audio website also has some good info on optimizing room for optimal acoustics.

rru2s

Interesting that the acoustical properties of a sphere were mentioned. While very few would find it practical or affordable to constuct a home listening room in this shape, it is noteworthy that certain curved shapes behind the speakers may in fact create some very uneven room acoustics. For example, has anyone ever been to one of those "whisper rooms" in a science museum whereby whispering from a focal point near one end of an oval-shaped room results in highly efficient transmission of sounds to a similar focal point at the other end? This effect is because the curved shape reflects all sounds emanating from one point off of the rear walls at the precise angle for the sound waves to converge at the listener's spot at focal point at the other end of the room. I seriously doubt that the anyone would want to design a room with such a tiny "sweet spot". However, if the curvature were designed in other ways, for example, a slight bowed shape similar to the outer cabinets of the current RTi series speakers, then this would be a very effective way to reduce reflective reinforcement of certain frequencies somewhat.

Hawkeye

GV#27 wrote: »

I won't disagree, he is abit of an extremist but on the acoustics side he does offer some good advice and the linked article does have some useful nuggets of wisdom that if applied can improve the sound of ones listening room.

Aren't we all a bit on the extreme side of audio?

Gordon

NotaSuv

rru2s wrote: »

Interesting that the acoustical properties of a sphere were mentioned. While very few would find it practical or affordable to constuct a home listening room in this shape, it is noteworthy that certain curved shapes behind the speakers may in fact create some very uneven room acoustics. For example, has anyone ever been to one of those "whisper rooms" in a science museum whereby whispering from a focal point near one end of an oval-shaped room results in highly efficient transmission of sounds to a similar focal point at the other end? This effect is because the curved shape reflects all sounds emanating from one point off of the rear walls at the precise angle for the sound waves to converge at the listener's spot at focal point at the other end of the room. I seriously doubt that the anyone would want to design a room with such a tiny "sweet spot". However, if the curvature were designed in other ways, for example, a slight bowed shape similar to the outer cabinets of the current RTi series speakers, then this would be a very effective way to reduce reflective reinforcement of certain frequencies somewhat.

there is a great example of this at Grand Central Station in NYC.....near the oyster bar

jm1

Height Width Length
1.00 : 1.14 : 1.39
1.00 : 1.28 : 1.54
1.00 : 1.60 : 2.33

ex.
8' ceiling
12' 9" width
18' 6" length

cnh

This is off the subject but I was talking to a guy who installs High End HT systems and jm1s ratios look good. This guys Demo room has a 8K Sony HD projector, And all Meridian system, with two Monster Atlantic Tech subs and a rectangular 12' x 19' X 10' (height). Watched a Blu-ray on this--sound treatments on all (and I mean ALL surfaces--with home theater seating--and something like Buttkickers under the seats).

Sounded pretty impressive!

cnh