Leave it Open or Close it Off: A Listening/ Living Room Dilemma


We are doing a bit of remodeling and I have the option to add a pocket door to close off an open hallway in the rear left of the room. My setup is 2qty floor standers and 2qty REL S/510 subs. The room is 15x20 with an 8' ceiling. My speakers aim down the long wall. The room has a TV but it's mostly a listening room with minimal furnishings: 1 normal sofa and 1 end table behind the listening position. 

Here's what I'm thinking: if a 40hz soundwave is 28ft, wouldn't it be better to leave the hallway open so that the soundwave has more room to do its thing?

On the other hand I'm thinking having a decently sealed 3' wide solid-wood pocket door there instead of an open hallway might pressurize the room better?

Has anyone been in this situation or have enough knowledge about acoustics/ physics to know which would be the better choice? 

 

 

veerossi

I realized I should have shared the track I’ve used, but I can’t find it. However, I did find this. Looks really useful. 

For analogue I use the old Shure Audio Obstacle Course test record

when i leave the door open behind my listening position...the bass is more even as confirmed by my measurement mic. It's effectively a free full range bass trap. 

@kokomo I tried the Spectrum app, but I prefer the Decibel X app more. 

@bolong hardwood floors with some thick padding and a deep shag rug that covers more than 1/2 the room. 

@seanheis1 That's what I was afraid of: paying to make these changes to the room and then finding out it was better without it. I'd be pretty disappointed wasting the money on it.

I have a dedicated listening room which is about 21 feet by 25 feet with a vaulted ceiling. It has a double door entry way with two steps leading down into the room. I prefer to close those doors during listening sessions as I feel it improves the overall sound quality. The room also has it's own separate bath room and I even close that door.