Man Cave or No?


I'm curious whether most folks have a dedicated room for their rig or have their setup in one of the main living areas of their home. Since our house is of modest proportions, with no family room, media room or finished basement, my system sits in the living room (where we actually "live"). As a result, we have tried to (have been forced to) integrate the stereo into the surroundings so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes I wish I had a dedicated room where I could go and escape the noise and distractions of "living"--a real "man cave" for my hifi and music collection. A place where I could set up the speakers optimally in the space and leave cables running here and there without concern about someone tripping (or chewing) on them. On the other hand, I wonder whether I would listen as often if I had to "go somewhere" to listen to music--it is real nice to drop right onto the living room couch and hear some tunes and sometimes my wife will join me for awhile. As long as she's not talking to me I like the company. In the "man cave" I'd be ALONE. Anyway, from the looks of some of the systems I've seen posted it looks like most audiophiles have a "special room" where they set up their rigs. Just wondering how people view the trade off between "man cave" and "system in the living area" thing.
128x128dodgealum
When my middle daughter was about 2 or 3, she walked over to the system and cranked up the volume. Scared her straight.
Yes, a dedicated man cave for listening to music in the basement. The whole reason for this, was so that my wife would not be disturbed when I listen to music while she tried to sleep.

In fact, we joke the house was built around the listening room, double inusulated and double concrete outer walls, soundproof door, slab with 6" water barrier increasing thickness even more, top floor heat increased ceiling height also, about 24" thick concrete ceiling.

The room is 24.5' x 18.5'. The whole back wall is covered with Ikea Expedit racks and I have room trapping and absorbers strategically placed throughout. I need to update my gallery. Worth it, yes, and also since it is large enough to have a full size couch, my wife does join me often. When friends come over, sometimes we also go to the room and listen to music and drink wine as if we were in the family room.

I can see where people feel like they are isolated from things happening above ground though.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life
Dedicated sound room and separate dedicated theater and separate dedicated computer room....

No kids...Lucky guy! (but you gotta see my electric bill!)