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Soundstage/Imaging and The Room

I'm encountering an interesting phenomena.
I moved to Connecticut from California. When in California, I had a 10 x 13 x 27 room, dedicated outlets, the works. I had no problem with imaging,soundstage, etc. Now, here in Connecticut (I know! the geography counts for beans, but I wanted to give some background), I'm temporarily in a basement in the family home. The basement ceiling is 8' , with joists (planks that support the structure and hold up the floor) hanging down from the actual celing and spaced every two feet. So, in essence, with the 7" joists (planks of wood) hanging down, the height is about 7'5" and I notice that there's NO imaging whatsoever. I had even installed dedicated circuits (2) for the time being.
What's your take on minimum ceiling height for imaging? By the way, the basement is open, so it's 23' x 40' (give or take 5 feet). I can hear low level detail when music is playing, but the actual imaging is fascinatingly absent.
Equipment is a First Presence preamp, a Marsh A400s amp, Arcam FMJ23, Shunyata power cords, PS Audio line conditioner (and power cords) and Nordost interconnect with Synergistic speaker cable.
I've actually tried the setup two different ways: with the speakers set up so that they are aimed parallel to the joists, and setup so that they are aimed perpendicular to the joists --- no difference in imaging, but the sound is more "distant" when they're fired perpendicular to the joists. The music loses some "intimacy."
I'm finding this interesting. In a couple of months, I'll have a dedicated room added onto the house, but still, what are everyone's views on how the room's ceiling height affects imaging -- and soundstage boundaries? I'm wondering if all the ceiling joists hanging down interrupt and reflect the sound back onto the concrete floor and walls, and confuse the ear/brain into not "seeing" imaging. Especially since it makes it seem like a "low ceiling" effect. What do you think?
gbmcleod
rives
953 posts
 
I agree with your observations on ceiling height. Ceiling height is very important, but ceiling construction is even more important. We do many designs in basements where the ceiling height is 8 feet or less. Ideally we want diffusion throughout this large surface area, but do not want to sacrifice ceiling height. As such, we have designed a diffusion system that goes in the joists. In rooms using this system it sounds like the ceiling is 11 feet high instead of 8 and makes the sound stage very spacious. We have patent pending on this design
buscis2's avatar
buscis2
468 posts
 
Gbmcleod, First question, why the hell would you move from Cal. to Ct? I,m looking to make the opposite move soon as my whole immediate family lives in Del Mar. But anyway.

Second question, where in Ct. do you live, as some areas in Ct. have a much higher population density in regards to factories and shopping centers, ultimately inducing much more grunge into your AC, which could really do a number on your soundstage and imaging. In fact, try doing some listening late at night (after 11 or 12 pm). I find much a more defined soundstage at these later hours.

Now, just an idea to help you troubleshoot. Try tacking or nailing a medium density blanket or comforter flat to the ceiling joists. This will negate the effects of the direction of the joists. Hang the blanket starting at about 1 foot from behind the dispersion range of the speakers and from that point, allow the blanket protrude into your listening area. See if you notice a difference.

Also, I'm assuming the floor is carpeted? Is that correct?
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
I don't really know if ceiling height is the sole, or even the most important of your problems. There is probably lots of concrete which has its own acoustic rules. With out lots of wall treatments you are stuck with what you have. If this is temporary, I suggest you invest more energy in the room you are building and don't worry for now. A really good set of head phones helps.
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