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Building a new room

Hello All,

I will be using a contractor to build a new dedicated audio room in the basement. The room dimensions will roughly be 19'X14'X8'.

Three walls are already finished and are concrete walls behind dry walls. I am thinking of making the third wall with 2X4s and double dry per side with Green Glue used between them. Also plan to add 10-gauge wire for a dedicated audio circuit. I believe this should be 20-amp circuit?. Also will not go with can light. Instead would prefer the ceiling spot lights. Do not plan to run a separate ground, as of now.

What insulation have folks used before for sound proofing? I was at Menyards for picking the Green Glue and came across UltraTouch+ denim insulation. Does this work better in dry walls and in ceilings?

What other points am I missing or should be taking care? Please share your experiences.
128x128milpai
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
A room is an adventure, yet it is the most important 'component' you will ever buy. I built a room years ago. Some things to consider: build up the floor over 2x4's and sheeting and then lay carpet; use dimmers that are RF proof; if your heating plant is in the basement you need to isolate it otherwise the noise will seep into the room. I put mine on isolation pads and treated the duct work with sound proofing; consider a separate electrical panel and service to service just that room; hopefully the dry wall was glued and not screwed to the studs. Plan to pull the speakers out from the wall, at least to a point they are in a 'third' point in the room. Keep all your gear on a side wall and out of the speakers first reflection points. Be prepared to do acoustic tweaks for a few months to you get 'better sound', like Jim Smith recommends. Enjoy.
brauser
525 posts
 
We recently finished a Home Theater room of very similar dimensions. At each corner we brought the wall in at a 45 degree angle a couple of feet to avoid the traditional standing waves problems associated with most rectangular rooms. Placing the speakers then against the flat corners and positioning the seating to the natural crossing points has created a 'sweet seat' area that is truly spectacular with good source material. As far as a dedicated circuit, flooring, etc...I basically agree with what has been said to this point.
milpai's avatar
milpai OP
2,401 posts
 
Buconero117,
The furnace is in the basement and will be behind the new 4th wall. Hence I want to use double dry walls on both sides for this 4th wall. The furnace is already in place - so I cannot put isolation pads underneath it. Hence I want to know what type of isolation pads to use in this 4th wall being built? Regular fiberglass or the one I mentioned above? I do not have the speaker cables to move the equipment to one side. I can get that done at a later point. For right now, I can get a stand that is lower and place my equipment between the speakers. I also plan to get some Hubble IG outlets at couple of places. Yes, I am ready to do some acoustic tweaks.

Brauser,
I have some GIKs for the bass trap. Hence do not plan to do the wall at 45 degrees. I do plan to get the speakers at least 4 feet from front wall and 3 feet from side walls. It will all depend on how the speakers sound in that room.
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