Improving sound in the room


I am in the processing of performing some room remodeling and in association with this am converting what used to be our breakfast room into an home theatre room. The room measures 12' X 18' (+/- a couple inches). It presently has ceramic tiles, but is being refloored in hardwood (tomorrow - no changing this). There are quite a few windows (totalling about 50% of 3 of the 4 walls). On the fourth wall there is a larger passage way (no door) going into the area between the family room and kitchen. This fourth wall is also a solid wood wall (similar to tongue and groove flooring). Ceiling is angled from 7' 6" angling up to about 13'.

Equipment: 50" plasma on east wall, facing west. Speakers are all B&W (including a 600 subwoofer, didn't want to go too strong on the sub due to room characteristics).

I am looking for advise on what I can do to dampen the sound waves while still appearing acceptable (to my wife). We just ordered a small sectional (clothe vs. leather) and will use an area rug between the front speakers and the seating area.

Question: has anybody ever made clothe panels with intersting fabrics that were framed with egg trays installed behind them for sound dampening (or something similar to this)? Black panels and exposed foam is definately NOT acceptable.

Any suggestions or experiences with this? I am not willing to tear down the walls and put up specialty walls.

Thanks truly for your knowledgeable feedback.

Chris Koffend
ckoffend
Not egg trays but compressed fiberglass. Good for absorbtion and the thicker the better for bass (and placed in corners). See www.realtraps.com or www.rivesaudio.com for ideas.

Kal
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Except for the white color of the ceramic tile surface, this is invisible to the interior decorator police in most households.
And, if you are needing still more room tuning, you can go with the traditional visually obtrusive ideas, or the virtually invisible avant-garde, bordering upon the mystical, love 'em or leave 'em, large size Brilliant Pebbles bottles at a number of locations derived from practical experience.
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I made panels with Owens Corning sheets covered in Needled Cotton to match my room, squares can be made and covered in diffrent colors, mounted in diffrent patterns and can create a rather designer look that can be both beneficial and pleasing to look at.
Good option Chadnliz, you get the color and size you want and put the reflection killing panels exactly where they do the most good.

I've always wondered why some company doesn't screen fine art on acoustically transparent cloth with acoustic fiberglass underneath, and add a fancy picture frame. Everyone would be raving about the attractive new addition, not knowing it was there to help the acoustics :^).