Listening room setup + library

I installed "standard" bookshelves on the front/speaker wall of our living room (replacing closed back self standing cases) and there was a noticeable increase in sound quality.

We still have closed back self standing bookshelves on two other walls (one wall 6 footers and the other 3 footers/below and 8 foot wide window), but there is definitely something good going on with the open backed/edge standards on the speaker wall.

Something to consider, and perhaps someone acoustically knowledgable can explain why this is the case (in my case).

Instead of "tracked" standards perhaps an open backed built in design that is offset an inch, or so, from the wall?

DeKay

PS:

I used narrow (5 1/2") boards for the shelves.

It looks more like a floating wall of books, than like a bookshelf.

I installed deeper "standards" in a bedroom (whole wall - floor to ceiling), but didn't like the look and changed it up to the narrow 5 1/2" version.

Larger books go in the deeper more traditional closed back shelves and huge format books get stacked on top of the 3' high shelves.

DeKay

@millercarbon,

’Most of the noise will come in through the door. (And a surprising amount will come in through the window, even when closed.) But mostly the door. Ideally you would replace the normal hollow core indoor door with a solid core outer door and use weather stripping same as if it was an entry door. At the very least do a good job weather stripping your door.

You’ll be shocked how much noise comes in from even a small crack or gap.’



Yes, it is surprising just how much does come from the door. As you say, a fair bit from the window too - even a double glazed one.

Once you start listening for background sounds it soon becomes apparent that silence is remarkably difficult to attain.

Or even near silence if you need to need to hear the door, family members calling for attention etc.

Your advice might just be one of the cheapest and simplest upgrades anyone could make.