@erik_squires I agree about diffusion. I’ve now gone the over-damped route and am seeing how to make my space "alive" without brightness. So...
I have two of these:
https://images.app.goo.gl/rkE6t1jUgAMBoHCm7QUESTION: How would you lay the GROUNDWORK for diffusion?
@mesch Thanks for your reply. Some questions below. I will design the space for audio, once the kids leave. I’d probably just have a different amp for video, as I don’t want to run tubes for video all the time. I already own a Denon AVR and klipsch speakers for A/V. Maybe I’d ditch the speakers or put them on surround duty.
Insulate between joists with two layers of 6" insulation covered by 5/8’ drywall.
QUESTION: What kind of insulation? R38?
The 17’ dimension can be played with by furring out the concrete walls as desired. Insulate between wall material and concrete. Use 5/8" drywall for wall. Consider this the width. Frame in a cross wall to the desired length.
Given you are running Mono amps and a pre with digital source I would route 3 dedicated lines to the room for equipment, one to amps, one to pre, and one for digital front end.
QUESTION: If I had a separate set of components for A/V would you do 4 dedicated lines? That seems like a lot.
I would consider placing a equipment rack for sources and pre at one side of listening chair. Mono amps on stands where best suits.
Have nothing between speakers.
QUESTION: Makes it hard to have a TV, but I suppose if there’s a "false wall" it could hide the TV. Sound ok?
Room ratio is a tough one. If one looks at various ratios, some say 1 H x 1.67 W x 2.7 L (P.S. Audio) and that works out, with an 8 foot ceiling to 21.6 x 13.3 x 8. That amounts to reducing width by almost 4 feet and the length by 6 feet. Not sure how that will work for various purposes. This is why I was thinking to keep the ceiling open (without drywall) and have it at 9 feet. That way I could have a ratio of 9 x 15 x 24 as a target and just need to pull off the walls by a couple feet. Still, I guess once you start building out from concrete (one exterior wall) you can probably bump out pretty easily, eh?