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Stone fireplace wall effects on acoustics?

The living room (where my system is going) in my new house has a stone fireplace wall that is about 10 feet wide from floor to ceiling.  The rocks are uneven type river rock in a random pattern.  I prefer the layout of the room where this wall is to the right of the speakers (about 4.5 feet from the right speaker) so the speakers would be able to fire into the dining/kitchen/4 season room.  

I am almost 100% opposed to mounting a huge tv above a fireplace due to viewing angle and having to conduit cables instead of running them in the wall.

I have complete freedom over decorating so even installing full wall acoustic treatment is not out of the question.  There are actually some slat wall treatments that would probably end up looking pretty slick.

Is this type of stone wall going to trash my acoustics and if so what would you do to correct it?
yukispier
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Very negative will kill imaging and bass.Good luck though!!
pauly
1,012 posts
 
Try your preferred layout and see what it sounds like. Given you want to limit first reflections I doubt the fireplace will be any worse than a regular wall. It will probably sound better than a regular untreated wall.
whart's avatar
whart
2,982 posts
 
I'll echo Pauly and add- the suck out problem, as I know it, typically arises when people put their speakers to either side of the FP, which may look grand but as all of you are aware, has to be dealt with. Hard to predict in the abstract how it would affect sound on a side wall and apart from the hole (FP), you might wonder what the rock sounds like (as opposed to sheetrock or whatever lines your interior walls). 
Agree, set up and optimize- I did a move several years ago, and even with the same system, it took me time to dial it in.
I don't like aftermarket acoustic treatment generally, but use unobtrusive bass traps and window treatment, not uncommon...
Even if somebody digitally mapped your room it's not the last word, it will be ears in my estimation. If you need help, talk to several somebodies who have done rooms. You can learn from their mistakes. I'd pause before I spend a fortune on room treatment. Some of this may be in positioning of equipment and sweet spot. 
This is just the beginning....
and good luck!

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