Room Ceiling Height for 2 channel listening - is taller always better?


I am planning a custom 2 channel listening room. Current dimensions are 17’W x 23’L x 16’H with a symmetrically sloping ceiling. No windows. The room will be accommodating Paradigm Persona 9H speakers, but I’d like it to be flexible enough to be well suited for most other options (i.e. big horn speakers, tall Wilsons, etc)

Is 16 feet too tall? Is that violating a "golden rule" room ratio (I already know it is, but is that a big problem)? Bigger is generally better, but is a taller ceiling always better? Is this too much volume for a 2 channel listening room, even with large loudspeakers? I do plan on adding acoustic treatment throughout the room to handle reverb & reflections.

Other thoughts: I am planning on 2x6 studs and standard insulation+luan+5/8" drywall. I know that 3/4" plywood is considered better sounding at only 8x the cost of drywall. I know some would advocate for 2x8 or 2x10 or 2x12 studs, but that pretty much requires using expensive insulation (at least spray foam) or some fancy carbon diaphragmatic helmholtz solution that might cost as much or more as this room :) I know that structural rigidity is important to reduce resonances. I’m also not a billionaire and am trying to balance practicality with performance.

Flooring details: planning on sound deadening underlayment, carpet, and a throw rug on top. Should I do hardwood with a throw rug on top? If I do carpet, what acoustical carpet underlayment is recommended?

exsedol88

@terry9 

Thanks for the tips! I used liquid nails every where so far. The only nails used were on the ends of boards because I never thought the ends took a screw very well. I’m doing the work myself nights and weekends. Been about two months now! I’m sticking to the design as close as I can. Thanks for the lighting tip too! I have dimmer switches as well. I’ve read they can be a problem so I’m crossing my fingers on that.  I’m looking forward to the result. 
 

Regards 

No, taller is not always better. In a well treated room it makes no difference tall or not.

Looking at the sheet cost of Quiet Rock 545 and wondering if it might make sense to use it where first sidewall reflections would occur and maybe in a checkerboard pattern on the sloped portion of the vaulted ceiling. Any thoughts on a mix and match approach? Also, final dimensions of the room are shaping up to be 27’ 6” x 17’ 3”. The ceiling height is as yet unknown.
 

I have a room that is 10' X11'..saving grace is that it has a vault ceiling to 13'. With room acoustic treatments, it is quite good. 

@dodgealum 

I took advice from the marketing dept of Queietrock - and found myself talking to a senior executive with technical knowledge. Be sure to tell them what you want - sound quality inside the room, or quiet outside.

Also, how intrusive could the outside be? You don't want to be listening to Waltz for Debbie and Dishwasher.

If you're looking for a cost-effective alternative, consider 2 inches of clean dry sand. In the walls, weighing down the ceiling. Engineers call that pre-loading. I did that in the home theatre, and it's even more effective that Quietrock. But I couldn't make that work in the new room, so went with Q 545 instead, and was not disappointed.