Room acoustics

Sadly you will find that getting 'better sound' will lead to a divorce. Chasing a WAF will always lead to compromises that will defeat your goal. Most audiophiles quickly realize that only an enclosed, dedicated listening room works, and even then to treat and tweak that room is an art, often taking years. So, accept your fate for now, give good headphones a try and be grateful for a happy wife who rewards you often for your kind consideration of her need to have peace and quite.

The enemy of really good is the pursuit of perfection. If one wants a dedicated sound room and can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with it then go for it. Personally, I don't want to spend years tweaking and building and refining a room to make " the perfect man cave" (not that there's anything wrong with that). But I am confident I can learn how to take an acoustically challenged living room, dramatically improve it's sound management, add some very good...not the best...components, and get some very satisfying and fun listening / viewing pleasure. I also think I can do this without loosing my wife:-)

Okay, plan B. Call Jim Smith of 'Better Sound' and have him come by to do his 'thing'. Most audiophiles do not believe in 'professional help', like Jim. Sadly. Seems few take advantage of Jim's forty years of experience, even those with $100K plus systems. They are the types that do their own brain surgery.

I just got some diffusers from them. I think the GIK products are OK for the money, though if you're willing to pay more you can get more. But my question is, why would you treat echoes with acoustical treatment and not change the decor? Not that acoustical treatment isn't the best option sonically, but it seems to me you can get rid of problems like echo in more wife-friendly ways with wall hangings, carpets, and the like.

If not, well, maybe you can disguise them.

I think calling Jim Smith is an excellent idea, BTW, if it's in your budget. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of time reading acoustics texts and buy measuring equipment, it isn't that easy to treat your own room. And even those of us who have done that don't have the vast experience of someone like Jim.

Thanks 358, what I meant by "not changing the decor" is in reference to wall hanging panels and huge bass traps. However, because of the recommendations on this site I think the GIK is attractive enough to show. And you're right, I can see ways of hiding them now. But I will call J. Smith and see what he says.