Building a house


In the design phase and planning on a dedicated listening room. Any advice on its construction, lessons learned?
neuroop

@dodgealum  Just saw your post. Hope this is not too late.

I did an old world solution for my home theatre: sand. I put mixed fine and coarse sand into the spaces between joists, about 2".

That is: at the framing stage, double or triple all joists - I used LVL, screwed and glued. Screw and glue (elastomeric M1 works well) a layer of plywood to the bottom of the joists. Fill the cavities with 2-4" of mixed sand. Get an engineer to sanction this.

What you have is a preloaded floor, immune from squeaking and fairly soundproof. I guess you could add rock wool insulation above the sand for the last added iota of sound proofing.

Worked for me. YMMV.

I stumbled upon this thread and thought I'd share my thoughts. I love the idea of a dedicated listening room, and your plan for the walls sounds great. For the floor, have you consider adding an additional layer of plywood with Green Glue sandwiched between them? That should help with any potential shudder.
On a side note, I'm also looking to upgrade my bonus room, and I'm thinking of adding some French doors for more natural light. I discovered doorsdirect2u.co.uk and was wondering if anyone has used them before and what their experience was like. Any feedback would be appreciated!

I understand that Green Glue is not a glue - it is a sealant or filler. I prefer something that contributes both actively and passively, like M1. Being a strong adhesive, M1 bonds the two layers together, adding their strength. This benefits the occupant of the sound room by rigidifying the walls.

Being elastomeric, M1 also dampens. This benefits those on the other side of the walls who aren't forced to listen - but not as much as Green Glue, I suspect.

Being selfish, I went with M1 and am well satisfied.

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When constructing a dedicated listening room, there are several key factors to consider. Here are some valuable pieces of advice to keep in mind based on lessons learned:

  1. Room Acoustics: Pay careful attention to room acoustics as they greatly impact sound quality. Consider the dimensions, shape, and materials used in the room. Incorporate acoustic treatments such as sound-absorbing panels, diffusers, and bass traps to control reflections and optimize sound.

  2. Sound Isolation: Focus on sound isolation to minimize external noise and disturbances. Use specialized construction techniques like double walls, decoupled ceilings, and resilient flooring to prevent sound leakage. Proper insulation and sealing are crucial to create a quiet and immersive listening environment.

  3. HVAC and Electrical: Plan HVAC systems to maintain stable temperature and humidity levels for optimum sound performance. Ensure electrical wiring is properly installed with dedicated circuits to avoid noise interference and accommodate audio equipment needs.

  4. Room Layout and Speaker Placement: Design the room layout with careful consideration of speaker placement. Consult with experts or utilize acoustic modeling software to determine optimal speaker positioning, listener seating, and room dimensions for the best soundstage and imaging.

  5. Room Treatments: Incorporate additional room treatments like diffusers, bass traps, and acoustic panels strategically placed to enhance sound quality and reduce resonances. Experiment with different placements to find the most favorable acoustic response.

  6. Cable Management: Plan for proper cable management to avoid signal degradation and maintain a clean aesthetic. Use high-quality cables and keep them organized and well-routed to minimize interference and ensure optimal signal transfer.

  7. Flexibility: Allow for flexibility in the room design to accommodate future upgrades or changes in audio equipment. Consider adjustable furniture, modular acoustic treatments, and wiring infrastructure that can adapt to evolving needs.

  8. Fine-Tuning: After construction, fine-tune the room through careful listening tests, acoustic measurements, and adjustments to achieve the desired sound balance and sonic accuracy. Consider professional help or calibration tools for precise audio calibration.

Remember, each listening room is unique, and personal preferences may vary. It’s beneficial to consult with acoustics experts, audio engineers, or dedicated listening room designers who can provide tailored advice based on your specific goals and requirements geometry dash