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Structural beam in middle of listening room

Hello,
Room is 13'X20' with a steel structural beam(covered with wood strips)11' from the short wall behind the speakers, Wilson Sophia 2 with Pass XA30.8 amp.
I am down to twp positions.
Either the speaker woofers 4' from the rear wall behind and 6' apart with the listening chair just in front of the column and 7' from the woofers, or the speakers 6' from the rear wall(per Cardas rec) and the listening chair 2' behind the column so I'm looking at the column. Aesthetics aside, would you expect any adverse sonic effects from the column in front of the listening position?
Thanks,
Joe

jferro
jferro OP
13 posts
 

I spoke with a contractor. It is a structural beam and they symbiosis bees a steel cross beam with two new support beams for over $30k .

jferro OP
13 posts
 

Suggested, not symbiosis bees

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,453 posts
 

One column near the middle of the room is right near your chair and causing you problems.  It would be easy, and stronger, to replace the 1 column in the middle with 2 columns each at approximately 1/3 of the span   So you would have a column between your speakers but not near your face and one well behind you.  I would think this would be better.

Of course the more expensive solution is the have a civil engineer design a beam that does not need a column.

Jerry

Ag insider logo xs@2x
o_holter
969 posts
 

@carlsbad2 

Interesting suggestion. In my room I could maybe do away with the single column (too close to my listening position) by an expensive beam that does not need a column - but also, with a circa three thirds arrangement, two columns. Easier and less expensive to install. However the need for a new column makes me hesitate.

markpao
519 posts
 

Use caution with the 2 column instead of 1 idea. Often the (horizontal) wood girder beam is jointed over the (vertical) support column, meaning the column must be where it is. 

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