Hardwood floors Sound treatments

Steve:

You don't realize the gift that you have been given here.

I have a 3 cats and live in a 2 bedroom coop in NYC. I have 3 systems and I get very good sound out of all 3 of them, I just do not get too hung up with things like sound staging and so on. I focus on getting the best sound that I can in my set-up.

Adding window treatments and area rugs will deaden things a bit. Also, placing your speakers out of harms way will work in your favor, as well. Placing speakers on shelves or inside of bookcases is not as world ending as others would lead to you believe, if done with a little common sense.

Be willing to experiment a bit.

What equipment, room size, etc., are we talking about?

Regards,

Rich

Start with a nice thick area rug (go shopping with your wife tomorrow!). The next move I would make is putting some upholstered furniture in the room. THird step (before sound treatment "products") would be to add some wall hangings to absorb HF sound at first reflection points. Then if you can put some diffusion behind you (bookshelves w/books work) you should be on your way.

Chris

Problem:
Please see link below

http://sandiego.lyonhomes.com/homes/model_popup.php/Treviso-Plan_1_-_Firenze.html?c=177&m=667&fpl=1225&level=1

Here is the deal...the room is basically 12 x 17 feet. The problem is the living room is connected to a long hallway and to the kitchen with no walls in between and is all done in hardwood floors..echo..echo..echo :(

The equipment is
Sonus Faber Concertos (On Sand Filled Stands)
Vandersteen Sub
B and K PTIII Series Two Preamp
B and K 2220 Amp
VPI Scout/Sig Arm with Cloud 9 Isolation
Tube Box II with Mullard NOS

Argh!

Put down some area rugs and use rug padding to keep the rugs from slipping. Put up some drapes. Put up some pictures. Buy some chairs and couches. Put the stereo up against the long wall, as opposed to the short wall. It will warm up the apartment and kill any echo. I did the same in my apartment.

When you walk into my apartment there is a 4 X 7 foyer that leads into a 13 X 15 dining room that leads into a 15 X 23 living room. No walls in-between and hardwood floors throughout. The only way to tune the room is by furnishing it, otherwise it would turn into a great big echo filled room.

Nice furnishings will look a lot nicer than sound traps, etc. From a decorator's point of view though, the room is never going to have that sleek Scandinavian look.

What are your wife's tastes like?

Regards, Rich

You might try some of the products found on the following site. They offer traps with artwork or pictures that you personally provide to them: (http://www.asc-hifi.com/picture-panel.htm). The sound panels that mount along the top of the walls could actually enhance the room decor as well. happy listening!