Advice on building a dedicated listening room.

I began with excellent equipment and then realized that I'd never get the room as right as a pro. I kept working on better design and finally threw in the towel and hired Reeves Audio. Give some serious thought to professional help. While there is abundant experienced advice, to date I have only heard one room that I consider superb and that room is not to my taste.

There is no way to know what your economic and design commitments are, if you are at the out of control end of the equation, write me an we can talk about our experiences.

Best wishes,

Bill E.

lakefrontroad@earthlink.net

All good comments above. The one point I'd add is to think about building the room with ASC "Wall-Damp IsoWall" panels, or something comparable. See the following link to ASC's web site for more info about "Wall-Damp IsoWall":
http://www.asc-hifi.com/products/isowall.htm

Having the correct dimensions for your listening room, with proper speaker placement, etc., is certainly vital, but if you are going to build a dedicated room, do it right and be sure your walls are acoustically dampened.

I'll second and third the following statements:

15' x 30' is NOT a good way to start things off. How you fill in the space and / or section off part of it

You should at least pick up one of F. Alton Everest's books and / or consult an Engineer familiar with room acoustics. I think that Rives gives free initial consultation and can quote you from there.

I would also have everything planned out in terms of knowing EXACTLY what i wanted to do / achieve BEFORE starting any type of construction. Taking on such a project is very time consuming / expensive. Having to re-do things that were initially overlooked is both expensive and frustrating.

Don't overlook the importance of sound damping / absorption material above the ceiling. This will allow you to "crank it up" at times that would otherwise annoy others in the house. This also allows those above the basement to enjoy themselves without annoying you. Kind of a "win / win" situation : ) Sean
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I concur with Bill's statements but for those of us trying to get things done for less check out Rives site it will help you an awful lot www.rivesaudio.com you will learn more in the half hour then you had learnt in your whole life. Of course if you can afford to have them come in and designe your room go for it! Cheers ~Tim

I finished a dedicated listening room in my last house,
which had poured concrete floors and walls. I recommend
framing all walls with 2X4" studs, and using "fire code"
(5/8" thick) sheetrock backed by fiberglass batts between
the studs. I'd also recommend studs on the floor ("sleepers")
secured to the concrete with a power nailer,
and 3/4" plywood screwed to the sleepers forming the floor.
I'd paint Dry-Lock on the concrete walls, and cover the
walls and floor with vinyl sheeting, taped at the joints
to keep the humidity down. I also installed multiple
outlets on three separate 20 amp circuits for the
equipment. Doors should be solid core to prevent
resonant vibrations.

Good listening........... !