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Dedicated Audio Room Lighting Ideas?

Before closing up the walls in my new dedicated audio room, I need to settle on the room lighting approach so I can put in the wiring and boxes. The lighting needs to be both bright enough for working in the room and adjustable to suit the moods of 2 channel listening.

The only constraint is I don't want to use can lights since the ceiling is a key part of isolating the sound from the room above and they provide a conduit for the sound. Track lights might work but they would need to be very unobtrusive as the ceiling is 7 1/2 ft. Sconces are a possibility.

Any suggestions? I have looked at many rooms on this site and most pictures show the rooms well, but not the lighting.
128x128zargon
zapper
68 posts
 
You can do indirect cove type lighting that can be put on a dimmer (don't run the dimmer from the same sub panel as your audio) and comes in custom colors, lengths, etc. It can be as easy as nailing a 2x4 to your wall at whatever height you like the lighting above the floor, and a 2x6, same height at the bottom, that will form the cove, then just texture-paint to match.
Install an outlet box in the cove area for the lighting connection and run to a switch, maybe one the has the remote control features like the Lutrons do.
Done.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I was able to use track lighting since my ceiling is 9 feet. The walls were already finished. If I had it to do over I would put wall sconces every 6 feet or so, on dimmers if they were silent, and then floor standing or table lamps for task lighting. Good luck
chadnliz's avatar
chadnliz
3,737 posts
 
2 things to consider, old fashion light bulbs will add alot of heat to a room, doesnt sound like a big deal but it can make the room uncomfortable if you have no good ventilation or ability to control the room's temp individually.
Also dimmers make for hum problems, maybe you could do a couple of light options with seperate switches for a brighter light when desired and a lower, warmer lighting for casual glow when you listen......just a thought.
zargon's avatar
zargon OP
453 posts
 
Zapper: I like the idea of the cove lighting and am trying to picture it. Does the 2x4 go face on the wall with the 2x6 face to it and even at the bottom? That would leave a 2x2 hidden cove? What kind of lighting would fit into that small space? PS, I really like the dark green walls on your room in contrast with the hardwood floors and white trim. Great job!

Tgrisham: Yes, I too think the sconces would be effective and would want some that are small as possible. Indirect light on a white ceiling should be very relaxing.

Chadnliz: Good point about the heat (I hadn't considered that) and dimmer noise.

Anyone have any experience with quiet dimmers?
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ncarv
983 posts
 
Consider a Lutron controller:

http://www.lutron.com/

Many different settings, different lighting patterns, variable dimming, and remote control.
I love my Lutron . . . I can control the light intensity from my listening position, as well as which lights are on.
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