So…I have lost the eternal battle over tower speakers in the family room.
However, I know I’m in good company and would like some advice on my Plan B.
Here’s the current family room set-up:
Stereo Listing:
Induction Dynamics ID-1 Tower Speakers
Parasound A21 2-channel amp
Marantz AV Receiver SR6013
Source – mostly Tidal Hi-Res
Additional components for surround sound in same room:
4 Induction dynamic ID-S2 Bookshelf speakers
1 Induction dynamics ID-S2 Center Channel
1 ID-SWC4 Induction Dynamics subwoofer
Induction Dynamics A2 subwoofer amp
My plan is to keep the 5 smaller-profile speakers & sub in the family room for surround sound set up. I’ll shift to using two bookshelf speakers and the sub for music listening in that room.
I can then take the towers downstairs and give them their own home.
Right now, the basement is raw space. Poured concrete floors and walls. Ceiling height of 7’6’ in the main area, and 7’1” in a 2nd section. Rough dimensions 29’ x 41’
I’ve linked to a floorplan with exact dimensions. (I did not clutter the diagram with ductwork, plumbing, support columns, etc, which I know should be considered, but the main mechanicals and noise factors are on the other side of the basement, opposite the stairs, and sufficiently isolated (not shown on diagram)):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3579jgzeiw8j4l8/Basement%20finish-able%20space.pdf?dl=0
I have two main questions for all the way-more-knowledgeable-than-me folks on this forum (I’m an amateur in this audioworld, though a lover of music since forever).
1) Does creating a listening room in the basement make sense given the space as described above? I can take up as much or as little of that space as needed. If it makes sense, what would be:
a. the ideal dimensions
b. the ideal placement of speakers/components given dimensions
c. the ideal materials? (I don’t have a budget per-se, but would like to find the best balance of quality-for-price. To put it another away, I’m not going to skimp where there are real gains to be had, but I don’t want to cross that line of diminishing returns)
2) What is the best why to maximize existing components without duplicating unless necessary? For example, the Marantz has two zones, I assume it’d make sense to use that feature. I can run wire/cables easily between family room and basement – though some of distances could be long depending on how the room ends up configured.) I marked on the diagram where my equipment currently resides on the main floor above.
a. If I were to improve my current stereo system (DAC, pre-amp, etc?), could those be configured to also benefit the upstairs system? Or do I need independent components for each set-up now? What are your recommendations to bring this system to the next level?
I’m sure there will be a lot of opinions on all this, but I appreciate any help/direction I can get! Thanks in advance!
