2. misc-audio
  3. 159835-150792

Basement listing room


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!


skimantra2001

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,228 posts
 
Space B is a nice size for most tower speaker. You should build a solid wall right on the dotted line. Carpet the floor and use sound deadening tile on the ceiling. The speakers will go on the 18 foot wall. 

Use the Parasound to drive the towers. You will need a front end for it. Sounds like all you need is a streamer/DAC which should be able to talk to your upstairs system over your home network. Once you have it set up and furnished you can deal with room acoustics if you are so inclined. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,228 posts
 
Skimantra, Two issues. Your speakers can only be expected to load a given volume effectively. You do not want them getting lost. Space B is as large as I would want to go with most Tower speakers. Next, the development of a first class image requires perfect symmetry between the two channels. If one speaker is near a corner the other one had better be also. I do not care about the exact dimensions as long as they are dissimilar. Once set up you will have to do some sound absorption on the front and side walls. If you ever decide to add subs the front corners will be perfect. This size room is also good for bigger system's if you should ever go that way. A pair of Sound Labs 745's would do perfect here. This is your listening room. Make it the best you can and hang a sign on the door, "For Dads Only." The other space will make a great game room for everyone else. You might want to make that wall a sound wall. You use 2 X 6 Sill and cap then stagger 2 X 4 studs. Each wall gets its own set of studs on 16" centers. Other than the sill and cap there is no solid connection between the walls. This drops sound transfer at least 10 dB. 
More to discover