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Help Needed Designing an "Amphitheater-Like" House

Hi Folks! It's been a while since I've been around... I obtained a modestly priced system a few years ago, and of course the dreaming and wondering continues. Anyway, I'm trying to design an amphitheater-like house (as if I would ever be able to afford it!) which employs angled walls and a special sloping, barreled ceiling. The design is an attempt to transform the Great Room (which encompasses the living room, dining room and kitchen) into a form not unlike the insides of a musical instrument. The idea is founded on eliminating hard 90 degree corners and such, BUT DOES reflect sound waves from back walls toward the listening area. Also, there is a balcony that I would hope would enjoy good sound from as well.
So, if sound waves are being reflected AT ALL, back toward the listening area; IS THIS A FLAWED DESIGN!? Does the use of room treatments strive to deaden such reflections from behind making this design unfeasible? Is the notion that the room being shaped sort of like a Russian Balalaika (a stringed instrument) a silly, unproductive use of my time? If anyone knows about such stuff, please respond. Thanks in advance. Your Friend, Mr. Stain
mr_stain
mr_stain OP
10 posts
 
New info:
I took the trouble to see if others had similar questions, and behold; they did.....
So it seems there is a rift between rectangular shaped listening room fans; and fans of rooms that have no parallel walls. I now ask if the front wall (where speakers are) and the rear wall (behind the seating device) can be parallel? I should mention that the sloping, barreled ceiling doesn't reach the rear wall before being segmented by the other half of the roof/ceiling which simply slopes flatly down again to the edge of the rear wall. It is difficult to explain this with words, but perhaps Rives, if you're out there, or someone else who can picture this can provide insight, please do. Thanks again
6550c
393 posts
 
I thought amphitheaters were outside with no walls or roofs?
The idea was to make sounds audible to all listeners without the aid of amplification.
Maybe what you really want is an arena rock venue? lolol
mr_stain OP
10 posts
 
Indeed, I chose the wrong word to describe the structure. 6550c, you are brilliant for discovering my mistake! I REALLY meant to describe a "music hall" type of structure, but before I had the chance to correct myself, YOU did it for me! Thanks! Hey, you even managed to infer that I listen to arena rock, which I presume would mean that I lack true audiophile taste. Perhaps you listen to "Aja" and "Dark Side" a lot, or better than that, "Classical" (groan) music! I wish I was like you!
It's o.k., I found out about a book that goes into room acoustics; and I will be using that for information. It's a shame, because I could endure a bunch more abuse if I just hung around here!
mr_stain OP
10 posts
 
Oh, hang on! In my counter-slight list of music I suggested 6550c listens to, I mentioned "Dark Side". This could create a situation where someone could deconstruct my irony and point out that Floyd could be considered arena rock. So I will restate:
Perhaps you listen to "Aja", watered-down "Jazz" featuring expert, annoying female vocalists on recordings with superlative production value, or better still, "Classical" (groan) music!
Alright, I'm sure there's other stuff I'm messing up, so have at it.
6550c
393 posts
 
What ever you say, Mr_stain. Remember, in the end, it is all in the brain. Some of got one, some of us didn't. The brain is the ultimate transducer, so don't forget to work on that a bit too. okay? lolololol!!
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