I recently remodeled my family room which is dedicated to entertainment. The room is 26x13 with 7 foot ceilings. On one wall in front of the existing drywall I placed standard 2x4 wall framing. I rewired with 10 guage copper used 5 different circuts for the hospital grade outlets I installed with the closest circut dedicated to my amp. Next I packed in 7 inches of unfaced fiberglass & over this I screwed in inch thick Tectum 2x4 acoustical tiles. From a distance these look like standard ceiling tiles but they aren't. They are constructed of strands of shredded wood & the surface is painted white.The tiles provide good dampening but it is the fiberglass behind this that really tames the gremlins. I also studded up half the ceiling with 2x6s & placed in 6 inches of fiberglass & again screwed in the Tectum panels. My initial impressions were that the midrange & highs were just what I was trying for. The bass was somehat muted but after moving my main speakers & subwoofer around I was able to dial this in as well.The soundstage is now uncanny in how close it is to the real thing. I went to an acoustic folk concert this weekend & playing the performers latest cd afterwards gave me a great reference. With certain types of well recorded music with good gear in a well desiged room you can get very, very close to real event. Personally I think that the listening room should be considered as important to a good system as your speakers,amp, cables etc.Since I did the work myself it cost me approximately $800 to do. I don't have exact figures because I gutted the adjacent bathroom & hallway & remodeled those at the same time. The project could have been done for less if I did't do the ceiling which depending on your speakers & volume levels may not be needed.
How would you rate your listening room?
I think most people visiting Audiogon are familiar with Stereophile's equipment rating system. So, more or less using that system, how does your main listening room rate as to potential music quality? I've given this some thought, and at 14'W 22'L and 7.5'H, I'd rate my room as "B", mainly because of decent dimensions. With the addition of ASC treatment(s), which I've done, I'd upgrade it to "B+", and if I were to go to good quality monitor speakers (which I won't) with bass to about 40HZ, I could maybe upgrade the room to "A-". My room could never be full class A IMHO because of low ceiling height. I'd like 9 ft. ceilings and a 2-3 more feet of width. Also, as I like good sized near full range speakers (I have Vand. 3Asigs.), I doubt I'd be willing to go to smaller speakers. Have others thought of rating their rooms? Cheers. Craig.