Is my room 11 x 14, or 11 x 20?


Here's the story: My listening room, measured from wall to wall, is 11 x 20. However, the wall on which I've got the speakers, which is the only possible placement, runs some 14 feet from one of the side walls and then opens up into another room. This six-foot opening does not close, doesn't have a door, etc. Consequently, the portion of the room I'm actually using is roughly 11 x 14, though there is no wall on one side for another six feet or so. My chair, of course, is positioned accordingly. (Hope that makes sense.)
When I'm reading about speakers that are supposed to be good in rooms of one size but not another, should I think of the room as being 11 x 14, or 11 x 20?
Thanks.
-- Howard
hodu

Showing 1 response by ghosthouse

Hodu - I think 11x14 is more relevant to your situation than the 11x20.

I'm in a ~13 x 15 foot alcove myself. Facing the speakers that are positioned 7-8 ft apart along the long wall (not ideal)the right (13') side wall of the rectangle is missing. The alcove opens into a much larger space on that side (probably 3x the area). There's a pocket door in the left wall that I keep open while listening + left speaker placement is a good few feet from the wall and corner (also have some DIY room treatment in the corner).

I consider my listening area, which seems like it might be even more "open" than yours, to be 13x15...and don't worry about the larger space outside it. Tom6897's point is a good one. I sit 7-8 feet or so from the speakers that are out (front plane) ~3' from the wall. I like to listen at volumes in the range of 78-85 db. No problem doing so in this setting. Hope this helps a little.