Room acoustics - yet again

This is a timely discussion as I'm about to move from a rectangular room to an irregular shaped one with a cathedral ceiling. The new space is easily twice the volume of the existing room. I also have a copy of CARA on order. My feeling is nothing will take the place of experimentation in determining the optimal system layout, but with the complex acoustic challenge of the new space some kind of help is necessary.

The reason I chose CARA was simple. While there are several products available that do rectangular rooms, CARA was the only one in my price range that does odd shapes. Once the dust settles I'll report back as to whether it was worth the $50.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Subaruguru. My speakers are sealed cabinets and do well in a near-field setup. The software referenced above was only $50. For that much it won't have to do much to provide a decent ROI. Unlike you I have no WAF to consider, so can setup where ever sounds best (which is the current plan!).

Interestingly, after doing the usual over analysis of the situation my conclusion is similar to yours. While this new room is 'irregularly' shaped, that does not mean it isn't somewhat 'symmetrical'. My hunch is it's characteristics largely balance out. For example, the 'L'-shaped living room area is open on both ends. The kitchen is on one end, the hallway to the bedrooms on the other. There is also a small office area that adjoins the bedroom end of the space that has double doors that can be opened or closed depending on which works better.

In fact, 'space' was a key consideration in picking this place (it took 3 months of searching to find it). Now, for the first time, there will be adequate space between, behind AND beside the speakers. They'll actually have room to breathe. Can't wait! The only thing left is to actually do it. Everything else is just part of the challenge.