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Room Ceiling Height for 2 channel listening - is taller always better?

I am planning a custom 2 channel listening room. Current dimensions are 17’W x 23’L x 16’H with a symmetrically sloping ceiling. No windows. The room will be accommodating Paradigm Persona 9H speakers, but I’d like it to be flexible enough to be well suited for most other options (i.e. big horn speakers, tall Wilsons, etc)

Is 16 feet too tall? Is that violating a "golden rule" room ratio (I already know it is, but is that a big problem)? Bigger is generally better, but is a taller ceiling always better? Is this too much volume for a 2 channel listening room, even with large loudspeakers? I do plan on adding acoustic treatment throughout the room to handle reverb & reflections.

Other thoughts: I am planning on 2x6 studs and standard insulation+luan+5/8" drywall. I know that 3/4" plywood is considered better sounding at only 8x the cost of drywall. I know some would advocate for 2x8 or 2x10 or 2x12 studs, but that pretty much requires using expensive insulation (at least spray foam) or some fancy carbon diaphragmatic helmholtz solution that might cost as much or more as this room :) I know that structural rigidity is important to reduce resonances. I’m also not a billionaire and am trying to balance practicality with performance.

Flooring details: planning on sound deadening underlayment, carpet, and a throw rug on top. Should I do hardwood with a throw rug on top? If I do carpet, what acoustical carpet underlayment is recommended?

exsedol88

Showing 3 responses by dodgealum

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,409 posts
 

I am interested in the feedback you get here as I’m in the very early stages of designing a new listening space. In particular, my room will also feature a vaulted ceiling so am trying to figure out how to do this in a way that doesn’t create problems. If the room I am designing is 18 wide by 23 long what would the optimal maximum height of the ceiling be? I can stop the upward slope at a variety of points  and come straight across with a flat section—what height would be optimum given the width and length specified? BTW the speakers will be on the short wall positioned about 4-5 feet into the room. I want the room to work with both dynamic and dipole electro stats. Any feedback is welcome that will hopefully apply equally to the OP. 
 

OP: To your assumption that bigger is generally better I had a friend with lots of experience say this “big room, big problems” to which my experience would largely agree. I’m trying to go as big as I can without losing intimacy in the space or the ability to drop some nice Sound Labs in that will have plenty of room to breath!

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,409 posts
 

Some interesting thoughts and approaches but I’m not sure folks are trying to solve or prevent the same problem. Not sure about the OP but I don’t care a bit about reducing the ability of the sound from bothering neighbors or my own family—I don’t want a soundproof listening chamber. What I do want is a room that will allow my system to perform optimally with minimal to no use of additional treatments. If those with experience can chime in with thoughts on room dimensions with vaulted ceilings and construction tips and materials I should consider employing that would be great.

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,409 posts
 

Looking at the sheet cost of Quiet Rock 545 and wondering if it might make sense to use it where first sidewall reflections would occur and maybe in a checkerboard pattern on the sloped portion of the vaulted ceiling. Any thoughts on a mix and match approach? Also, final dimensions of the room are shaping up to be 27’ 6” x 17’ 3”. The ceiling height is as yet unknown.
 

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