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Room Layout and Acoustic Improvements on a Limited Budget

I'm interested in the opinion of those with more experience in these matters ... 

My home office, where I do all my listening, is a 10' x 14' room with a cathedral ceil that is 8' high on one 10' wall and 12' high on the other 10' wall. I currently listen at my desk on at 8' high ceiling end of the room, with the speakers on my desk, so a near-field scenario. 

There is very little acoustic damping in the room, and I can hear a mid-range reverberance to voices and abrupt noises. Since I have 3 kids in college, my means are extremely limited, so I am looking at the best bang-for-the-buck suggestions to improve the acoustics. Collective feedback and new suggestions are appreciated ...

My thoughts are:

1) Move my desk to a "long" wall so the ceiling isn't acting like a megaphone

2) Floor is hardwood, so add an area rug. Would padding underneath the rug make any difference?

3) I have large whiteboards on the walls - would it make any acoustic difference to add padding behind these?

4) The 12' tall wall is completely bare. Exposed acoustic panels are not going to fly with the wife, but I am thinking of hiding some treatment behind a hanging tapestry. A heavy tapestry would cost more than my whole audio system ($1000, all pre-owned items), so I am thinking a light façade over some 1/4" foam underlayment that I have left from taking up old laminate floor. Thoughts on that?

The rest is information on my system and myself

5) My system is a laptop computer and NAD C546BEE CD player, feeding a Chord Mojo DAC, and on to a NAD C 352 integrated amp. Speakers are an up-coming birthday present and will be either Tannoy Revolution XT mini's or Totem Dreamcatchers Cables are SKG from DAC to amp and GearIt 10AWG for speakers. I briefly considered a MiniDSP 2x4 HD to address the resonant room response, but decided its analogue to DAC process would be far below the Mojo's performance.

6) I'm an engineer, with familiarity with data processing and dynamic systems so would prefer to "engineer" my way out of the problems, rather than throw money at it :-)

7) I listen to blues, alt rock, acoustic rock and some classical. I value realism in vocals, pianos and guitars and dislike harsh, sibilant and fatiguing character. A relaxed sound is preferable over frenetic.

Thanks for reading a long question, and thanks for any responses.

ingenear
kota1
2,706 posts
 

You have two roadblocks, your budget and your wife. I recommend one device, Black Ice Audio Soundstage Expander:

 

nevada_matt
155 posts
 

You can make good performing acoustic panels for $25-30 for each 2’x4’ panel.

Make them look however you want.

ingenear OP
6 posts
 

Nevada_matt, do you have any links or suggestions for the acoustic panels?

whart's avatar
whart
3,037 posts
 

You need to control reflective surfaces. I wouldn’t start writing checks for treatment until you have dealt with the fundamentals of your room, what position the speakers should be in given the equipment and room, where you are creating problems that you can solve by removing things or using common furnishings like rugs, sofas, chairs, window treatment and other things before you get down to acoustic treatments. Jim Smith, known for his personal visits to set up systems for a fee, has a book. I’d read it. Cost you far less than the acoustic panels. And give you big picture. I use bass traps, diffusers and some higher frequency absorption, but none of that is a panacea until you address the problems of the room and set up.

There’s a ton of information about measuring rooms electronically. That can give you information if you know how to read it-- but it is not the entire answer either in my view. (A system that is absolutely linear in a room may still not sound like live music).

This stuff isn’t easy and does not depend on one view. Perhaps you need some help. Jim’s book is a starting point that will get you thinking.

Good luck,

designsfx
793 posts
 

@ingenear 

While listening in your home office are you always seated at the desk or is there other seating in the room for just relaxing?

It’s probable that you’re hearing the reflections from the wall surface behind you (as well as others depending on speaker placement) because your seated at the desk. Not sure moving to the long wall is the answer.

A dense area rug is always a plus- the padding won’t make a noticeable change in sound but will when it comes to the finish of your floors. Use wool padding, not the expanded rubber type.

There are companies that make absorption/diffusion panels in colors of your choice and many will do prints if you prefer. 

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