Room Treatments and WAF? Long


Living area with H/T and 2 channel combined. This is our main room for everything. It is 22'6" W by 16'9" with the h/t on the long wall. Wall to the right is only 3'6" tall and joins to the kitchen. Left wall is the fireplace(never used). Rear wall is a big problem. Two large windows (roughly 3'w x 5't) with a french door between them. Cathedral ceiling, carpetted floors with a large sectional couch positioned 12'from the front wall.

I know that the room needs treatment. Particularly the first reflection points but wondering if I can treat just the left wall since the right is so short and open to another room.

The biggest problem I think is the rear. All that glass! Significant other does not want curtains but could probably be persuaded if I could come up with something that would allow her to have the open look when she wants it. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Steve
scoly1

Showing 2 responses by rives

There are a variety of options from absorption films that are stretched in front of the window surface (RPG now makes and markets these), to fabric covered vertical blinds which I personally like because then I can close, open, or angle for partial opening.

Acoustics can look like just about anything. Take a look at our examples. WAF does not need to be an issue whether it's traditional or modern design.

As to some of the comments about first reflection points, Floyd Toole of Harmon International recently wrote a very controversal paper on loudspeaker interaction and not treating the room (at least not in the conventional sense). While I don't agree on many of his points, it is written by someone very well versed in the field. He does point out and caution regarding overdamping a room, which is something I subscribe to. All too often too much "stuff" is added tot he room and can actually take away from good sound.
Dave:

You are right that you can get--well I don't know about 90%, but certainly way above 50% with a lot of reading and DIY methods. We have a whole section of our website devoted to acoustical resources. Most are free, some very reasonable, like certain books we recommend.
I'm interested in the DVD. It sounds like it might be another great resource which we would also want to add to our site.