polkalover, speaking of bracing for a shock, a college age young lady in our church competed in platform diving. Her father related that they are only allowed so many dives according to a recovery schedule; each time they hit the water it can be the equivalent of the impact of a minor car accident!
Consider from Wikipedia: Diving is considered a collision sport because of the impact with the water on entry. A diver entering the water from the 10-meter platform is traveling almost 40 miles per hour. These forces are enough to break bones and dislocate joints.
I prefer that the shock to my body be by sound waves versus water. :)
My room is similar, with concrete slab, thick pad and thick carpeting, and with dedicated runs for the audio system as well. This past year I upgraded the electrical service to 200A and with it whole house surge protection.
Prior to moving the system to the basement, I had it in the living room of this same house. I much prefer the new location for two primary reasons; I overbuilt the room to have extremely good noise diminishment, and it allows me to hear into the system, as in a recording studio. One does not get the sense of the room intruding or imposing its signature upon the system. I much prefer that effect. :)
