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Dedicated Music Room Recessed Lighting (High Hats)?

The music room is down to studs.  Rewired the entire room and in the process added 7 high hats.  They were to be used to make the room very bright for cleaning, playing with wires etc.  I also have four sconces that will get the old style low wattage Edison bulbs for lighting during listening (as well as a lamp or two).  It did not occur to me that although the "cans" won't be used during music the "cans" may buzz. I've been told this by three audiophiles and a home theater guy.  Two emphatically tell me to "rip them out while you can".  Others have told me just go get the automotive sound deadening sheets (cut and stick on the cans). The room has been insulated with Roxul SAFB (Sound Absorbing Fire Barrier) in batt form 6" in the walls 9" in the ceiling. Does anyone have any experience with cans rattling or buzzing?
Should I rip them out?  Yes I do listen to music very loud at times. Thanks.
Regards, barts  
128x128barts
jmbumgarner01
64 posts
 
I can’t address the concerns around electrical interference from lighting but I can tell you I just installed some phillips hue bulbs in all my music room lights, cans, sconces and one lamp and they are amazing....like 2 million colors all dim-able and controlled by an app while you are listening....i hear no interference or buzzing with lamps on vs off but they are also on different circuits.
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,238 posts
 
IMO, recessed lighting is not ideal for either resonance or soundproofing. I used rack lighting instead with two 6 foot rods holding 6 lights each, rotating up and down and a full 360. I can direct light exactly where I want to anywhere in the room. 300 watts per rod. You can see one on the last picture of my house of stereo system. If you really want recessed lighting I would suggest a heavy dose of soundproofing/ fire retardant putty as I installed behind all my outlets as also pictured in my system. That would improve soundproofing and also lessen any vibration the recessed unit may have. Enjoy the journey.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Bkeske is sooo right!
Plus, no heat.  Make sure you buy dimmable ones.
audioquest4life
727 posts
 
@baylinor, 

I agree with your opinion. My next and final room will not have recessed lighting. I plan on using low profile track lighting to reduce perforations in the ceiling. I spent a lot of dinero in current customized room (33x19) to realize that all of that Quietrock Sheetrock, Roxul safe and sound insulation, resilient channel, and spray foam did excellent in sound abatement, but, it could be better without the cutouts for recessed lighting. Next time. 
I also used the puddy on the outlets too. 
jimofmaine's avatar
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jimofmaine
40 posts
 
...you can always fix a rattle. 

I'd spend time listening to the room with the insulation exposed with many tracks, taking notes. Then after your sheetrock goes up think back to the dampened room. Use your notes and analyze what's going on. Speakers AND room/wall interactions create the music. Seldom does one get a real chance to experiment like this.  
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