Measure my room

[mikee55]

Hello all, I have an IB in my ceiling and would like to have a go at doing something with my room acoustics. I'm using floor standers as my mains, which I hope to replace when the CreditCrunch, eases off.

When one gets the urge to do a bit of diyAudio, one has no pennies, one needs to get a fix any way one can.

Because my system, is also Home Theatre( 2 channels only) as in my TV sits between my speakers, is situated in the corner of my lounge, (WAF), my speakers are diagonal on that corner. I have a sofa opposite and one on a side wall, with a open fire opposite that, and various other objects around the room.

With her indoors gone to work, I can play. Is there some measurements ie ratios I can use to posistion my main loudspeakers?

With a tape measure, can one guesstimate problem frequencies? I'd like to get a visual idea on whats happening inside my room. I'd expect to have to factor in windows doors and walls, as well as rug, radiator hi fi stand, PC stand and chair. When my mains used to fire down the side walls with the tv in the middle, my system sounded nice. But because I have a radiator there, which I cant block with a TV, I have to use the corner option. Soundstage is suffering bad, what can I do?

Mike

[HK26147]

Have you already done a preliminary evaluation with something like:
http://www.bobgolds.com/Mode/RoomModes.htm
This could help identify the potential modes and problems freqs

[DigitalJunkie]

I'm no pro,But..

I would think that the first thing to do is to measure the room.
Find out the dimensions,and see what how they translate into wavelengths. Then you can see what the problem frequencies might be,and know what to expect,as far as standing waves go.
(For instance,in this room,there is a peak around 70hz,due to the width of the room.)

Then you can maybe try some room treatments,and other 'simpler' tricks first.


Just a thought.That's probably where I'd start.

[mikee55]

....my sub is none movable and everything else must fit in with this. I wish I could take a 3d picture. Basic things like, toe the speakers in, 2 to 3 meters apart, tweaters at ear height. Okay, my IB woofer fires down my bedroom wall and the rear wave exits into the lounge at a right angle because of the manifold.

Its Sunday again, so I don't mind a gentle answer. I don't need an in depth look at how brick density effects some room node... blah blah.

Mike

[HK26147]

Since there isn't a universal definition of soundstage, how can there be a universal solution...
If I had to make recommendations for a room ( blind and mute )...
I divide the primary dimensions ( L,W,D ), and avoid placement at even divisors.
With a overly lively room, or a room of bad proportions, I work to minimize 1st reflection and bring the speakers closer in, to decouple and raise the ratio of direct sound to reflected sound.

[mikee55]

[mikee55]

[mikee55]

[mikee55]

Ouch
Sorry Moderators, I Zipped em, but they were too big. even one at a time

[HK26147]

The current position is centered around the TV but offset with the boundaries of the room.
IMO: It would be impossible to get acceptable soundstaging if one of the cabs is in essence corner loaded near 3 boundaries and the other is loaded near 2 boundaries.
If at all possible I would slide the pair over to the right and position with a more equal spacing, and experiment from there.
I would recommend experimenting with hanging heavy drapes, quilts or acoustic panels decorated with a SAF in mind to help tame reflections