Hi everyone. I just wanted to post a quick question about room dimensions. I am currently in the early planning stages for a dedicated theater. What would be the ideal length for a room that is 16' wide with 8' ceilings? I can go as long as 25'. I am planning for 2 rows of seating with the second row on a riser. Also, based on the above measurements, any suggestions on screen size for 16 x 9 AT screen?

Thanks!

I can go as long as 25'.

There's your answer. :D

--Ethan

As Ethan mentioned, go as long as you can but avoid even multiples of your other dimensions, i.e, try to avoid 24.

Your screen size will likely be limited by your speaker placement and most likely, your height. Personally, I find a 96" wide (110" dia) screen to be large enough for most rooms. This screen would be 54" high plus the width of the frame... you need to figure out your sight lines and riser height, projector mounting, etc to see if that would work for you.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. I have about 30' total, but I plan on using at least 5' and possibly more like 8' of the length for a lobby/control room type area. I would house my fronts behind an AT screen and 110" was actually around what I was figuring.

Thanks again for the quick responses.

As Ethan mentioned, go as long as you can but avoid even multiples of your other dimensions, i.e, try to avoid 24.


For avoiding multiples of my other dimensions, do I count the space behind a false wall where my fronts will reside? For example, my room is 24' x 16' x 8' with a 2' false wall. Is that ok since it's now essentially 22' instead of 24' or is that still considered 24' for sound purposes??

Thanks.

I have about 30' total, but I plan on using at least 5' and possibly more like 8' of the length for a lobby/control room type area.

More on dimensions here:

RealTraps Mode Calculator (http://www.realtraps.com/modecalc.htm)

--Ethan

Thanks Ethan. That's a great link and will definitely help me in my room planning.

For avoiding multiples of my other dimensions, do I count the space behind a false wall where my fronts will reside? For example, my room is 24' x 16' x 8' with a 2' false wall. Is that ok since it's now essentially 22' instead of 24' or is that still considered 24' for sound purposes??

Thanks.

A false wall doesn't count as a boundary. Those dimensions will have some very bad room modes.

A false wall doesn't count as a boundary. Those dimensions will have some very bad room modes.

Thanks Jesse. I appreciate you answering my question...I am thinking about either 21 feet or 25 feet for the length. I'll just have to make sure that I adequately treat the room with acoustical treatments.

Also, where does everyone get their linacoustic? What's the rule of thumb in using linacoustic vs. cotton batting? I have read some threads that suggest linacoustic on the bottom half and cotton batting on the upper half of the walls.

Your dimensions are what they are. Granted as multiples you will have the potential of height, width, length modes reinforcing each other. On the other hand, changing a dimension by a foot isn't likely to make a big difference either. On the positive side, however, by careful positioning of multiple subs, reducing the effect of one mode will reduce the effect of several.

At the end of the day, you're going to have modal response in your room regardless of the dimensions. The methods available to reduce modal response in the seating locations (trapping, positioning, multiple subs, and PEQ) will be the same dimension multiples or not.

Thanks for the info Dennis. I have to say that I am honored to have my question addressed by you as your reputation is well known throughout the forums.

I really appreciate all the help everyone on the forum has been. I have been a lurker for a while and have enjoyed the build threads of many (Gonzo, Judsonp, Indygreg, etc...). I do look forward to doing my own build thread within the next year or so.

Thanks again everyone!