Hey guys,
I'm hoping to get some input in regards to soundproofing and multi-zone speaker placement for my basement. We just hired a contractor to finish our basement and we're just starting the design phase. The basement is already partially finished, but that part will be ripped out and re-done. So, basically the entire basement will be a complete build-out. I'll probably need to have all the design elements decided on by December 1st.
Here's some basic information on what I currently have planned and what I'm looking to achieve:
Sound-Reduction:
Thanks in advance!
I'm hoping to get some input in regards to soundproofing and multi-zone speaker placement for my basement. We just hired a contractor to finish our basement and we're just starting the design phase. The basement is already partially finished, but that part will be ripped out and re-done. So, basically the entire basement will be a complete build-out. I'll probably need to have all the design elements decided on by December 1st.
Here's some basic information on what I currently have planned and what I'm looking to achieve:
- Images attached showing the basement layout as currently designed. One image shows the area dimensions, the other shows the ceiling heights. I-Beams are shown in yellow to denote where to expect lowered frameouts in the ceiling, since this will be relevant for in-ceiling speaker placement.
- The Home Theater section of the basement will have 7.1/Dolby Atmos audio using Zone 1 of my receiver. I'm a big fan of Klipsch, and previously had a 5.1 setup using Reference series speakers. I'm most likely going to go with a current generation of Reference, or possibly Reference Premiere. That's to be decided later.
- The arcade and pool table areas of the basement will have in-ceiling speakers wired to an amp connected to Zone 2 of my receiver. These speakers will be used for music. Currently planning on using Klipsch CDT-5800-C II throughout. I'd like to have 1 volume control per area (2 total - 1 for arcade and 1 for pool). This will allow me to adjust the volume or turn off the sound completely in each area.
- The speaker zones are denoted by color in the attached images. Blue speakers are Zone 1 for the Home Theater room. Red speakers are in-ceiling for Zone 2 music listening.
- The living room is located directly above the Home Theater section, so I'm looking to do some basic soundproofing (or should I say sound-reducing?). I basically want to reduce sound bleeding between the 2 spaces. I'm looking for solutions that make both practical and financial sense. I'm willing to spend money to do it the right way, but I don't see value in doubling or tripling the cost to get an extra 5-10% in reduction.
- The utility room contains the furnace, so I want to reduce/prevent sound bleeding into the Home Theater area.
- For the flooring, I'm planning on doing carpeting in the Home Theater area and hardware (laminate) through the rest of the basement.
Sound-Reduction:
1) What's the best way to reduce sound bleed between floors? Note that the sub for the Home Theater is shown in the southwest corner of the room in the attached drawing. This may change for obvious reasons, but I'd like to keep it in that corner or at least the west wall. The sub in the living room (floor above) is located directly above the sump pump. In talking to my designer and researching the forums, we're looking at using whisper clips and 2 layers of drywall with green glue damping compound in between for the ceiling. I figured this would only be needed in the Home Theater section between the west wall and the I-Beam. Should I extend into the bar area behind it?
2) What's the best way to reduce sound bleed between the utility room and the Home Theater? I'm currently thinking 2 layers of drywall with green glue damping compound in between. Is the green glue even necessary here? I'm just concerned about the hum from the utility room getting into the Home Theater. Is the north wall of the utility room sufficient? Should I also do the wall between the utility room and the bathroom? Also unsure about the door itself.
3) Any additional sound-reducing needed? Should I be doing 2 layers of drywall with green glue damping compound on the west wall? Will this help in any way in regards to sound bleed into the upper floor? Are whisper clips recommended or needed on walls, or just ceiling?
In-Ceiling Speaker Placement:2) What's the best way to reduce sound bleed between the utility room and the Home Theater? I'm currently thinking 2 layers of drywall with green glue damping compound in between. Is the green glue even necessary here? I'm just concerned about the hum from the utility room getting into the Home Theater. Is the north wall of the utility room sufficient? Should I also do the wall between the utility room and the bathroom? Also unsure about the door itself.
3) Any additional sound-reducing needed? Should I be doing 2 layers of drywall with green glue damping compound on the west wall? Will this help in any way in regards to sound bleed into the upper floor? Are whisper clips recommended or needed on walls, or just ceiling?
4) How many in-ceiling speakers should I get for proper coverage of the arcade and pool table areas? I figure 2 should be sufficient in the arcade area, but for the pool area I'm wondering if 4 will be enough or if I should use 6. I think I'll be using them for music fairly frequently. The primary factor that tells me I may need more than 4 is the location of the I-Beams where there will be frameouts expected to hide them, as well as the difference in ceiling heights. The house is a split-level, so the north side has higher ceilings than the south.
5) Where would be the optimal placement of the in-ceiling speakers? The I-Beam locations pushed me towards locating the speakers where they're currently located in the attached diagram. If I go with 6 for the pool table area, I figure the additional 2 will go in between the current pairs, with the south-most pair being pushed farther south to be centered between the wall and I-Beam.
6) Should Zone 2 music be mono or stereo? I have never setup a secondary audio zone before, so I'm charting new waters here. It seems to me that stereo would be pointless given this layout, since you're never facing one direction.
7) Should I be concerned with sound-reducing the ceiling in the arcade and pool table areas? I'm planning on using Klipsch ME-800-C speaker enclosures for this reason. Should this be sufficient on its own for the non-Home Theater areas?
Dolby-Atmos:5) Where would be the optimal placement of the in-ceiling speakers? The I-Beam locations pushed me towards locating the speakers where they're currently located in the attached diagram. If I go with 6 for the pool table area, I figure the additional 2 will go in between the current pairs, with the south-most pair being pushed farther south to be centered between the wall and I-Beam.
6) Should Zone 2 music be mono or stereo? I have never setup a secondary audio zone before, so I'm charting new waters here. It seems to me that stereo would be pointless given this layout, since you're never facing one direction.
7) Should I be concerned with sound-reducing the ceiling in the arcade and pool table areas? I'm planning on using Klipsch ME-800-C speaker enclosures for this reason. Should this be sufficient on its own for the non-Home Theater areas?
8) Given the ceiling height in the Home Theater area, are Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers even an option? I've read that the ceiling needs to be at least 8 ft high for the upward firing speakers. My plan is to use floorstanding speakers for the front with integrated Atmos speakers firing upwards. If the height is an issue, I could use in-ceiling speakers, but I would have to make sure they're located west of the ceiling where the ducts are.
9) My plan was only to use upward firing Atmos speakers in the fronts. Do I need Atmos speakers in the rear? I'm planning on using in-ceiling speakers for the back surrounds, so Atmos isn't really an option back there. That makes me wonder if I'll be losing the effect.
General Room:9) My plan was only to use upward firing Atmos speakers in the fronts. Do I need Atmos speakers in the rear? I'm planning on using in-ceiling speakers for the back surrounds, so Atmos isn't really an option back there. That makes me wonder if I'll be losing the effect.
10)I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this, but I figure I'll put this up for discussion anyways. From a price/consistency standpoint, it would be nice to have hardwood flooring throughout the basement, but from what I've read the audio in the Home Theater area will sound better if the floor is carpeted. At this point I think I'm set on carpeting just the Home Theater area. What's the general consensus on this? And if I go the carpet route, does it matter how thick/plush the carpet is?
Hopefully this isn't too much to throw into one thread. If anyone suggests splitting this out, please let me know. I just figured a lot of this directly relates to each other. Looking forward to hearing your input, so if you could provide any help on any or all of these questions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!