My Mahogany / Invisible Speaker build

I could be completely wrong here.. but I think I have read you need more that 3' of space between the rows.. you may want to search this forum a bit Distance between rows..

Space seems to be pretty square, hard to get good sound in a square space generally speaking and there will be large bass issues especially in the second row.

I'm not sure I can weigh in on the bass traps. However, I can (moderately confidently) point out that with your rear row that close to the wall you'll have problems with your rear surrounds back there.

Also, I'm pretty sure I've read that you will (ideally) want about 5' between rows to accomodate the recliner and people passing by without falling over each other.

I'll be interested to see how the mahogany works out. Take a look at mcascio's build thread. He's got some very nice renders showing what he's doing to keep a high class feel while still incorporating acoustic treatments on the walls.

Check out shawnwalters's build. He's got a (relatively) small space. His is similar, a bit longer, than yours and a bit narrower.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1103417

Personally, I think you're trying to fit too much into the space. For one, I think you either have to choose 5.1 (or 7.1 with FH/FW) or 2 rows of seating.

Should be cool.

Why aren't you rotating it?

Here are some programs that will guide you to the space you should tune for;

http://www.realtraps.com/modecalc.htm

http://www.marktaw.com/recording/Aco...WaveCalcu.html

I don't think that the bass traps will solve the inherant problems with boom you will get, esspecially in the back row. I personally would ditch the row unless you know that there will always be a need for that many seats... just my 2C

What are your plans for the rest of the basement? That 25' x 15' part on the right looks ideal, room for two rows and an acoustically transparent screen (false wall).

Hey cowger,

I like your design, thinking out of the box so to speak.

You are close to that rear wall with your design and yes the rule of thumb says you want at least 1 foot if not 2. Having said that in space my the rear seats have 8" of space from the wall. I use Klipsch speakers and the surrounds are designed with 2 tweeters angled at 45 degrees with the speaker in the center. In my setup I thoroughly enjoy the surrond effects in the back row, a little more so than the front row.

The sound performance was improved greatly after I lined the walls with linacoustic and put bass traps in the screen wall. Also the rear row is a little more enclosed than the front because it's on a riser with a mini riser and because their is a soffited ceiling that comes over the rear row for lighting and the projector bay. Even before the sound treatments the back row space was always less reflective vs the front row space.

I can understand the reason for the design of that back wall (which I really like BTW) and wanting to keep enough space for entry to the space from the stairway. However, if you straighten at least the corners out it may give the chance for the curved section to go a little futher back and get better speaker placement. Are you planning a 7.1 or 5.1 setup? Are you doing in walls?

As far as, if 16' is to shallow, I have 16' of usable space. My room is 18 X 11.5, but I have a curved false wall with speakers behind and I lose 18" at the center and about 24" at the sides. My riser is about 6'1.5" in depth when you consider the lip.

My seating distances are about what you propose in your design, however my screen is only a 120" scrope screen. From the front row I am happy with the view for sports and video games, regular tv watching. The Mrs. prefers the rear row no matter what, but sometimes joins me up front. You mention a 138" screen which is great because of the width that you have but from the distance of the seating I think it will be a little to big.

Consider the option of turning the room as this would grant you the additional 2' in depth and may afford you what you need for a bigger screen.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.

AT screen?

Sorry for the horrible graphic. I don't have any software on my kitchen computer.





How about using an acoustically transparent screen on the right? You could provide access to the mechanical room from behind the screen.

I'm going to buck the trend and say I liked your original plan better than any of the revisions.
I'd be curious what the actual performance of the Invisible Stereo transducers is. The fact that they gloss over any mention of frequency response or sensitivity on their web page is pretty suspect to me. Possibly (or probably) because the response would vary based on the wall material they are behind.

All looks promising.

Are you doing any work on sound containment - not letting the rest of the house hear every nuance of your movie?

Personally I think I would have moved the back wall to something longer than 19' and used an AT screen - but this is looking good.

OK...where's the Beef? This "Woody" has got to be finished by now...right? The Wood Stained....Carpet should be in? The finished Room should be Drop Dead gorgeous.

How about a evaluation of the "Mahogany Sound"? Most people would lament over the difficulty in getting any decent performance in a "all Wood Paneled" room without employing extensive sound treatment, let alone actually using the Wood paneling itself to produce the sound.

Screen shots?

Don't wait until a whole year has passed!

BTW, the Riser treatment w/Rope Lighting looks really exceptional.

Beautiful room! I love the mahogany woodwork. Congratulations!