I am in the early stages of gut renovating a rowhouse, and my wife has insisted we go in wall for the main speakers in our TV room. Probably Revel 893 or GE Invisa SPS for the LR and a freestanding center channel. Our technology consultant has suggested that we also go with an in wall sub – the Paradigm RVC-12SQ. I’m still open to that idea, but I think there may be other/better options, especially for the price (about $1700).
Although I’m strictly forbidden by the wife from having a sub out in the middle of the room, we will have custom built in cabinets on both the front (18-20” in depth) and back (15” depth) wall. Seems like I should be able to construct a cubby hole(s) in the built ins for at least one maybe two subs and cover the opening(s) with acoustic cloth, which should pass the WAF test. The sub(s) could sit on top of an isolation pad on the floor (not attached to the actual built it, to avoid unnecessary vibration). I’ve marked possible sub locations with a red X in the room setup attachment.
We aren’t looking to wake the neighbors (and we will have them on each side and a tenant’s bedroom immediately below, so we’ll be actively taking measures to soundproof the room as much as possible) – I care as much or more about music than action movies anyway.
A few questions:
Other than finding a different/better wife who would let me position the subs optimally in a visible location in the room, what would you do in my situation?
Although I’m strictly forbidden by the wife from having a sub out in the middle of the room, we will have custom built in cabinets on both the front (18-20” in depth) and back (15” depth) wall. Seems like I should be able to construct a cubby hole(s) in the built ins for at least one maybe two subs and cover the opening(s) with acoustic cloth, which should pass the WAF test. The sub(s) could sit on top of an isolation pad on the floor (not attached to the actual built it, to avoid unnecessary vibration). I’ve marked possible sub locations with a red X in the room setup attachment.
We aren’t looking to wake the neighbors (and we will have them on each side and a tenant’s bedroom immediately below, so we’ll be actively taking measures to soundproof the room as much as possible) – I care as much or more about music than action movies anyway.
A few questions:
- Will a sub perform successfully in the kind of environment I’m imagining – surrounded on 5 sides and with the front flush with the front of the built ins? I assume that for this kind of application I want sealed and front firing subs, correct? Do I want the cubby hole to be as fitted as possible or will it do better with some space to the sides and back?
- Should I opt for two subs for this space or will a single sub do the trick? My room is 15’ x 12.5’ x 10’ ceilings, but it is an open floor plan that is adjacent to the kitchen. Because my placement is pretty much limited to the locations marked, my thought is that having two subs might compensate for deficiencies that may be caused by the fixed locations.
- 10”or 12”? Based on the cabinet depth that I’m working with on the front wall, it seems like I could probably fit 12” subs there. Something like the SVS SB-2000. That wouldn’t leave very much breathing room at the back of the sub though. I guess that gets back to question #1.
Other than finding a different/better wife who would let me position the subs optimally in a visible location in the room, what would you do in my situation?
