Advice on Building a Listening Room

[hakim]

Hi All,

I wanted to develop a listening room in my small recording studio. I have a room that is 15' x 33'. It has large openings on both sides and is currently used for a lounge area. The first thing I wanted to know is if anyone had any suggestions for listening media. I currently upload mixdowns to my iPod and play it for myself and clients on a two way speaker system for iPod... but I would like to set up the listening room for different forms of listening media. Are there any suggestions, for both high and low end listening?

[Tomer1]

Is it impossible to incorporating this listening area in your current studio?

[hakim]

Originally Posted by Tomer1

Is it impossible to incorporating this listening area in your current studio?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean but I am trying to understand what can be done with this kind of space. It is a room that has two large openings at opposite ends. There is currently no acoustic treatment in this room; hardwood floors and some furnishings (leather couch, table etc.).

I was thinking to look for an old pioneer CD player and Tuner in addition to my iPod system and perhaps some older loud speakers Pioneer or Blaupunkt. But I am not sure if this approach is the right direction or not.

I am looking for help and no it does not seem impossible to me.

[Ethan Winer]

It will help a lot of you can post a drawing showing where the openings are in relation to the walls.

--Ethan

[hakim]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

It will help a lot of you can post a drawing showing where the openings are in relation to the walls.

Hi Ethan, thank you for responding. I have made up a cheap and dirty diagram of the room, here. The measurements are by memory and may be 1 or 2 feet long or short. I will post pictures this evening.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by hakim

I have made up a cheap and dirty diagram of the room

You say the room shape is 2:1 yet in the drawing it looks square. Maybe I'll have more to comment on after you post some photos.

--Ethan

[hakim]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

You say the room shape is 2:1 yet in the drawing it looks square. Maybe I'll have more to comment on after you post some photos.

Ethan, the entire space from wall to wall is 2:1 however the front of the room where the entrance to the apartment is located is not what I am considering the listening room. The dotted line on my diagram represents where the listening room begins (it is an imaginary line - there is no wall).

The walk-in space at the entrance is for coats and shoes and just right of that is a small kitchen-type area with tiled flooring.

So you are right the actual listening space is not 2:1 however the wall space of the room is. I hope this is clear I really want you to understand my room you seem genuine and willing to help.

[Ethan Winer]

But I can't tell where the openings are. I can't even tell for sure if this is a top-view drawing.

Or do you mean the walk-ways? If so, then your proposed interior room is longer left to right, yes? In that case you'll set up facing the left wall.

Maybe these articles and videos will help you:

How to set up a room
Maximum Studio, Minimum Stress
Room Setup
The Ultimate Home Studio

--Ethan

[hakim]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I can't even tell for sure if this is a top-view drawing.

Yes it is a top view.

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Or do you mean the walk-ways? If so, then your interior room is longer left to right, yes?

Yes it is longer left to right. Left - 1st Opening (Entrance); Right - 2nd Opening (walk-way/studio entrance). I was just looking at your, "How to Setup a Room" article and watched the ultimate home studio video yesterday. It is helping me a bit.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by hakim

I was just looking at your, "How to Setup a Room" article and watched the ultimate home studio video yesterday. It is helping me a bit.

Excellent, and just ask for further specific advice.

--Ethan

[hakim]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Excellent, and just ask for further specific advice.

One thing I realized, thanks to you video, is that I am going to have completely change the direction of the furniture in the room. I contact you for specifics when I start workin.