Break the length/width "rule" or build horizontal superchunk... or...? please help!

[AKJM]

Hi

I have a room-specific question regarding a slant on the ceiling in my new space. I really need some expert views on this - the room is empty right now - or at least everything is movable, so I want to start out on the correct footing.

so here is my "dilemma" - I have included attachments of sketchups to show exact details...

If I set up in the "normal" length- firing way then I will have a slant on the right hand side of the ceiling - it's not huge, but enough I imagine to change my stereo image. I was considering building a horizontal superchunk type trap on the left hand side to maybe...errr.... "even" things out.

However, maybe it would be better to break away from my initial thoughts and use the room width-ways... thus positioning the slant above my monitors...?

the sketchups...

In the "overhead" file - the red triangles are where I intend to build fully vertically extending superchunk corner traps - the green boxes show my rough monitor positions and the blue circle the listening point - ALL by my initial length-firing thoughts.

In "side1" it shows the slant on the right hand side of the ceiling - in orange the position of the horizontal superchunk I have considered building - as an attempt to cancel out the slant. It would extend all the way back along this wall.

In "side2" I show my second thought about a width-firing setup - the big disadvantage I see here in general is that I will not be able to utilise the space of the room as well as lengthways.

The scale of the walls should be pretty exact - the superchunks and monitors probably not!!

please help guys! wanna get this right - moving all my gear after it's setup will be a BIG hassle ... right now it's a clean slate - so I see it as the best time to sort this stuff out!

[AKJM]

just to add - I will also be placing pads at reflection points on the walls as well as hanging from the ceiling - also if I go lengthways, I plan on having a slanted superchunk above the monitors...

[D_T_Music]

I have almost the exact same issue except that my ceiling slants the entire with of the room. I posted a thread here, New control room layout? but have yet to get responses. I figure if either of us get help we can check the other's thread for advice.

Good luck,

Dave

[AKJM]

Originally Posted by D_T_Music

I have almost the exact same issue except that my ceiling slants the entire with of the room. I posted a thread here, New control room layout? but have yet to get responses. I figure if either of us get help we can check the other's thread for advice.

Good luck,

Dave

I'm by no means an acoustic expert - but that's a BIG slant!! From what I have read I think you'll be advised to go widthways - using the thin end of the wedge as the monitor position... I'm thinking that in my case because it's fairly small I might get away with building something on the left to counteract (fingers crossed!)... it's gonna mean a lot less economy of space otherwise

[DanDan]

The words 'acoustic' and 'expert' never look good together IMHO.

The mass of the boundaries is an important factor in choosing which wall to face. However, even if we knew all that, it would still be just a guessing game here.
The only way to find out is test it. One speaker is enough, try it at each of the choices. Look at the Waterfalls. Sometimes the Frequency Response graph will have a strong dip which is not so obvious on the Waterfall. That would be a destructive reflection. Check the Waterfall with a 10-20mS duration to see if any of these are hiding in there.
Hopefully one way will be visibly better than the other. Try the other speaker position to be sure.

DD

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by AKJM

If I set up in the "normal" length- firing way then I will have a slant on the right hand side of the ceiling - it's not huge, but enough I imagine to change my stereo image. I was considering building a horizontal superchunk type trap on the left hand side

I doubt that slant will hurt imaging because it's well above ear height. I'd just treat the room as usual, and definitely put bass traps in all of the ceiling corners too if possible.

--Ethan

The Acoustic Treatment Experts

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I doubt that slant will hurt imaging because it's well above ear height. I'd just treat the room as usual, and definitely put bass traps in all of the ceiling corners too if possible.

--Ethan

Agreed and it is does become a problem you can always treat it which should fix the problem.

[jhbrandt]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I doubt that slant will hurt imaging because it's well above ear height. I'd just treat the room as usual, and definitely put bass traps in all of the ceiling corners too if possible.

--Ethan

The Acoustic Treatment Experts

Agreed. (of course)

Keep your treatment symmetrical and your response should be relatively symmetrical as long as you are aligned symmetrically within the room.

-- off to the side,
John

[AKJM]

DanDan - I definitely intend to take measurements -but unfortunately it isn't practical right now and won't be for a while - in a bit of a chicken/egg situation right now!

Messrs Winer, Kuras & Brandt - thanks for the nudge - I'll go lengthways and change things round if measurements tell me otherwise

much appreciated guys!

[DanDan]

AK, what materials are you walls made of? e.g. Concrete, Sheetrock on stud. Concrete lined with sheetrock with a gap.
My point/ question here is , whichever way you face, are the walls to the left and right the same construction?
I have seen dramatic differences in LF response between L and R when the walls were different. This in itself doesn't bother me too much, as I am not big on LF symmetry. However the side with the poorer LF response seems to take down the other one, so overall LF is the worst of two evils.

DD

[AKJM]

Originally Posted by DanDan

AK, what materials are you walls made of? e.g. Concrete, Sheetrock on stud. Concrete lined with sheetrock with a gap.
My point/ question here is , whichever way you face, are the walls to the left and right the same construction?
I have seen dramatic differences in LF response between L and R when the walls were different. This in itself doesn't bother me too much, as I am not big on LF symmetry. However the side with the poorer LF response seems to take down the other one, so overall LF is the worst of two evils.

DD

If I go lengthways they will be equal on R & L - not sure of exact construction. Widthways will mean a more flimsy partition type wall on the right side.

my query well is & truly answered from all angles of thought, I think!... except for the all-important measurements

[DanDan]

That seals the deal for me. Window wall in front, floppy back wall including door. All that leakiness should help weaken modes and BWBIR. (Destructive Reflections from the Back Wall which cause LF nulls.)
BTW I concur with the others about the overhead symmetry thing. A good cloud will sort that out.
DD

[jhbrandt]

++1

- John