Basic info for small room?

[Craig234]

My house and living room are small. I don't have the living room measured, but it's 7 steps square - I'll guess 15 feet - with a small alcove in the back.

What sort of setup makes sense for this, in terms of screen size? I like the idea of the big picture effect, but viewing distance is probably 5-8 feet.

(5 from the couch, 8 from a chair if I put one in the middle of the room).

It's a plaster wall type room, in terms of acoustics. I probably want something fancier than fits the room... thanks for any tips.

 

[ScottMayo]

My house and living room are small. I don't have the living room measured, but it's 7 steps square - I'll guess 15 feet - with a small alcove in the back.

What sort of setup makes sense for this, in terms of screen size? I like the idea of the big picture effect, but viewing distance is probably 5-8 feet.

(5 from the couch, 8 from a chair if I put one in the middle of the room).

It's a plaster wall type room, in terms of acoustics. I probably want something fancier than fits the room... thanks for any tips.

Depends on budget. There are projectors that can throw a wide image over a short distance without much screedoor effect, but you might be better off with a big flatscreen TV here. The Panasonic AE900U projector might work well in this space, firing from near the back wall, but I'd find a reseller and ask pointed questions.

A 15'x15 room is a train wreck, acoustically. It won't be as bad for movies as it would be for music, but I'd still try to build or buy bass traps, to deal with the low frequency problems you'll have around 70-75Hz, 110Hz and so on. You'll want to treat all 4 corners at an absolute minimum.

 

[Craig234]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback. Any pointers to how to treat the corners as you suggested?

This 15x15 room has about a 4' x 8' cutout at the back. Not sure if that is of much importance.

I've ordered the Panasonic AE900U projector.

For speakers, I should do some shopping - the Optimum M-80's have a very nice review from this site, and sell for $1300.

Violating the rule you suggest on your site which I agree with, to spend ~70% on the speakers, the Denon AVR-4306 receiver just reviewed here also looks quite nice, with a street price of just over $1400; balancing the budget between the components is a big part of the question. Is there that much difference between these speakers and others at two or three times the price - the Maurdant Short Avant set of speakers was awfully well reviewed too...

 

[David French]

Rigid insulation such as fiberglass or rockwool wrapped in a gas-permeable fabric are excellent and inexpensive treatments. Using them is simple: place them across corners where a wall meets a wall and where the ceiling meets a wall. I will gladly elaborate if asked.

 

[HAA Acoustics]

Craig,

Have you considered your subwoofer purchase yet? A good idea in a room such as this is to consider using multiple subwoofers. The bad on square rooms is the coincidence of modal frequencies. In the low frequencies this can be a disaster since so much bass pressure is concentrated in a very few number of frequencies. Using 2 subs placed at opposing midpoints in the room can greatly reduce (even eliminate) the stimulation of many of these modes. This approach combined with correct treatment as was suggested should make a big difference. I'm also a big proponent of parametric EQ at least on the sub.

Gerry

 

[bpape]

Gerry and David are right on in terms of the sound. The dual sub setup can help a lot.

In terms of screen size, try to get your seating position set first for best sound. Try 1/3 or 62% of the length and see which gives the best response. From there, calculate the screen size for appropriate viewing angles.

The biggest mistake people make IMO is buying too big a screen. This tends to push the speakers out toward the corners (avoid if possible) and the seating position back to the rear wall where the bottom end response will be the worst in terms of smoothness.

Bryan