Help Build my Audio Room!!

[WorldLeader]

Hey! I'm a long-time lurker of these forums and I now have a reason to come to you all for advice!

Preface:

Currently I'm moving to a new house that was built over 90 years ago, and I'm going to convert the unfinished attic into my bedroom. I made a rough sketch of what the attic looks like in a structural sense:

All the walls are just open with exposed insulation, mainly 2x4s with plenty of bracing. My plan is to drywall all the sloped walls and celling, and paint the whole room.

I will also have access to custom wiring since the attic will need to be rewired anyway (since it currently has 90 year old wiring)

The stairwell comes up around the center of the room, as you can see in the picture.

I have no real budget restrictions on the construction portion of the project.


Current Audio Equipment:

As I am a high school student and don't have a money tree growing in my yard, I'll probably use some of my existing speakers to compliment my setup. Here are the two sets of speakers I currently have:

Polk Audio Bookshelves -pair- (cira 1990-ish)

And some larger Klipsch Speakers -pair- (cira 1990-ish)

*sorry for the grainy pics, used my phone


Anyway, I also have plenty of speaker wire and other stuff.


Needed Audio Equipment:

I will probably want to put together a 5.1 or 6.1 system, since there is no obvious "front" of the room. I would want a good center speaker or a pair of bookshelves to give the room a suround-sound feel.

I also need a subwoofer that can dish it out but not get too distorted in such a small room. I love bass, and make my own songs on my iMac to take advantage of a powerful sub, so 300+ watts and 18- Hz would be nice.

Finally I will need a receiver that can support:
-- my iPod ( I have an cable for the red/black input)
-- A CD changer (Yamaha 5-disk)
-- Lots of speakers (7) and subwoofer
-- Good EQ
-- Remote Control

I need a receiver that can drive my speakers cleanly, but I don't need killer wattage.


Review:

+Center or Pair of bookshelves

+Subwoofer

+Receiver

I have a smaller room, and I will mostly play music with it, as I don't have current plans for a TV.

My budget: $1000 give or take some, but not much higher...

Please recomend what I should get and how I should set it up!

World Leader

 

[Sheep]

You might wanna invest in some room treatments because those slopes and corners are going to be nasty with bass.

SheepStar

 

[WorldLeader]

What type of materials would you suggest I use to make the room better tuned?

Here is a picture of one of the walls. All the junk will be out of there, so don't worry. The knee-walls may be brick in some places, but I won't know until I get in there with a hammer.

I'm not an audiophile and I don't need perfect sound, but I want to know how to finish off this room in an audio-friendly way.

Thanks.

PS. Why are all the images showing up as links? Are there no embedded images on this forum?

 

[BMO]

What type of materials would you suggest I use to make the room better tuned?


I'm not an audiophile and I don't need perfect sound, but I want to know how to finish off this room in an audio-friendly way.

Thanks.

Check out Rives Audio Forum for room treatment advice.They'll help you get what you need as far as a " better tuned room"( DIY)
Looks like a nice room for HT. Should be fun and educational.

 

[WorldLeader]

Thanks for the tip BMO!

Here is what I've assembled as far as possible choices that fit my needs. Please critique and tell me if there are better choices out there for my budget.

RECEIVER:

Yamaha HTR 5940

630 watts-105x6 channel-6.1
Link

$300 online

Continued shortly...

 

[WorldLeader]

SUBWOOFER:

Rocket ULW-10

$399--with that special Audioholics discount.
Link


Now will the room be ok with only 4 speakers for listening to music?

If I add a couple of speakers into the mix will I notice it at all?

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Did you actually list the dimensions of your room? It sounds like you'll be using it more for music than for HT...is that correct? If so, I'd be inclined to go with just two solid towers and a decent receiver for $1000. Many times guys will buy their gear and then after a year or two at the most want to upgrade.....

My own discourse has been that of: (for HT purposes by the way)...I bought my front three speakers first (r/l towers and center channel), new receiver and dvd player next (about a month later).....recently added rear surrounds and now saving for a nice sub.....and though Ive had to be more patient.....Im glad Ive done it this way rather than buy stuff I wouldnt be satisfied with.

We dont know how those speakers sound though that you currently have....I would recommend that you go and audition some towers or larger bookshelves and see how they compare with what you currently have.....after auditioning them you may find that you really do need new fronts or you may find that you're happy with the ones you already have.....but remember those fronts and your new receiver are going to make the biggest difference in your overall sound/finished product!

Let us know what you decide....best of luck and enjoy the process, it's half the fun!

 

[WorldLeader]

Hey thanks!

The room that I'm talking about is around 300-400 sq ft, with sloped ceilings. I was looking at this system mainly for music.

So you think that if I get a nice reciever (does the Yamaha one look Ok, or are there better ones for the money?) and two towers that I will be better off?

How about these Axioms for towers? Will they produce enough bass on their own or will they need a sub? I have lots of songs that use long, rumbling bass lines.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

those Axioms are nice and you'll prob. want to eventually add a sub yes.....Axiom recommends Denon or HK for their speakers for the warmest sounding music...but Im sure the yammy would be fine as well.

 

[WorldLeader]

Well I do have an old Denon DRA 25 stereo reciever. Would that work or am I better off with a new receiver?

Also after looking at my budget and prices, I think that those semi-bookshelves like the Axiom M22s or the Ascend CMT-340 SE look like a better deal.

I've seen lots of people compair/contrast these two speakers and I want to know which one will be better for me. I like the look of the Ascends, but they are a bit more than the Axioms.

Thanks.

 

[WorldLeader]

Anyone know which of the speakers above would be the better choice for me?