New HT/Media room acoustic help

[rumonkey2]

I've just set-up a small square room I've been planning for some time. the room of death 11.5x11.5x8
About to purchase a few panels & DIY from ATS. Now, to me the room sounds great. It's just that I "know" it could be better. W/out the means to take any "hard" measurements, I've just got my ears to rely on. Still tweaking & gonna be doing some upgrading (to sub , AVR & TV). Although I can't "hear" the problems, I know I've got some standing wave issues & reflections points to cover. The biggest problem I can hear is a "ringing" - not an echo - at high db. And this room loads SPL quickly. HT mode it is great , especially at moderate levels.
2 channel listening is when I can hear subtle issues (still great, but I can at least recognize problems w/ 2 channel)
My speakers are on rather low stands - Xls across the front on 16" stands - puts the tweets right about 28". This is actually fine for me as they are ear level when I recline & I don't notice much detail loss when upright. They are firing directly into my Berklines. Am I crazy thinking I have some absorption benefit from this? Pics to follow...
Drapes will be going on window behind loveseat & possibly closet doors. But the room is so small & tight, I'm not "hearing" many problems w/ reflections points. But, I know they are there. Plan to put panels on each side of closet & wall by window closest to recliners. Panel (or panels) behind recliners, which are only 1 foot from rear wall. I'm thinking something in ceiling corners will help tame ringing? Sub is in front corner next to loveseat & "stradled" by media rack. Bass was noticeably improved once I got rack loaded w/ CDs & such. And planned AVR & sub upgrade will help in dialing in/roll-off w/ mains.
Any suggestions, ideas greatly appreciated. I'm of course trying to do this on the cheap & just want to be convinced I will "hear" a difference....

BTW, these pics were before room "cleanup" and getting things in order.
Media shelving now full & I am looking at new TV. If 42" Flat Panel - wall mount , "lowboy" will be built to house electronics w/ speakers on top - only slightly "taller" than current stands. If 42" RP (LCD), similar TV stand to be built (wooden) & use current stands.....

Sorry for the long post...

 

[bpape]

Getting the recliners away from the wall will help a lot but doesn't look like you have a lot of space. A square room is going to take a good deal of bass control to tame. IMO, broadband bass control is the first thing I'd deal with in that room

I'd try to get something relatively thick behind the seating on the floor. Also, the front corners are a good place to kill pretty hard.

The best solution for you may well be to start trapping the wall/ceiling intersections. That gives you a lot of flexibility without giving up wall and floorspace.

Bryan

 

[rumonkey2]

Thanks Bryan -
The recliners have been pulled out about 1 ft from the wall. As deep into this room I can go w/ this set-up.
I figured ceiling/wall corners would be a good start...why something behind recliners on the floor though??(just to hide?) How about front floor/wall intersection. I'm picturing some large rolled/tube type - looking almost like one of those "no draft" things you put under door..??? Well, really more of a rounded wedge....

2" thick stuff good broadband? or how much 4" should I go....
Really need to keep this lo $$ as possible. Trust me, I would luv to use some GIK stuff, just can't get it into my budget
So it's gonna be lotsa DIY
Thanks for your input!

 

[bpape]

4" for bass control. Up front will work fine as will up in the wall/ceiling corners.

Behind the seating is to at least partially mitigate the issues with sitting so close by killing the corner closest to your seating position yet still keep symmetry.

Bryan