Room layout

[cfs50]

Hello, everyone! This is my first post to this forum--I've already gotten a lot of great info from the other threads, so hopefully I can get some feedback on my idea(s).

I'll be moving into an apartment in two months, and I have all my components already, but I'm torn between two room layouts. I'm fearful that the room is not large enough to create a really spacious HT, but I'd like it to becomfortable.

The living room is 11x10, with a utility closet in one corner, so the room is not perfectly rectangular. I've attached a picture, but it's not really to scale. There are no walls on the right--the iving room opens into the "dining area", which is just a fancy way of saying it's an area just thicker than a hallway that's adjacent to the kitchen.

My first thought was to put my sofa against the long back wall, and put the TV (a 32" CRT. I'll be saving up to purchase an LCD next year which will take up less space, but this is what i have right now) and front speakers on that narrower wall. But that doesn't leave very much room (hardly any, actually) for the rear speakers (large bookshelf speakers I've had for years--the front speakers are a matching pair)

My second thought was to put the tv into the corner by the closet, and face the couch at an angle parallel to the tv. That means I'll have to run the wires into the middle of the room and get stands for them.

The main thing is to have a HT that sounds great in a room that's not too cramped.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mpompey]

cfs50 , man you've got some choices ahead of you. I don't think anyone here can give you a guaranteed "right" answer here. You may have to try out both positions and see which one sounds best to you, as well as accommodates any W.A.F. (wife approval factor).

From looking at the picture you uploaded, I would start with the TV and speakers against the narrower wall. Just because I don't like the idea of the wasted space from using the corner. But your layout and furniture will make that the case, or not.

Try them both out and see, and let us know what you decide. If you need some speaker stands you could check out www.racksandstands.com, I've used them before, and they have a pretty decent selection.

 

[saurabh]

The only advise I can give is, go for the first option, if possible use a wall mount/shelf. but the backwall will also produce some high LFE booms. Use some absorbtions like a painting or wooden wall/bookshelf.

Corner plaements are difficult to tune.

 

[cfs50]

Thank you, saurabh & mpompey. I'm thinking that the first option would be the best--it would also leave the room more open and less cluttered. I know where I can get some low cost foam padding for the rear speaker wall mounts.

So I guess when I make the move, I'll have to play it by ear (And that pun was not intended at all--trust me). All I know is that those little plastic coasters that go under furniture are going to get a workout...

 

[mpompey]

While your at it, don't be afraid to run your wire over the carpet at first. You want to see how it sounds first. Once you decide on the position, then go ahead and run cable behind walls, or underneath carpet.

I'm not sure how knowlegeable about the subject you are, but you find all kinds of HT resources here on this website. Don't be afraid to ask.

 

[cfs50]

I'm prepared for the first couple of days in my new place to be trial and error. I've already got speaker wire pre-cut from my current place, so that will be my "test" cable. What I want to work with is the flat under-carpet cable. I have a fish-tape, but I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize my security deposit. Plus, unless anyone knows a place where they sell that cable for cheap, I don't want to foul it up and then need more. If worse comes to worse, covering up cable will be what my area rug is for!

And another question--the speaker stands I have my eye on have several tiers built in as shelves--how will that affect the acoustics. I couldn't find any online reviews of these stands:

http://www.htmarket.com/42335220.html If they turn out to be a good idea, I found another site that sells them for less.

Thanks again!

 

[mpompey]

I've used Parts Express to kit out much of my theatre. They have a pretty good selection, and decent prices, check them out.

www.************.com

As far as the stands, I would imagine the room's surroundings would have more effect than the objects on the shelves below. Are they going to be strong enough? The stands are rated to 4.5 lbs, is that going to be enough?

What kind of speakers are going on top of them?

 

[cfs50]

I hadn't even looked at the rating--they won't hold.

Well, I've got a month to come up with a plan B!

 

[mpompey]

What speakers are you going to place on the stands? Sanus and Wood Technology make pretty good stands. Sanus stands are made of steel and can hold up some decent equipment.

 

[cfs50]

They're pretty large Jensen bookshelf speakers. I'm not certain of the weight, but they're easily twice the weight limits of my first choice (I like their ability to serve as both a stand and as shelves--kind of killing two birds with one stone).

I'm trying to find some good prices on the Sanus NF30. Thanks for the input!

 

[mpompey]

I checked froogle and found those stands at about $90. You may be able to find them or imitation knock offs on Ebay for less. Boltz also makes some good stands but their stuff tends to be a little pricey. Your stands will end up costing you more than your speakers.

Let us know how the room setup goes. And if you need any help, this website is great.