Stupid, Stupid question...

[HP666]

Let me just ask, because a friend of mine told me I'm wrong.

When measuring the square footage of a room, like a total, in order to decide on a speaker system you measure the following: Length X Width X Height, correct???

My friend is telling me that it's only length X width, I think he's nuts. Could someone just verrify this for me.

 

[MDS]

Square feet = length x width
Cubic feet = length x width x height

 

[HP666]

Square feet = length x width
Cubic feet = length x width x height

So to pick a speaker system worthy of a certain room size I am using CUBIC?? Or is that incorrect?

Disregard, I got it, CUBIC.

 

[mike c]

many people measure the length and width (square feet) only because many people ASSUME that normal rooms have, of course, normal room height.

but it is indeed more accurate to measure the l x w x h (cubic feet)

 

[no. 5]

When measuring the square footage of a room, like a total, in order to decide on a speaker system you measure the following: Length X Width X Height, correct???

yes, correct.

My friend is telling me that it's only length X width, I think he's nuts.

yeah, to find how much speaker you need to fill a room you need to know how much voulme the room has, if we lived in 2D space only length X width would be ok, but we don't.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Let me just ask, because a friend of mine told me I'm wrong.

When measuring the square footage of a room, like a total, in order to decide on a speaker system you measure the following: Length X Width X Height, correct???

My friend is telling me that it's only length X width, I think he's nuts. Could someone just verrify this for me.

Perhaps your friend is interpreting you literally only and MDS posted what sqft is.

By the way, there are no stupid questions, only unasked ones are stupid.

 

[no. 5]

but it is indeed more accurate to measure the l x w x h (cubic feet)

right, it always bugs me not to see cubic feet when someone is asking 'what X to buy' (can we get a sticky on this thread? ).

 

[Nick250]

Cubic feet is most commonly used determining what size sub woofer is required and is a necessary starting point. The number needs to include not only the listening room but any rooms opening into it.

Nick

 

[MDS]

Cubic feet is also useful to know for receivers that are THX certified; eg THX Select and Select2 are supposedly powerful enought for 2,000 cubic foot rooms.

 

[WildAboutSound]

so is there a guideline to follow, or helpful chart ?.... i know we all have our differences in opinions, but im new to home audio. when it comes to car audio i know a thing or two, but h/a is very different

 

[mike c]

many people measure the length and width (square feet) only because many people ASSUME that normal rooms have, of course, normal room height.

but it is indeed more accurate to measure the l x w x h (cubic feet)

someone tried to leave me a chicklet for this post without a comment - but it was gray ... what does that mean again? somebody who doesnt have enough posts tried to give a chicklet ... but was it green or red?

 

[MDS]

I think a gray chicklet means the person leaving the feedback has a negative value for reputation; ie more reds than greens but it could mean that they just don't have enough posts.

Your example perfectly illustrates in my mind why the whole 'reputation' system is flawed. My answer was the straightforward defintion of square feet vs cubic feet; your answer was simply a different perspective on whether or not the distinction matters for choosing speakers and there is nothing wrong with that as far as I am concerned.

Reputation is earned and over time people learn who knows what about each particular topic - regardless of the count of their red vs green chicklets.

 

[Ampdog]

By the way, there are no stupid questions, only unasked ones are stupid.

May I start a little off-topic and accentuate the importance of that remark. Too many posts on the forum give the impression that the (usually a beginner) member is trembling lest he makes a fool of himself. I have noticed with sadness that some replies (referring to the forum as a whole) give the impression that some matters are below the replier's status (whatever that might be).

May I add (I will be with the thread in a moment) in all humility: I believe 50+ years of professional experience might witness that I am neither new to electronics, nor to audio. I have been taught and have taught others myself. I have never received a stupid question, but have asked many myself in early years. Those who did not start at the beginning, raise their hands .......

There is a saying: He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes. He who does not ask is a fool for the rest of his life.
Amen.

Now back: HP666 and W-A-Sound, the reply has been given, but just to add for completeness that room volume is a very basic parameter and end results will be very dependant on many other factors like shape, appointments et al. Yes, there are graphs and charts but all still rather basic. None with me at present, so you will have to go hunting (now I do to you what I hate others doing, but have no alternative in this case )

Regards!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think a gray chicklet means the person leaving the feedback has a negative value for reputation; ie more reds than greens but it could mean that they just don't have enough posts.

Your example perfectly illustrates in my mind why the whole 'reputation' system is flawed. My answer was the straightforward defintion of square feet vs cubic feet; your answer was simply a different perspective on whether or not the distinction matters for choosing speakers and there is nothing wrong with that as far as I am concerned.

Reputation is earned and over time people learn who knows what about each particular topic - regardless of the count of their red vs green chicklets.

I am not sure what a gray chicklet means but it is not necessarily a bad input. I get them with good comments, and after several of them, I get a green and the points jumps several points.
So, perhaps it is weighed somehow?

 

[mtrycrafts]

There is a saying: He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes. He who does not ask is a fool for the rest of his life.
Amen.
Regards!

Thanks

I was thinking about that saying but didn't have the whole of it correct, so my other comment
I tend to learn a lot from my questions.

 

[mike c]

I am not sure what a gray chicklet means but it is not necessarily a bad input. I get them with good comments, and after several of them, I get a green and the points jumps several points.
So, perhaps it is weighed somehow?

it could be the guy who was NOT allowed to leave a chicklet (hence gray) had acquired the status to give out the chicklets, so his chicklet giving is applied retroactively