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The ideal auditorium? Blank canvas

I am placing this under "Speakers", since it's all about building an auditorium that will become one with my speakers.

I have the opportunity to build a small auditorium in my garden (in Christchurch, New Zealand). This will be a house with one empty area for my audio and CD collection. It will be designed to be used only by myself, and maybe the occasional visitor.

My current music room is 4x3M, and I find that too small (acoustically). However, building an auditorium slightly smaller (max. 10m2) presents a huge advantage: there is no need for building consent and red tape...

I am using a pair of New Zealand built Image 414 http://www.imageloudspeakers.com/products/414.asp loudspeakers with a matching subwoofer http://www.imageloudspeakers.com/products/sub10.asp , powered by a Sony TA-FA3ES integrated amplifier - a combination that is very satisfying. I listen exclusively to classical; subwoofer helps a lot with organ, but is necessary in some other cases only.

The auditorium must be built with potential future uses in mind. It will have water connections for an eventual kitchen and bathroom. Whatever shape I give to it, it must be easily converted into accommodation / office later.

Since I have a blank canvas, what is your advice on:

- Ideal size, proportions (square? rectangular? other shape?)

- Ideal floor (carpet over concrete? over floating wooden floor?)

- Floor height? Should I plan a sitting area higher than the speakers?

- Ideal walls?

- Ideal height?

I suppose the ideal shape will be symmetrical.

Any advice would be appreciated. I plan to draw plans which I would publish here.
waryn

Showing 5 responses by waryn

waryn OP
20 posts
 
I am thrilled with your replies. The Golden Trapagon seems like a good departure point! It will have to be slightly downsized. Now, I'll submit that nightmare to my builder!

Martykl, you write
I lined the walls with acoustically absorbtive panels up to the ceiling and covered that with decorative (think speaker grill cloth) material. It looked great and was very effective for killing reflections above 150ish hz.
but I assume your walls WERE parallel, and I should not plan to go to that extent inside my trapagon?
waryn OP
20 posts
 
Mapman
Most room furnishings that can help a room sound good is not marketed to audiophiles and sound engineers!
That is definitely music to my bank account!

Plans will be underway and I should able to post them here in 2-3 days.
waryn OP
20 posts
 
Ok, what do you think of this first plan? - The original Golden Trapagon appeared too big for me, so I have reduced the horizontal dimensions by 25%... but now, it appears too small, doesn't it? What do you think?
waryn OP
20 posts
 
Thanks, Martykl. 4 subwoofers is definitely something I am keen to consider later. Also, I am in Christchurch / New Zealand; transport is not negligible.

Here is a new version of my music room plan. This one is fullsized. The shelves at the back are for CD storage only
waryn OP
20 posts
 
Feng Shui principal is to have doors and windows visible from the sitting or sleeping position. Idea is that you should be able to see who is entering.

Bjesien, yes, but that would mean that the sliding glass door and windows are on the narrow side of the house, and that wouldn't work well either.

In the current setup, I am planning to have a thick theater curtain blocking the sliding door in my back. I do like to see who's coming, though, and I may consider a security camera, or maybe some outside mirrors on the side windows for that purpose. Not sure how compatible that is with Feng Shui?
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