Room acoustics/treatments help?? Photos included


Hello!

I recently moved into an apartment, and the stereo is sounding pretty awful in the new room. Bass is pretty messy (though I can largely fix that with my Velo. DD15), but what I'm really concerned about is the bright and glaring upper midrange. My hi-fi sounds like a car stereo! If I turn it up at all, it just wrecks on the ears.

Please take a look at the attached photos. The lady is pretty easy going, but to keep her happy (and likewise, myself) we've gotta do the long-wall placement.

The long wall is about 15 feet long, and the short wall is about 12.5. As you can see the ceilings are quite high. The right-hand wall is open into the kitchen area, and 2nd level loft (see photos):

http://www.box.net/public/ayf6h44lhg
http://www.box.net/public/kup3gr2ocv
http://www.box.net/public/4rbp928onn
http://www.box.net/public/or6ztv7myd

Sorry about the messiness, we are still unpacking!

For equipment, I'm running Dynaudio S1.4s, with a Supratek preamp, and a Plinius SA102 amp. Various sources. I also have a pair of Von Schweikert VR1s that I can swap in if the Dyns simply won't work with the room.

So acoustics gurus - Can this room be made into a *great* sounding audio room?

What type of acoustic treatments would you recommend? (or any other ideas that could help with the sound)

As of now, I'm planning on putting some carpet strips on the front, back, and side walls to absorb some reflections (up to 8ft or so). Do you think I need to address the wall/ceiling above around 8ft or so?

I'm also thinking of making some basic tube traps (the really easy 'roll of fiberglass' ones) to put in the corners where the side wall is. Thinking about some heavy drapes on the windows as well. This all has got to be DIY since it's a somewhat temporary (1 or 2 yr) apartment.

One other idea I have is to put a big shower-curtain rod where the right-wall would be, and hanging some drapes, that I could close while listening to music, to perhaps act as a side wall. Is this a good idea, or just pretty dumb?

Any ideas or advice is appreciated!

Thanks,
Goatwuss
goatwuss
I don't think a shower curtain will help. Some of the suggestions here for downlaading acoustic literature or other material is good advise. There are inexpensive treatments for the walls and ceiling that might help. On the cork suggestion, it is really quite cheap and no one will notice when your done. Google cork suppliers and you will find bulk sheeting for a very good price. It can be stapled to the floor like a pad then you put a good fiber pad over that and then your carpet. The only thing that will be noticed is that it will make the floor seem far tighter.
Hi Goatwuss,

Your room looks very nice! It will be a real challange to get the acoustics right without damaging the spaciousness.

The high ceiling is very cool, but may quite be the cause of the poor sound. To keep costs down and if you don't mind some DIY, I could send you some pictures as how to build you some RoomTunes (like the ones from Michael Green Audio).
Temporary situation: http://www.htforum.nl/yabbse/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=36600.0;attach=30525;image

http://www.htforum.nl/yabbse/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=36600.0;attach=30527;image

They're quite simple to build; a leightweight wooden frame with R13 isolation material in it, covered with cloth.
Voila!
If you choose the right cloth (Let your lady choose!!!) you might be able to get that hard sound under control,
without destroying the looks of your home.

Please let me know what you think of this idea.

Best regards,

Roy