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Re-arranged Room Sounds Awful...How to Improve?

You can click on my system below to see the old set up and the new setup of my room. My old setup was the only arrangement my system had ever known, and I didn't even realize how good it was until everything got rearranged. Now my imaging is all but gone, and a chunk has been taken out of the midrange.

Current constraints:

1.) The setup has to remain basically the same because of the girlfriend.

2.) Room treatments are limited to things that are aesthetically pleasing (yes, because of the girlfriend).

I need help with creative solutions! The room dimensions are listed in the pictures of my system, the ceilings are 10 feet high, the floor is hardwood, and there is a canvas curtain in front of the bay window. The bookshelf is full of books (which helps), and the couch and chair with the ottoman are leather (which doesn't help).

I'm open to anything that you think might bring back some of the musical characteristics that were lost.

-Dusty
128x128heyitsmedusty
pauly
456 posts
 
Acoustics is the biggest PITA out there and I am sure I speak for many folks on the forum, more steps are taken back wards than forwards when treating a room. I have spent many thousand on room treatments and still regularly go back and forth on treatments.

I will suggest doing some research on the net and looking at something like Masters Handbook of Acoustics by F Alton Everest as a start. You could also try asking some questions on the Audio Asylum acoustics board.

Good luck
Paul

BTW, what software did you use to draw the room dimensions?
eldarado
381 posts
 
You might ask the girlfriend to compromise. If she insists on such an arrangement then she should be flexible on room treatments, IMO.

I have a great wife. She is willing to compromise with me and I with her. Makes for a good relationship.

You might look at treatments that can be put in place when you are listening critically and put up when not. I would start with some treatments to go in the corners to start with.

Good luck.
tedmbrady
208 posts
 
What is that on the right most wall (looking at the drawing; i.e it's now the wall behind the listener)? If it's glass doors on a firepalce it might be ringing back to you, messing up things considerably. Maybe some diffusors on that back wall (wall hanging, etc.).
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Place the speakers closer together (either side of the TV) and move your chair back a couple of feet. Don't toe in your speakers - this will create a confusion of left and right reflections and interference patterns (left channel reflects off rear right wall and confusing the stereo image). As a general rule it is never good to sit exactly in the middle of a room and especially a square room.
tarsando
578 posts
 
I don't think there is a 'general rule' regarding sitting in the middle of a room. Nor is it necessarily bad to toe speakers in. If I had to guess, I would have thought your "new" set up would sound much better than your "old". So much for that. No real suggestions except to move the speakers around as much as possible, searching for the better sound. Re your girlfriend--she's 'compromising' quite a bit (from my experience) in being ok with all that equipment in the room period. Good luck!
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