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The acoustically challenged room
Hi everyone,
I am settling in to a new apartment, and I'm trying to make the most of an acoustically challenged room. The dimensions aren't too bad at 13x15 ft. I have the speaker set up along the shorter wall, and that's really the only option. The area behind the listening position is mostly open, so there's no reflection to worry about right behind my head. The speakers are KEF LS50s, and I have them about 2.5 feet from the sidewalls and 5 feet from the back wall.
However, it's the wall behind the speakers that is the problem. There is a sliding glass door with plastic vertical blinds right in the middle, and due to the rental agreement I can't remove the blinds to put up drapes (although I could perhaps put drapes over them). The back corners are untreated right now. I'd like to avoid making the living room look like a recording studio as much as possible, but I can use some strategically placed acoustic panels if necessary.
So, you can see this is not an ideal set up. An audio storeowner whom I trust suggested getting a room divider made of wood and fabric to put in front of the door. It would provide some softening of the reflections without dampening the room too much. And I'm thinking of putting bookshelves in the corners and some nice fabric wall hangings to the side of each speaker.
If you have any other suggestions (high or low WAF is fine - I have a little good will built up :)), I'd appreciate your input.
Have a great day!
Scott
I am settling in to a new apartment, and I'm trying to make the most of an acoustically challenged room. The dimensions aren't too bad at 13x15 ft. I have the speaker set up along the shorter wall, and that's really the only option. The area behind the listening position is mostly open, so there's no reflection to worry about right behind my head. The speakers are KEF LS50s, and I have them about 2.5 feet from the sidewalls and 5 feet from the back wall.
However, it's the wall behind the speakers that is the problem. There is a sliding glass door with plastic vertical blinds right in the middle, and due to the rental agreement I can't remove the blinds to put up drapes (although I could perhaps put drapes over them). The back corners are untreated right now. I'd like to avoid making the living room look like a recording studio as much as possible, but I can use some strategically placed acoustic panels if necessary.
So, you can see this is not an ideal set up. An audio storeowner whom I trust suggested getting a room divider made of wood and fabric to put in front of the door. It would provide some softening of the reflections without dampening the room too much. And I'm thinking of putting bookshelves in the corners and some nice fabric wall hangings to the side of each speaker.
If you have any other suggestions (high or low WAF is fine - I have a little good will built up :)), I'd appreciate your input.
Have a great day!
Scott
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