Room size for Home Theater?

My room has the same dimensions and it probably has a ton more stuff in it too, but I've gotten my home theater to sound pretty good despite the obstacles.

All my HT speakers are wall mounted and set to "small" in the processor so I don't experience any boominess from their close proximity to the walls. The 5 channel amp I'm using is rated at the high end of the recommended amplification for these speakers, so it controls them quite well. I'm using a single 12" subwoofer which for this room is plenty. Anything bigger would probably be too much, and could be more difficult to integrate. A single 10" might suffice.

As for room treatment, that would depend on the specific needs of your environment. Curtains over windows is a good start, and anything like books on shelves to reduce reflections might help. It's tough to recommend room treatments without knowing what else you intend to have in the room with your gear and furniture.

Having no experience setting up a home theater in a large room, I think a small room is easier, as long as there isn't anything in there to throw off the symmetry of the layout.

Good luck!

I also have a room with very similar dimensions (13" and 11").

I don't think it is "too small", but I think you may have a "boomy" bass if you are not care. Some kind of bass trap is probably needed. Otherwise, a large overstuffed fabric sofa may help. Book shelves are great diffusors - I have the left and right wall covered with books. You should not try to cover every surface with acoustic foam. If you do, your room will end up sounding too "dead" Instead a good mix of absorption and diffusion will give you better results.

Specific room treatments is very dependant on your particular room. Without knowing your layout and what else you intend to have in the room (eg furniture, etc), it is difficult to give more than general suggestions. In general, I would suggest you try to unclutter the front, ie projector onto a screen works better than a large TV in front.

For equipment, I use 5 identical hi-end mini-monitors. The LCR are stand mounted while the surr. are wall mounted. All set to "small". The power amp I'm using is an overkill for these speakers, so the control is very tight. With some acoustic treatment and careful speaker placement, I do not have a boom problem. I had the same set up in a large room (20" by 16"), it did sound better (bigger!), but I think a small room is highly "do-able".

I am still looking for a subwoofer that will not overwhelm the room. I agree with Gunbei that anything bigger than 12" would probably be too much. A single 10" is probably more than sufficient for most people/taste. Some may suggest that you can lose the sub in such a small room. I disgree, the nature of HT track is too punishing for normal speakers alone. You will need the dynamic ability and power of a good (does not have to be big) sub for the low freq.

Good luck !

I have a friend who did a 7.1 H/T set-up in a 12' x 9' room. You have to go out of the room to change your mind on which DVD to watch!