Small square room

[Andy Senior]

Hi all,

I know a square room isn't ideal, I know a small room isn't ideal. So, what if you only had a 7' 8" x 7' 1" room to use as a project studio at home? Would it be possible to use this room and if so what would be the best way to treat it?

Thanks
Andy

[Khazul]

How high is it?

I guessing its currently flutter echo hell at the moment?

[Andy Senior]

Originally Posted by Khazul

How high is it?

I guessing its currently flutter echo hell at the moment?

It's about 8' high. A mates asked me for advice but i'm useless at stuff like this so trying to find out if it'll be usable. I'm moving into a new place soon that also has a very similar room well away from neighbours, so I wouldn't mind knowing, but luckilly i'll have the option of a second double bedroom that I could use if needed (although this would be right next to my new neighbours). So as you can see both rooms would have pro's & con's. I don't have a lot of gear so fitting everything in wouldn't be a problem, just the actual 'usability' of the room is a concern.

Any help would be very much appreciated from both of us

[TrevCircleStudios]

it's "possible" to treat any room to make an improvement. It'll never be ruler flat/industry standard but you already know that. Start by making sure you are in the best position in trhe room: speakers should fire down the longest length of the room, your listening point (ie head) should be 38%down the length of the room forming an eqilateral traingle with your monitors. Once you've sorted that, begin by treating all possible corners (floor to ceiling/wall to ceiling and wall to floor - the tricorners being the most important) with rockwool (preferably superchunks but at the very least 4-6 inch panels) . Once you have done that treat the wall behind you with 4_6 inch panels., then mirror points (inc on the ceiling).

Make sense?

[Andy Senior]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

it's "possible" to treat any room to make an improvement. It'll never be ruler flat/industry standard but you already know that. Start by making sure you are in the best position in trhe room: speakers should fire down the longest length of the room, your listening point (ie head) should be 38%down the length of the room forming an eqilateral traingle with your monitors. Once you've sorted that, begin by treating all possible corners (floor to ceiling/wall to ceiling and wall to floor - the tricorners being the most important) with rockwool (preferably superchunks but at the very least 4-6 inch panels) . Once you have done that treat the wall behind you with 4_6 inch panels., then mirror points (inc on the ceiling).

Make sense?

It does Trev, thanks.

However, firing down the length of the room and listening position at 38% might be a bit tricky with it being a small square, would the few inches make that much difference? Also, on the rear/front wall would I be best with Absorbtion or Diffusion? Maybe one of each, Diffusion on front and Absorbtion rear?

PS. I'll be downsizing to 5" monitors if I decide i'm going to try this room so there won't be excessive bass (<50Hz) being pumped into the room.

[TrevCircleStudios]

A few inches could make a difference if that leaves you half way along the length of the room. That would be very bad.

With a room that size I'd start with absorption (not foam). It may be that some kind of abfusor on the back wall might work slightly better but you need to aim for a reflection free zone to the front and sides.

EDIT: I just spotted its close to an 8 foot cube. That is gonna be tough. I'd start with Absorption all around and then work on brining back some life perhaps by decorating the room with cds stuck to the absorbers (outside of the rfz of course)

[sureno]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

then work on brining back some life perhaps by decorating the room with cds stuck to the absorbers (outside of the rfz of course)

wtf
you got a picture example of this mate?

flat?

[TrevCircleStudios]

flat. If you kill a room completely with absorption it will begin to sound like an anechoic chamber (which is just weird). In these circumstances you may need to bring life back to the room. A liberal sprinkling of, for example, cds outside the rfz will provide some reflection and therefore liven up the room again.

I dunno, s' just an idea that might look cool...

[sureno]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

flat. If you kill a room completely with absorption it will begin to sound like an anechoic chamber (which is just weird). In these circumstances you may need to bring life back to the room. A liberal sprinkling of, for example, cds outside the rfz will provide some reflection and therefore liven up the room again.

I dunno, s' just an idea that might look cool...

cool, whats the rfz again lol

[TrevCircleStudios]

reflection free zone

[sureno]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

reflection free zone

shweet

[Andy Senior]

Thanks Trev