Be the Judge: The Ultimate Home Theater Room Review Thread

[Todd Anderson]

You are right. In fact with music it can even be pleasant to have a fairly reflective room. It just depends on what is reflecting and how. The way the speakers interact with the room.

Personally I've seen too many theaters with center channels on the floor like that where owners complained of a nasally voice, excessive chestiness, and poor dialogue clarity. It seems like fixing the center or going to a phantom center ways makes those owners happiest.

A guy on another forum posted a similar image and complained of poor sound. Excessive sibilance and poor dialogue clarity. He had an AT screen but his center sat low to the floor. Lots of people have him advice to no avail (most were over thinking the problem). Two of us noted that his first reflection panels sat in the wrong place, too high and too far forward. His L and R speakers were too close to the wall and had no toe. Then the center problem. I gave him some basic advice. Take some measurements using a free room acoustics app called Impulso. To then move his speakers and toe them more. To get the center off the floor. To move his acoustic panels. Sure enough he tried each thing I suggested and listened after each step. He said it made a huge difference. That he couldn't believe how much better it sounded. His impulso measurements also showed a better EDT curve his C50 core was higher after the center was moved for a measure of the center. I then suggested a handful of additional GIK traps to further flatten his RT60 and resolve some bass issues. He then got into REW, his room measures great now, and he sent me multiple thank you messages for how successful these simple tips turned out to be.

Bad rooms can sound good, but often easily be made to sound much better with simple changes.

Wouldn't disagree about the CC placement.

Curious... this guy you're referencing has an AT screen, but also has a CC? Why not just put matching LCR behind the AT Screen?

 

[Todd Anderson]

View attachment 4966
How about this?

I have a hard time believing that's a real room...

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I honestly can't tell with any certainty. I think those curtains could just as easily be made of chenille, velour, or velvet and have that appearance. If that is true it would be highly sound absorptive. I think it might be a good room, just can't tell. The room looks long and narrow, but then so is mine.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Wouldn't disagree about the CC placement.

Curious... this guy you're referencing has an AT screen, but also has a CC? Why not just put matching LCR behind the AT Screen?

Well that's another story. He thought that you were supposed to only use a center channel for center channel duty.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I have a hard time believing that's a real room...

Maybe. I honestly thought it was a real room. If it is a rendering it's pretty good.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You might be right... the more I look at that picture, the more real it looks.

Visually, it gets an A-plus. It sure seems like it would sound rather muted, tho.

 

[Todd Anderson]

 

[tripplej]

That is one unique way to make full use of a triangular room. Those side speakers thou, I am not sure on the position...

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Yeah I think this room is more form than function. It's a nice use of a difficult space, but the lack of a middle seat compromises sound, yet if you have a middle seat you wild have to crawl to your seat. The speakers are not in an ideal location, yet where else would they go. For a nice media room not used for critical listening or watching I think it's fine.

Triangular rooms are acoustically very difficult. Very hard to treat, nearly unpredictable outside of BEM modeling, very problematic reflections that compromise the sound field.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

You might be right... the more I look at that picture, the more real it looks.

Visually, it gets an A-plus. It sure seems like it would sound rather muted, tho.

There is a strong argument made that a theater should be very dead. That the ambience of the room should be artificially created through the processor. This is a view a lot of experts hold for theaters (not music rooms) and is a part of the international home theater acoustic standards.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I think this is the last one I have saved away for reference.

My opinion is that it's a cool space with a nice look. The interior designer or owner did a good job. However I think the space has created some sound quality compromises. It's hard to say but basically that wooden low boy/buffet on the left makes the left and right reflections asymmetric and could be distracting. The speakers are just too close to the walls. I applaud the use of all matched speakers for LR and Surround but question it here. Both the placement and aiming seem off. It is possible this works really well, I've never experienced that approach first hand. It also looks like there is no acoustic treatment. I think the room could be improved with at least some treatment.

I saved this room because I liked how clean and modern it looked. Because it was long and narrow like my room. And because I liked the rows of mid century leather couches. I personally dislike the look of theater seats but can't afford the cooler modern looking options, so this appeals to me.

 

[tripplej]

I do like that room. I agree, it has a very nice clean and modern look. Very impressive layout. I am surprised they have art hanging on the left side but nothing on the right side?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I do like that room. I agree, it has a very nice clean and modern look. Very impressive layout. I am surprised they have art hanging on the left side but nothing on the right side?

It's also very class artwork with a movie motif which I like.

This is certainly a form over function room so I think the artwork is just because of the nooks on that wall.

My room was almost like that due to some ductwork and a stair case I could have an 11' wide room with perfect left right symetry up front and no extra openings or I could have a 13' wide room, but only the front half, not a symetric increase, and I would need to have access panels to get to the water main and sewer. I chose the narrower room.

 

[tripplej]

Yes, form over function.

 

[Todd Anderson]

We haven't kicked this thread around in a while...

What does everyone think of this?

What do you like? What would you change?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

We haven't kicked this thread around in a while...

What does everyone think of this?

What do you like? What would you change?
View attachment 13755

Not my personal favorite. It’s a multipurpose room with a lot going on. Too much stuff and too many compromises.

What would I do differently? Well I get it, some people prefer or are limited to multipurpose rooms and they must accept compromises. I prefer not to, but I’ve been there myself. I would make the colors the same on the side walls. Even if it’s a screen like a Black Diamond, the different colors can cause reflections back on the screen and they won’t be symmetric. While darker is better, at least make them the same color. I would also move that picture to the side of the screen. A super reflective object next to a screen is not a great idea.

Cool looking coffee table but acoustically problematic. Also looks like something I would trip over constantly.

I don’t like speakers inside cabinets unless I have no other option. So while I would do the same thing in a non-dedicated space, I would prefer to use a different speaker that has narrower and more controlled radiation to avoid interaction with the cabinet.

I would add some acoustic treatment. The main thing I would do is cover the front wall where the screen is with 4” of treatment and possibly 6-7” where the speakers are if I could do it.

Other than that I think it’s fine for what it is.

 

[tripplej]

For a limited space, this multipurpose room serves it's purpose to entertain while being functional. Not a dedicated home theater room obviously that would bring peak picture quality and sound but it will do for those who are in need of such a room but can't have it.. Compromises are needed as well as the WAF.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm not quite so sure I like the monitor on one wall and the screen on the other... doesn't make a lot of sense! That said, I'm kind of digging the aesthetics. Looks cozy.

Can't decide if this is an apartment in a city? Or an older home (those arched doorways certainly don't speak to new construction).

I agree with Matt... that Clockwork Orange framed poster needs to be moved. That would total screw with the image on the right side of the screen. BUT... big but, here... this room is clearly designed with form over function in mind!

 

[tripplej]

I see mistake here. Any thoughts?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Other than the fact that the couch – THE primary seating position – is facing the wrong way? No.

 

[tripplej]

lol. Yeah, that seemed very obvious. How the owner failed to see that is amazing to me. lol.

 

[Todd Anderson]

That must be a staged photo for a furniture company?

 

[tripplej]

I hope so but it does look like someone's living room. lol.

 

[tripplej]

One glaring issue here.

Any thoughts?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Those windows.

Other issue... I'm not sitting in there!