Audiophile listening rooms

[Swisstrips]

I was just discussing with the wife this weekend it might be time to put some art on the walls down in the music room. We purposely designed the space with a mono-chromatic color scheme so future art choices would "pop." But the forest out the window between the speakers serves as pretty damn good art! I have a few hanging sculptures I am considering, and an artist up in the San Juan Islands we've considered commissioning a piece with. (Of course, the new REF 160M amps might be considered works of art art -- so when those arrive the look will change a little! Might also explain why some rooms are sparse as $$ for gear, music, and upgrades trumps $$ for art.)

@Bobvin I followed the build (AS, WBF?) of your room and is one of my favs. Just a fantastic space and gear. You should share the link. The colors, design, acoustic treatments, wine cellar etc.. really well executed.

There are too many great rooms to keep track of and the dedicated spaces like Mike L's are of course killer, definitely my kind of space. Maybe not to the OP's taste, but I don't see too many doom and gloomy rooms? Quite the opposite. Certainly a subjective / architectural taste. Mike's space is another fantastic space as well.

It takes a shit load of planning, time and $ to execute a dedicated space properly and those that can, are extremely lucky. Most people are using a shared / mixed family space which can provide excellent results with proper execution and setup.

 

[Rscotth]

Thanks for your kind words. My dealer and I designed the room.

All the rooms so far have been amazing but to me aesthetically this is the best room I have seen to date even though there is minimal artwork or plants. Did you have a decorator or acoustician design this room?

 

[Bobvin]

I chose a monochromatic room with blank walls. all of the acoustic treatment are floor to ceiling. For me, my preferance is nothing extra as a distraction away from the music.

Nice space heaters Brad! Too bad you live in Florida... those are perfect amps for Anchorage

 

[Bobvin]

I used a family room that was never used and transformed this into my primary get away room and also to have family and friends spend some time listing to music, watching movie and also having fun! The room has dedicated 20 amp power, Furutech outlets and Control 4 on everything but my 2 Channel with Vicoustic panels in the wall making a difference.

Recently I changed the lights to LED to address the heat from the amps and people, it helped with the heat but does make things look artificial like. The room is air air-conditioned on a multi zoned system. There is extensive solid cherry crown, wanes coating and cabinets with its own mini-bar, counter and sink.

With no windows, it feels like Vegas coming out of the Casinos at dawn in my younger years.

There are two systems: reference and theater. The reference system sounds really good and detailed under my name. The foundation has been addressed, along with audio network switch. Truthfully, I don’t watch all that much and for what I have it works and have no plans upgrading the Integra, Focal, and Vienna Acoustic setup. The JL 112v2 Subwoofer is on the theater. All cabling is Nordost, Mechanical Stillpoints under the amp and center channel. HRS Nimbus under the Focal which did make a difference.

I realize while acoustically treated, there are still reflection points and plan on trying Stillpoint apertures above the couch over the Vicoustic which they drawn up for me.

Anyway, Happy Listening to All!

Very nice setup, tastefully done. I'm sure the WAF is fairly high in your space.

I had included in my original plans to do something similar in the back of my room as you have done in the front, with the shelves, cabinets, etc. But when I got the bid I chose the back of the room would be "ala cart". Damn home improvement projects have bills of materials and punch lists that can grow exponentially. At some point you have to say no!

 

[Bobvin]

Ok

That is one hell of a list of components, and I'll bet those Sonus Faber's sing with grace and ease. Really nice room as well!

 

[brad225]

Thanks Bob, funny you should say that. We were in Alaska for 3 weeks in June and at times I would have wrapped my arms around one.

The heat was an issue previously. I would need to turn the main house AC to 71 deg. Penguins would take up residence in the living room.

Last fall we finished a master bedroom addition next to my listening room and itallowed a shared AC system. I now have a separate zone and thermostat that works wonderfully.

 

[Mrppv]

Although my house generally is uncluttered and rather minimal, I do have a lot of art on the walls. The listening room has a higher concentration, so it's not one of those sterile rooms the OP was talking about.

All of the work on the wall behind the equipment was done by my wife. There's no glass involved, so the art shouldn't increase reflections. Some of the pieces are fabric, so it may actually help. On the side walls I hung the long plaid weavings at the point of first reflection (yes, something wider would work better). On the sides are also a Shepard Fairey print, a screened band poster, and one of mine from years ago.

Along the right wall, I do have a collection of Ultraman villain figures. Above the toys is a painting by a friend.

 

[petek]

Arty and tasteful room!

 

[Randy Myers]

Since I spend a lot of time in my "Loft Library", and I enjoy art, I try to mix it up. Some art, music, books, etc

 

[Jim Smith]

FWIW - Although your room truly looks great, I can tell from your images that there is entirely another level of immersive musical involvement & emotional response to your music that you could be experiencing - without changing components or spending money on room treatments - or hiring a set-up guy either...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[audio.bill]

FWIW - Although your room truly looks great, I can tell from your images that there is entirely another level of immersive musical involvement & emotional response to your music that you could be experiencing - without changing components or spending money on room treatments - or hiring a set-up guy either...

Jim - It would be helpful to know if your comment is specific to one system shown above or in general to these setups, and would be of much more value if you could share some further details of what specifically you have in mind. I normally wouldn't ask since I realize it's part of your business, but since you stated "without hiring a set-up guy" I thought you might be willing to do so. TIA for sharing your valuable insight with AS forum members!

 

[nc42acc]

Great space Randy! I really like your new equipment rack setup.

 

[Randy Myers]

FWIW - Although your room truly looks great, I can tell from your images that there is entirely another level of immersive musical involvement & emotional response to your music that you could be experiencing - without changing components or spending money on room treatments - or hiring a set-up guy either...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Jim,

I would love to know what came to your mind when reviewing my photos. I also understand this is your business, therefore I would not want to ask more than a quick opinion. I am sure you know that I always very much appreciate and value others opinions and inputs .

Randy

 

[nicoff]

I would be willing interested to hear what Jim has to say also.

 

[Jim Smith]

Jim - It would be helpful to know if your comment is specific to one system shown above or in general to these setups, and would be of much more value if you could share some further details of what specifically you have in mind. I normally wouldn't ask since I realize it's part of your business, but since you stated "without hiring a set-up guy" I thought you might be willing to do so. TIA for sharing your valuable insight with AS forum members!

I actually see issues that restrict - often dramatically - the system's ultimate potential in almost every system image that I see here and on other forums. The exception might be Mike Lavigne's set-up, though without hearing it, I couldn't state it for certain. Even though he has fabulous equipment, IMO, it's not nearly as much about the equipment as it is how it works with (rather than against) the room.

Mike Bovaird's set-up requirements are quite different, as he has multiple systems on hand to demo. Even so, of the many dealers I've visited, going way back to when I worked in Sales & Marketing at ARC, and then National Sales Mgr. at Magnepan, etc., Mike's set-ups are among the best - if not THE best - store demos I've heard. When I say best, I mean in the realm of musical involvement, not some technically-excellent-but-musically-boring set-up.

I replied privately to Randy. There was enough to discuss (not really negative, just some insights) that I recommended to him that it'd be much more efficient if we first communicated via e-mail, and then via a brief phone call to cover the info supplied. As with most installations, some straightforward - often free - steps can be taken to lift the system's performance to a higher realm of musical involvement.

So my reply here is that each set-up has issues, and one public reply to the owner - even if it was OK to do so - does not necessarily apply across the board to others. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have made the post. Interestingly, it was a system shown and positively commented upon earlier in the thread that got my attention re publicly mentioning these issues, but Randy's was there when I thought of actually commenting.

FWIW - this is one of the reasons that I created the (relatively) affordable one-on-one StraightTalk sessions:

http://getbettersound.com/st.html

Thanks for your question - sorry that I couldn't answer it here.

 

[nicoff]

I actually see issues that restrict - often dramatically - the system's ultimate potential in almost every system image that I see here and on other forums. The exception might be Mike Lavigne's set-up, though without hearing it, I couldn't state it for certain. Even though he has fabulous equipment, IMO, it's not nearly as much about the equipment as it is how it works with (rather than against) the room.

Mike Bovaird's set-up requirements are quite different, as he has multiple systems on hand to demo. Even so, of the many dealers I've visited, going way back to when I worked in Sales & Marketing at ARC, and then National Sales Mgr. at Magnepan, etc., Mike's set-ups are among the best - if not THE best - store demos I've heard. When I say best, I mean in the realm of musical involvement, not some technically-excellent-but-musically-boring set-up.

I replied privately to Randy. There was enough to discuss (not really negative, just some insights) that I recommended to him that it'd be much more efficient if we first communicated via e-mail, and then via a brief phone call to cover the info supplied. As with most installations, some straightforward - often free - steps can be taken to lift the system's performance to a higher realm of musical involvement.

So my reply here is that each set-up has issues, and one public reply to the owner - even if it was OK to do so - does not necessarily apply across the board to others. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have made the post. Interestingly, it was a system shown and positively commented upon earlier in the thread that got my attention re publicly mentioning these issues, but Randy's was there when I thought of actually commenting.

FWIW - this is one of the reasons that I created the (relatively) affordable one-on-one StraightTalk sessions:

http://getbettersound.com/st.html

Thanks for your question - sorry that I couldn't answer it here.

Very thorough and understandable response.
I am sure that Randy will be happy too.

 

[Randy Myers]

I appreciate all of the insight, opinions, and suggestions that I have received from everyone since jumping back into this crazy hobby. Getting thoughts and opinions from someone as experienced, and with the renowned reputation that Jim has is simply fantastic.

You guys are always great! I could not ask for better input then what you all have given me ...

Thank you to all AS members ...

 

[PeterA]

Have you noticed when you see pictures of fellow audiophiles sound rooms they are usually devoid of wall art, reasonable furniture, knick knacks and such? Most of the time I see an equipment rack and maybe some sound deadening panels or devices. Very spartan and stark to say the least. Is this because these are typically our "man caves" that the wife or significant other have no entry or say? I am not bashing this look just wondering why we never see our rooms decorated like the elaborate rooms in the audio equipment advertisements of what we typically buy. Maybe we spent all our dead presidents on the equipment and have none left for the fluff. Things that make you go hhhhmmmm.

Here are two photos of my formal living room in an 18th century colonial house. My goal is to get the compressor for the Vibraplanes into the basement as well as perhaps the amps and stands and then run all cabling through the floor. My wife is a saint for tolerating the intrusion of the stereo system.

 

[Randy Myers]

I had a very nice conversation with Jim. Very knowledgeable indeed. I highly recommend anyone to have a Straight Talk session with Jim, or at the very least get his book. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

I have completely reconfigured my room, and then again with some compromises with my wife. Sounds much better, but still have considerable more fine tuning to do after reading Jim's book.

 

[a.wayne]

Here are two photos of my formal living room in an 18th century colonial house. My goal is to get the compressor for the Vibraplanes into the basement as well as perhaps the amps and stands and then run all cabling through the floor. My wife is a saint for tolerating the intrusion of the stereo system.

A big SME fan myself , Nice ......