A question for HT in basement

[Rebel6666]

HI all, I would like to say thanks to all the members in advance for trying to help me.

Within a month I will be finishing my basement home, I'm making a room espacially for my HT. Here is more information:

Dimensions 14.2 * 14.2 square room is a 10 feet high.

I'm going to buy when my room is done a Panny 4000 projector
I have a AV Pionneer 9130 THXK that will be pushing my Energy C-series set.

Front: 2 C-500
Center: 1 C-100
Sub: S10.3
Surround : 4 C-100.

Now my questions is: Do I really need to build a fake floor? My friend is saying that I should because I won't feel the vibrations. I was going to have laminted wood as a floor directly on the cement.

Now I ask this cause I don't want to pay 600$ more for somthing that isn't really important for me. If I can feel the vibration a bit that would be enough for me. If I compare with my friends HT I feel like he as too much vibrations and feels like the sound ain't that good because of it.

What would you guy's suggest to a guy you is really confused on what is the best thing to do.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Rebel6666

HI all, I would like to say thanks to all the members in advance for trying to help me.

Within a month I will be finishing my basement home, I'm making a room espacially for my HT. Here is more information:

Dimensions 14.2 * 14.2 square room is a 10 feet high.

I'm going to buy when my room is done a Panny 4000 projector
I have a AV Pionneer 9130 THXK that will be pushing my Energy C-series set.

Front: 2 C-500
Center: 1 C-100
Sub: S10.3
Surround : 4 C-100.

Now my questions is: Do I really need to build a fake floor? My friend is saying that I should because I won't feel the vibrations. I was going to have laminted wood as a floor directly on the cement.

Now I ask this cause I don't want to pay 600$ more for somthing that isn't really important for me. If I can feel the vibration a bit that would be enough for me. If I compare with my friends HT I feel like he as too much vibrations and feels like the sound ain't that good because of it.

What would you guy's suggest to a guy you is really confused on what is the best thing to do.

What kind of vibrations are you looking for? Is is something you want only from loud explosions and real low LFE scenes that you can really feel or something more subtle, but is much more frequent?

Regardless, it seems it isn't that imporant to you, so I would not worry about it. If you do want some additional "vibrations", then why not look to improve your low end with an even better sub that can get below 20Hz and has more than 200 watts of cotinuous power than the Energy S10.3? The sub you have is very good, don't get me wrong, as I'm not trying to put it down, but possibly an even better sub may give you not only improved low frequency response but some of the improved "vibrations" as well. Just my 2 cents I'm throwing out there..........

[Blown 4.3]

the first thing you need to do is find out just what can be proprerly installed on your slab.
which includes the condition of the slab.

btw. laminate flooring is pretty much junk.

go here and look/read. that are a few HT guys in there.
http://forum.doityourself.com/

[tilallr1]

Let me start off by saying there are mixed reviews with building a sub-floor. But typically the acoustical issues associated with hard flooring vs carpeting are numerous. You need to reduce reflections and carpeting is the way to go. Building a sub floor is really only good for insulating the room, but doesn't really do too much for sound. I know since I did that on my first house's HT with Laminate flooring and decided to go the cheaper route and went carpeting over slab on my second HT. Much better sound IMO. Way too much echo with hard flooring, which you can basically never properly fix. My suggestion is to go carpeting right over the slab. Just get the best underpad money can buy and you will be much happier with the sound.

Also, the dimensions of your room (A square) are unfortunately the worst you can make it. Anything you can do to make it rectangular? A home theater space should be similar to that of a movie theater: an enclosed, rectangular room. Shape influences how sound bounces around the room so a perfectly square room or a room that's twice as long as it's wide can produce "muddy" sound patterns. The perfect room? About one-and-a half times as long as it is wide. And it should be enclosed for the best sound quality since wide-open rooms don't have ideal acoustics.

Ultimately, if you are trying to feel the LFE (Bass) I would suggest investing in a more powerful sub or better yet butt-kickers. Which will give you the kick, without rattling the walls. Most people think that its the single greatest addition to their HT.

[Agrare]

Originally Posted by Rebel6666

Dimensions 14.2 * 14.2 square room is a 10 feet high.

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Let me start off by saying there are mixed reviews with building a sub-floor. But typically the acoustical issues associated with hard flooring vs carpeting are numerous. You need to reduce reflections and carpeting is the way to go. Building a sub floor is really only good for insulating the room, but doesn't really do too much for sound. I know since I did that on my first house's HT with Laminate flooring and decided to go the cheaper route and went carpeting over slab on my second HT. Much better sound IMO. Way too much echo with hard flooring, which you can basically never properly fix. My suggestion is to go carpeting right over the slab. Just get the best underpad money can buy and you will be much happier with the sound.

Also, the dimensions of your room (A square) are unfortunately the worst you can make it. Anything you can do to make it rectangular? A home theater space should be similar to that of a movie theater: an enclosed, rectangular room. Shape influences how sound bounces around the room so a perfectly square room or a room that's twice as long as it's wide can produce "muddy" sound patterns. The perfect room? About one-and-a half times as long as it is wide. And it should be enclosed for the best sound quality since wide-open rooms don't have ideal acoustics.

I don't have near the knowledge of some people here but if I was finishing a basement for a home theater I'd definitely go carpet. Not only would it help with reflections but it would be so much more comfortable. Nice thick padding under a soft carpet. Also, not sure if I'd put a sub floor down, would probably depend on the conditions of the slab. I'd look into if it was needed for putting carpet down and from the sound of it it doesn't seem like it would be.

I also agree on room size. I did some searching when I was looking into a theater for ideal dimensions (someone here had stated proper length\width based on height available (that's generally your limiting factor) and I found this site http://www.cinemasource.com/articles...des/modes.html

that actually gives 3 different ratios you can have (the calculator didnt work for me so i wrote a quick program that takes in a height and gives the 3 dimensions) based on your height of 10' that would allow for these 3 room dimensions

L x W x H
A) 15.8 x 11.4 x 10
B) 13.9 x 12.8 x 10
C) 23.3 x 16 x 10

so if you can get a bit more length you can go with A but otherwise B would be your best bet. B would probably also use the most of your 14.2 x 14.2 area. It would also give you room around the sides to build decoupled walls. to help with sound isolation.

-Agrare

[Rebel6666]

OK thanks for the replies guy's,

So if I understand you guy's right it's better to have a room longer than larger and needs to be rectangular. Even if I don't quite undestand why my sound would be better in a rectangular room. So by being sqaure you think thta my sound won't be good?? What can I do if I can't move my room in a more rectangular way will it make a big difference in the quality of the sound?


2- Carpet? so if I put carpet with a decent undercarpet I should still feel the little bass? Yes butt kickers I will buy.

[D_M]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Ultimately, if you are trying to feel the LFE (Bass) I would suggest investing in a more powerful sub or better yet butt-kickers. Which will give you the kick, without rattling the walls. Most people think that its the single greatest addition to their HT.

Amen brother. I just added a Buttkicker LFE kit to my dual SVS Pluses and it was a fantastic addition. I can't recommend it more highly.

[rlf3911]

I wouldnt worry about a sub floor. Def go for some nice carpet and pad though.

[avncars]

What would you guy's suggest to a guy you is really confused on what is the best thing to do.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Rebel6666

HI all, I would like to say thanks to all the members in advance for trying to help me.

Within a month I will be finishing my basement home, I'm making a room espacially for my HT. Here is more information:

Dimensions 14.2 * 14.2 square room is a 10 feet high.

I'm going to buy when my room is done a Panny 4000 projector
I have a AV Pionneer 9130 THXK that will be pushing my Energy C-series set.

Front: 2 C-500
Center: 1 C-100
Sub: S10.3
Surround : 4 C-100.

Now my questions is: Do I really need to build a fake floor? My friend is saying that I should because I won't feel the vibrations. I was going to have laminted wood as a floor directly on the cement.

Now I ask this cause I don't want to pay 600$ more for somthing that isn't really important for me. If I can feel the vibration a bit that would be enough for me. If I compare with my friends HT I feel like he as too much vibrations and feels like the sound ain't that good because of it.

What would you guy's suggest to a guy you is really confused on what is the best thing to do.

hi, i have almost the same exact room as you. first off, No. you do not need a "fake" floor. there is no reason other than throwing your money away. i have a hardwood floor right on top a concrete floor, actually i have the padding in between, and make sure you do the same! now what i do have is a 6" riser across the entire back and it abot 5' deep. if you are planning for a second row, this is an absolute must...good luck!

[HT-Spunj]

My 2 cents....a slab floor is fine. A thick pad and carpet will be nice for a comfortable theater and will provide some absorption.

Square room=Bad ecoustics:

Bass trapping in the corners and absorption panels at first reflection points will go a long way to improving performance. (don't forget the ceiling) Remember the rule of 3rds for seating. Avoid seating in the center of the room or along the back wall....4 feet forward from the back wall should be pretty good in your room.

PS....you will absolutely "FEEL" the bass providing proper setup and a capable system. SP waves travel in the air, and that air is what will shake your butt in your chair