This is my newly finished room as of 5/28/14. It is an expansion of my previous dedicated room built around 18 years ago. Had I known more about acoustics back then I would have built the room a bit differently. However, my new remodeling and expansion project has allowed me to improve greatly upon that first design, with what I have learned over the years. I do not have infinite funds and need to weigh my decisions with everything carefully. You will not see the best of the best here in either design or gear, but I feel wise decisions and a bit of restraint have allowed me to reach some pretty lofty goals so far.
I believe that the room is one of if not the most important components to a system. Considering that and the cost of so much in this hobby, the price to create this room was a real bargain. The room is approximately 21 x 25 x 11 (at the cathedral peak) and is treated with mostly broadband absorption. The cathedral ceiling was part of the original design and I have been able to make that work for me quite well. I often read that they are a bad idea and possibly they are if left reflective. However, mine allows a nice illusion of space to be created, both visually and aurally that I would miss if taken away.
My goal has always been to create a virtual soundstage of realistic scale, both large and small. Many larger systems can do big quite well, but have trouble with small creating images of solo voices and instruments much larger than reality. This system does not do that. For me the best sound means to get the best from prerecorded material. I want the illusion of either being transported to the event, or having it brought to me.
Lately I have been able to make my own high resolution recordings and enjoy them on my system. The ability to be in the same space that recordings are made is a great help in determining how ones system is performing.
The artwork around the room is all of a similar theme. It is one of Science Fiction mixed with Fantasy and Magic. I feel this suits me, because I see the creation of that virtual soundstage as indeed something truly magical when done right.
