Can I get decent acoustics out of this room?

[Cool Mr Steve]

I will be moving into an apartment pretty soon and I would like to set up my speakers in the living room. The problem is that there are large openings to the hallway that leads to the bedroom/bathroom and a huge opening to the kitchen/dining area. I have included a picture of the important parts of the floor plan. Is there any way that I could get decent sound out of this room? An ideal way to place the speakers?

[PewterTA]

In the picture if you set the main speakers up against the left or top wall (when looking at the picture) should give you fine acoustics. It's more depending on which wall that you want things...but it can easily be done.

[Cool Mr Steve]

Setting them up against the top wall was my goal, so I'm probably going to go that route. My big concern was the large opening to the dining area. Are you saying that the opening will not be an issue or will not be a big issue? Thanks for the help, and sorry if it's a dumb question.

[Russ L]

If the top wall has a sliding door opening to a balcony or deck you may want to keep curtains drawn. That may cause problems with the reflections from the rear of the speakers. A normal wall would be more consistent relection wise. The opening to the dining room on the right could cause the right speaker to have different sound concerning both quality and volume. You could turn in the right speaker more or try various placements to compensate. I would probably choose the left wall even though it would mean having your speakers about 7ft apart and thus 7-8ft to the listening position on the other side. Assuming your speakers are 18inchs from front wall to speaker face and your seating position is 2ft from opposite wall. Thus forming a 7ft equilateral triangle (approx). There are many factors that contribute to good room acoustics tho. So experiment, experiment, experiment! -Russ

[Cool Mr Steve]

I really appreciate the input! I'll go ahead and experiment with some of those options. Thanks a lot!

[greenhorn]

I Have A Very Similar Room Configuration

I have a very similar room configuration with a few exceptions the biggest being a fireplace at a 45 degree angle in what is the upper left corner of your picture and french doors (leading to the patio) a quarter way down the left side of the living area. What is exactly the same is a long retangular living room with a open room (kitchen - dining combo) immediate to the right. I think our opening between the 2 is a little smaller. My setup is against the top way starting just to the left of the opening if it were all the way across and going about 2\3's of the way across, stops just short of the hearth.

Sofa is centered about center room centered and there is a rocker just before the opening to the kitchen - dining area.

Sound is decent, only thing is were a little close to the speakers I think, 6' to the rocker and about 8 to the sofa.

The crazy thing is (and why all the info above) is sometimes during a movie if there is an off screen sound like a door knock, door bell, banging around or voice... We all jump because you would swear that someone was in the kitchen, knocked on the kitchen door or something. Kind freaks the dogs out sometimes too. It's crazy, you'd swear the noise came from in the kitchen- dining area. Don't know if it's considered good acoustics or not, but it's kind cool.

[Cool Mr Steve]

I would probably choose the left wall even though it would mean having your speakers about 7ft apart and thus 7-8ft to the listening position on the other side. Assuming your speakers are 18inchs from front wall to speaker face and your seating position is 2ft from opposite wall. Thus forming a 7ft equilateral triangle (approx).

OK, the left wall seems to be the only wall I can work with, so says the boss. So, I drew out some measurements and it looks like the only way I would actually be able to get an equilateral triangle (Assuming that is the goal?) is if I were to place the speakers 9' apart (out 4.5 feet from the center of the TV on each side), have the speaker faces 18" out from the wall and have the listening position be about 2 ft from the opposite wall (probably a hair under that).
Question 1: Is 9 feet too much distance?
Question 2: My speakers are 15 1/2" deep, meaning the back would only be about 2 1/2" from the wall. Is that OK?
Question 3: Will the opening to the dining room cause sound problems in this location?
Question 4: Am I being entirely too anal about this situation?

Thanks again for all the help!

*Edit* The room has vaulted ceilings as well, and I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

[Russ L]

OK, the left wall seems to be the only wall I can work with, so says the boss. So, I drew out some measurements and it looks like the only way I would actually be able to get an equilateral triangle (Assuming that is the goal?) is if I were to place the speakers 9' apart (out 4.5 feet from the center of the TV on each side), have the speaker faces 18" out from the wall and have the listening position be about 2 ft from the opposite wall (probably a hair under that).
Question 1: Is 9 feet too much distance?
Question 2: My speakers are 15 1/2" deep, meaning the back would only be about 2 1/2" from the wall. Is that OK?
Question 3: Will the opening to the dining room cause sound problems in this location?
Question 4: Am I being entirely too anal about this situation?

Thanks again for all the help!


*Edit* The room has vaulted ceilings as well, and I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

1. 9ft between the speakers is fine as long as you get a good sound stage in between your speakers. If not you may have to move them closer. 6ft is the minimum distance between or your central imaging will be poor. 9ft from monitor to seating area is acceptable for viewing if your screen is large enough.
2. Usually 20 inches from the wall to the front of the speakers is good. However, if your speakers are rear ported or have a boomy bottom end you may want them further out.
3. Its always best to have a strictly rectangular room so the reflections are similar on both sides but hey this is the real world and you should be fine.
4. Not yet but don't worry when you are I'll let you know :W Best regards, Russ

Note: My ceilings are sloped and it sounds fine.

[Cool Mr Steve]

Sounds good! Thanks again!