Journey from Room to Home Theater with DIY Acoustics

[vinay]

Indeed Alok and some others have done a great job, i salute them.

But sadly there were very few members to help during the making in spite of this thread being at right place under acoustics, there by making it impossible for regulars to miss the thread/s.

It is very true that a DIY is much better route for making such marvelous entertainment rooms. A lot of extra ordinary patience and planning is required to get it right by mentioning every detail on the forum before a step is taken to avoid a wrong planning etc.

V.

Alokala,


Great job.

I missed this thread totally. But I am glad went thru it today in detail. DIY way is very in expensive and possibly the best way, with wealth of knowledge being shared among the internet community as well as in this forum it not so difficult to get done with.

Thanks
pandu

 

[samratsarkar]

Hi,
A big thanks to All friends for sharing various details on "Home Theater DIY Acoustics".

I am also in a same line to design similar Acoustics Room.. But before serious planning I need to know some feasibility factors. .

I planned to have The Theater Room on Roof top as there is no space on my 1st/2nd floor... so only option left is to get it done in the roof top. I dont have permission from Municipality to make RCC ceiling but can have 10" thick walls for my room.

Now let me know if Acoustic Room can me done without RCC ceiling.

I have options to have false ceiling only. Pls advise if similar acoustics can be made or I need to discard the Project.

Other than RCC any type ceiling is permitted ( wooden/ asbestors/clay tiles etc.. etc)

Pls advise.

Indeed Alok and some others have done a great job, i salute them.

But sadly there were very few members to help during the making in spite of this thread being at right place under acoustics, there by making it impossible for regulars to miss the thread/s.

It is very true that a DIY is much better route for making such marvelous entertainment rooms. A lot of extra ordinary patience and planning is required to get it right by mentioning every detail on the forum before a step is taken to avoid a wrong planning etc.

V.

 

[manoj.p]

You can use clay tiles as roof. Then inside, build a wood frame or aluminum frame structure, about 10" below the tiles. Put fiberglass insulation/rockwool bats in the frames and fill up the entire ceiling with it. You can use 6" thick insulation/rockwool and leave a gap of 4" between the tiles and insulation. Cover the bottom of the frame with acoustic transparent cloth, of choice of color. So, from inside the room, you see a nice ceiling like theaters. You can even do different patterns with clothes.

With 6" insulation and 4" gap, it will act like a 10" absorber. It will absorb everything, so acoustically will be perfect.

 

[aloklala]

Manoj's suggestion is very appropriate. 4-6" insulation is mandatory in this case to keep away sound from outside.

 

[samratsarkar]

Thank you friends for your valuable advice.. Your plan gave a new life to my plan.

My plan is to have arround 200-250 sqft room size dedicated for HT room. Can you pls suggest approx budget for per / sq ft considering similar quality materials available in local market. Budget required only for room/ceiling treatment excluding AC/sofa/HT/lighting/wiring etc.. I am looking for mid budget category design not too expensive nor to cheap...

Manoj's suggestion is very appropriate. 4-6" insulation is mandatory in this case to keep away sound from outside.

 

[vinay]

Samratsarkar,

It will be great that you are allotting nearly 250 sq ft for entertainment room, that shows your seriousness in trying to achieve a marvel. The length etc of the room will be how much?

The roof top or basement is a good idea or for that matter any place which in-directly isolates from the main house area is also good. There are a few members who have done their room in such areas.

If your seriousness grows then you can consider to open your own separate thread.

V.

 

[samratsarkar]

Hi Vinay,

Thank you for your advice. My planning for DIY Acoustic Room is in a very initial phase. Yeah for me Roof top is the only option other wise I need to purchase another flat and dedicate a Room for Entertainment purpose.. which is not possible right now...

My roof top plot is more in length than its width.. so naturally the room will be having more in length compared to its width. Initial Plan was made to have a single room on rooftop but... spouse factor comes in .. and need to have with a seperate Bed room too on rooftop . So need to compromise on the Acoustic room dimensions. So new dimensions are as follows -

Length - 20 ft
Width - 10 ft
Hieght - ?? let me know on this parameter.

Presently I am in Assam and can collect some good Wood for making up this room. What wood you suggest for making the frames? Shagun/ Sal ( hard wood) can be collected.

Can you suggest me any link for making the ceiling as i am concerned for not having RCC type.

Outer look of the design will be similar to Assam House. but not yet finalised.

http://www.hotproperty.in/images/site2/forsale01.jpg


Rgds,
Samrat

Samratsarkar,

It will be great that you are allotting nearly 250 sq ft for entertainment room, that shows your seriousness in trying to achieve a marvel. The length etc of the room will be how much?

The roof top or basement is a good idea or for that matter any place which in-directly isolates from the main house area is also good. There are a few members who have done their room in such areas.

If your seriousness grows then you can consider to open your own separate thread.

V.

 

[manoj.p]

Can you get treated wood, so it would prevent termites? I am having a second thoughts after seeing your location. If the weather in Kolkata is humid as in Mumbai, then termites could be a problem over time. Would not want to have a wood structure on ceiling in that case.

Better stick with aluminum or steel frames instead.

Room is bit narrow at 10 ft, but its alright. see if you can accommodate little more width by changing the layout.

 

[cmsajith]

Hi Vinay,

Thank you for your advice. My planning for DIY Acoustic Room is in a very initial phase. Yeah for me Roof top is the only option other wise I need to purchase another flat and dedicate a Room for Entertainment purpose.. which is not possible right now...

My roof top plot is more in length than its width.. so naturally the room will be having more in length compared to its width. Initial Plan was made to have a single room on rooftop but... spouse factor comes in .. and need to have with a seperate Bed room too on rooftop . So need to compromise on the Acoustic room dimensions. So new dimensions are as follows -

Length - 20 ft
Width - 10 ft
Hieght - ?? let me know on this parameter.

Presently I am in Assam and can collect some good Wood for making up this room. What wood you suggest for making the frames? Shagun/ Sal ( hard wood) can be collected.

Can you suggest me any link for making the ceiling as i am concerned for not having RCC type.

Outer look of the design will be similar to Assam House. but not yet finalised.

http://www.hotproperty.in/images/site2/forsale01.jpg


Rgds,
Samrat

please post your floorplan for the entire floor, will try to rearrange. Since you are starting this from scratch I suggest you make it as per a golden ratio (or nearby atleast) which will help you while doing the internal acoustics. Are you planning for sound proofing along with the internal acoustics?

BTW, I suggest you start a new thread.

 

[vinay]

Samrat,

It will be great to have a theatre at the roof top.

I think it would be great if you had more of room length especially if more seating is required while length has it's more benefits & width too a little more is required, if the height is less then i assume all the more better.

Please keep writing about your ideas, doubts etc.

In 2 cases i have seen that they have a spare guest room but are reluctant to convert in a private theatre because they say where will the guests stay even though they do not have more then 3 of such visits in a year and moreover they are earning money for their beterness therefore should not worry about guests etc, ideally i think a spare room should be put to a better use.

V.

Hi Vinay,

Thank you for your advice. My planning for DIY Acoustic Room is in a very initial phase. Yeah for me Roof top is the only option other wise I need to purchase another flat and dedicate a Room for Entertainment purpose.. which is not possible right now...

My roof top plot is more in length than its width.. so naturally the room will be having more in length compared to its width. Initial Plan was made to have a single room on rooftop but... spouse factor comes in .. and need to have with a seperate Bed room too on rooftop . So need to compromise on the Acoustic room dimensions. So new dimensions are as follows -

Length - 20 ft
Width - 10 ft
Hieght - ?? let me know on this parameter.
Rgds,
Samrat

 

[samratsarkar]

Hi friends,
Sorry for the delay.. I was out of town.. office work..

I have lots of idea just spinning back of my mind as this project will be from scratch..... I have made a draft point wise and will give it here soon.

rgds,
Samrat

Samrat,

It will be great to have a theatre at the roof top.

I think it would be great if you had more of room length especially if more seating is required while length has it's more benefits & width too a little more is required, if the height is less then i assume all the more better.

Please keep writing about your ideas, doubts etc.

In 2 cases i have seen that they have a spare guest room but are reluctant to convert in a private theatre because they say where will the guests stay even though they do not have more then 3 of such visits in a year and moreover they are earning money for their beterness therefore should not worry about guests etc, ideally i think a spare room should be put to a better use.

V.

 

[vinay]

Samrat,

It is always very good to have several ideas and have it systematically sorted out, for this there can be no place better then a forum because taking a individuals help can never be up to the mark.

Will look forward to your points.

V.

 

[Oakley]

WoW, cool room, lot of hard work involved.

From what I see from the pix, your entire room is stuffed with GW. Which makes the room dead. There are no qrd's or poly's in the room, which are essential.what was that huge roll of styro foam doing on floor?

Technically music or movies will not sound good at all.

It's a shabby acoustic work from your consultant.full immature, unprofessional work from his side.he has conned you about acoustics by insulating the whole room with GW as in cold storage.

You should not pay him his charges, until he corrects the room.

My advice as an engineer.

You can prove me wrong

Oak

 

[Oakley]

Samrat,

It is always very good to have several ideas and have it systematically sorted out, for this there can be no place better then a forum because taking a individuals help can never be up to the mark.

Will look forward to your points.

V.

Mr Vinay.

How strange a well learnt person like you quoting above words.

You meant to say that, there are no pro acousticians who know their job.

This is big insult for acoustic profession.

You mean to say, friends on this forum and their inputs will make a great acoustically transparent room, rather than a pro handling the job.

It's like saying that ok I have taken tips from various doctors now I can perform my own heart surgery.DIY doctor, why people don't follow this route?

This room project looks like a cold storage rather than a ht room.

Iam a structural engineer, hence I know a little bit on subject of acoustics.

Pls do give respect to people in their profession.

Oak

 

[vinay]

Oak,

I do not think i am a well learnt person and to think so will be wrong on my part. I am hear to learn more and more so that i can share my view points in detail with fellow members.

My point is that on forums there are several members who have good knowledge be it the acoustics or making of a private theatre therefore one will get several opinions, ideas etc for short listing and not to forget many of them prefer a DIY route especially when it is not a rocket science. There has been several times when i am asked by private message for a suggestion and i always say that open a thread because that way you will get several opinions.

It is not fair when you say the room looks like a cold storage keeping in mind that it was covered by 5 magazines and by the leading publication "Times Of India". On the other hand there have been so many member's including the Super Moderator who have complimented me on my Mini Theatre. Indeed there could be some mistakes which i did therefore i keep suggesting others to handle the making of a room more better but the irony is when we keep hearing about the mistakes done by some professionals due to lesser knowledge or be it the vested interest.

You are right that one can not do a DIY with surgery etc but where ever it is possible one can consider a DIY, no wonder there are forums mainly for DIY. In other words there is strong section of people who do not prefer to hire a professional for known reasons and prefer to take a DIY route.

To sum it up there are too many cases on this forum where a DIY route has been extra ordinarily successful, please do take time and read those threads.

Thank you.

V.

 

[Oakley]

Oak,



It is not fair when you say the room looks like a cold storage keeping in mind that it was covered by 5 magazines and by the leading publication "Times Of India". On the other hand there have been so many member's including the Super Moderator who have complimented me on my Mini Theatre. Indeed there could be some mistakes which i did therefore i keep suggesting others to handle the making of a room more better but the irony is when we keep hearing about the mistakes done by some professionals due to lesser knowledge or be it the vested interest.


V.

Wow..woW, man you are completely mistaking me.what ever I commented was on the OP HT room. Just wait brb:sad:

Am back Just checked your signature room, equally another cold storage:indifferent14:

In your room where are the bass band absorbers? Mind, it is not bass traps they both are different.

You are proud because it was covered by magazines and newspapers, media only knows to drool about things, do they know what art of acoustics is?
They only hear sound roaring so called coloured sub-w, can they distinguish between different frequencies.

Just because super moderator complimented your room doesn't make it a perfect acoustically transparent, may be his compliment was to general context of room.when we talk home theatre, main area of concentration is acoustic environment not aesthetics which is secondary.

DIY will not perfect things, but will eliminate costs.perfection can only be achieved by a specialist.

There is man for every job.

On finale note to be more precise critic compliment, your room looks like yet another cold storage.:sad::sad::sad:

 

[santhosh]

Has anyone met Oakley? IMO, he is a troll.

DIY will not perfect things, but will eliminate costs.perfection can only be achieved by a specialist.

There is man for every job.

Wonder why you have so much disregard for DIY?!

So Oakley, you are a specialist (the man for every job...lol)?

Or can you recommend a specialist who does not use thermo-acoustic insulation?

 

[srinisundar]

Wow..woW, man you are completely mistaking me.what ever I commented was on the OP HT room. Just wait brb:sad:

Am back Just checked your signature room, equally another cold storage:indifferent14:

In your room where are the bass band absorbers? Mind, it is not bass traps they both are different.

You are proud because it was covered by magazines and newspapers, media only knows to drool about things, do they know what art of acoustics is?
They only hear sound roaring so called coloured sub-w, can they distinguish between different frequencies.

Just because super moderator complimented your room doesn't make it a perfect acoustically transparent, may be his compliment was to general context of room.when we talk home theatre, main area of concentration is acoustic environment not aesthetics which is secondary.

DIY will not perfect things, but will eliminate costs.perfection can only be achieved by a specialist.

There is man for every job.

On finale note to be more precise critic compliment, your room looks like yet another cold storage.:sad::sad::sad:

Looks like you are sounding pro, so you could not tolerate the mistakes. DIY is the thing where we learn only by doing mistakes. So you have to appreciate that by doing mistake DIY guy is an example not to go in that way if it fails..

You know cold storage making is more expensive than doing an HT room

 

[srinisundar]

Oak,

It is not fair when you say the room looks like a cold storage keeping in mind that it was covered by 5 magazines and by the leading publication "Times Of India". On the other hand there have been so many member's including the Super Moderator who have complimented me on my Mini Theatre. Indeed there could be some mistakes which i did therefore i keep suggesting others to handle the making of a room more better but the irony is when we keep hearing about the mistakes done by some professionals due to lesser knowledge or be it the vested interest.

Hehe, yourself fell apart.. He quoted only the OP room, but I think he has opinion for all the rooms except his room

 

[Oakley]

Has anyone met Oakley? IMO, he is a troll.

Have I met you kind sir?

I can assume

"IMO, you are also troll."

Oak.