Bulding a Home Theater (Dimensions advice)

[Longhorn John]

Ok, I am looking at new construction of a dedicated HT room and here are basically my two options:<BR><BR>10 ft ceiling, 12''6" width, and 25'' depth (think rectangle)<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>10 ft ceiling, 20'' width, and 25'' depth (think squarish)<BR><BR>What would you recommend and why.<BR><BR>For equipment, I am debating between 55" plasma, 60" rear LCD, or projector. There will be Paradigm C2, A52, and A23 (unless I throw money to the wind and go C1, A 51, A 21)and a 7.1 speaker set up. Testing between the following set ups: Paradigm Studio 100 F, CC 570 C, ADP470 S, S40 R, and Servo 15 SW; B&W 703 F, HTM 7 C, DS7 S, 705 R, and ASW 750 SW; or Klipsch RF7 F, RC7 C, RS7 S, RB75 R, and RSW 15 SW. Now I haven''t done expensive listening tests and the Klipsch are kind of leading the way because I can get them at half off retail through a friend that works there.<BR><BR>Any thoughts/opinions/recommendations are appreciated.

[crazyoldfart]

<BR>
<DIV>The first dimension is superior because none of the distances are a perfect multiple of each other. The second size has a length that is exactly twice as long as the height, which is bad. </DIV>

[crazyoldfart]

<BR>
<DIV>I just realized the&nbsp;width is exactly&nbsp;half the distance as the length in the first plan, so I am at a crossroad. The longer size is certainly better, but if you could swing changing the 12.5' to 15' or 16', that would be really good. </DIV>

[Longhorn John]

Thanks COF. I knew I could rely on you. You are everywhere. I was hoping and thinking the first set up would work the best. It's less exensive which allows for more money into the equipment. Just don't tell my wife.

[HAL 9000]

However the first room has a width and length that are almost (by an inch) a 2:1 multiple. Bad too.

[crazyoldfart]

<BR>
<DIV>The&nbsp;typical ideal ratios are as follow:</DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.14 : 1.39</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.26 : 1.59</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.28 : 1.54</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.30 : 1.90</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.40 : 1.90</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.50&nbsp;: 2.10</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.50 : 2.50</DIV><BR>
<DIV>1 : 1.60 : 2.33</DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>Simply multiply these by 10 and you've got several ideal shapes. </DIV>

[Longhorn John]

What would you recommend for an "ideal" dimension on this room keeping the fact that we have 10' ceilings? I'd prefer the rectangle shape and maybe my builder could be somewhat flexible.

[HAL 9000]

Check this out:<BR><BR>http://www.cinemasource.com/articles/room_modes/modes.html

[frostbyte]

Using the magical numbers and a set 10' ceiling you would get the following:<BR><BR>1: 1.30 :1.90 10'*13'*19'<BR>1: 1.40 :1.90 10'*14'*19'<BR>1: 1.50 :2.10 10'*15'*21'<BR>1: 1.50 :2.50 10'*15'*25'<BR>1: 1.60 :2.33 10'*16'*23'3"<BR><BR>I'm not sure where you got the numbers you first gave us, but if it can be changed I would. You wouldn't have to change this drastically since you would loose lots of space, but keep away from the multiples.

[Longhorn John]

The original numbers came from the builder. I will suggest that we go 10' x 15' x 25 as that would appear to work well within the formulas you guys suggest. Thanks agin for your help.

COF/IG of all those room sizes which would be the best if you were to build the room from scratch? or does each have there advantages/disadvantages?

[IrritateGuy]

<BR>
<DIV>I would have no wall length less that the height or less than 12 feet.&nbsp; Otherwise, all of those ratios are equally good in my mind. </DIV>

Hey IG/COF,<BR><BR>What about 8x13x15 (hight, width, length)? With the fronts firing from the longest side of the wall?