What can be done with windows?

diibadaaba · Apr 13, 2011

Hi all, my first post here.

This is a hypothetical scenario (at least for the moment), but let's say I would be building a new 2-ch listening room from the ground up. Would it be possible to have large windows on the front wall and still achieve good acoustics?

Steve Williams · Apr 13, 2011

What size room?

BTW, I have windows on 2 of the 4 walls of my room. Mine is a heavily treated room and I feel my acoustics for 2 channel is pretty darn good.

Welcome to WBF.

diibadaaba · Apr 13, 2011

About 50 sqm (~-540 square feet) is likely what I will be able to afford. I'm planning a move from city to countryside, and currently renovating my apartment before I will sell it.

So the listening room construction is not a immediate concern, but I've of course been thinking about it and also reading about acoustics. I understand that a bunker-style room is best but I would like to be able to see daylight, trees and whatnot from the listening spot and so the question about windows.

Bruce B · Apr 13, 2011

Large windows behind speakers are not problem (unless the speakers are bi/dipolar). That being said, I have a large window behind my speakers, but I had Snap-tex build framed OC703 removable inserts that fit snugly into the window. I also have plantation shutters over the window as well so I can alter the acoustics as needed.

garylkoh · Apr 13, 2011

diibadaaba said:
Hi all, my first post here.

This is a hypothetical scenario (at least for the moment), but let's say I would be building a new 2-ch listening room from the ground up. Would it be possible to have large windows on the front wall and still achieve good acoustics?

The answer would have to be Yes. Even with dipoles, depending on how the rear wave is controlled with the loudspeaker in question, a front wall that is completely glass could still work well as long as the speakers are not right up to the glass. What would matter more is that the windows are sufficiently braced not to rattle and resonate. Thickness and dimensions of each pane of glass should be considered (not thin and square).

Jeff Hedback · Apr 13, 2011

it is absolutely possible to have windows front and center between speakers. But the real answer is "it depends"...depends on all room factors but L, W and H need to accommodate desired speaker/listening locations and keep the window from being an issue.

Quick aside: knowledge gained from a job in S. Florida...the newly installed hurricane windows actually resonate at ~ 800Hz...noticeable and not expected. The simple point is window selection does have bearing on sonics.

All the best!

JackD201 · Apr 14, 2011

Here's some good news

http://www.rpginc.com/products/clearsorberf/index.htm

Jeff Hedback · Apr 14, 2011

Yes, that is a very cool product and works well. There's even a nifty application by studio designer John Storyck addressing SBIR with this product.

However, would not help the glass resonance itself.

JackD201 · Apr 16, 2011

True Jeff, I hadn't thought of that. It probably works best with heavy glass that's tempered and laminated.

mullard88 · Apr 20, 2011

Hi diibadaaba,

Welcome to WBF.

The room you intend to build is on the large side. In my experience, large rooms have less problems than small rooms.

If I were you, I would build the room with as many windows of any size. Move the stereo gear into the room then listen. For all your initial worries, you may end up liking the room as is. Should room problems arise, these problems can always be treated.

One of my favorite rooms to visit has no room treatment at all but the owner has been able to make his many different set-ups sound intoxicating.

Bruce B · Apr 20, 2011

JackD201 said:
True Jeff, I hadn't thought of that. It probably works best with heavy glass that's tempered and laminated.

This is what we have. It's 2 pieces of 1" laminated glass mitered 20degrees in the center to form a "V" pattern.

kach22i · Apr 20, 2011

JackD201 said:
Here's some good news

http://www.rpginc.com/products/clearsorberf/index.htm

Awesome link, thanks.

LenWhite · Apr 26, 2011

diibadaaba said:
Hi all, my first post here.

This is a hypothetical scenario (at least for the moment), but let's say I would be building a new 2-ch listening room from the ground up. Would it be possible to have large windows on the front wall and still achieve good acoustics?

I used Rives Audio http://www.rivesaudio.com/home/home.html to design the acoustics for my listening room and I'm certainly glad I did. There's simply too many different opinions from posters. Having an opportunity to build a dedicated listening room from the ground up is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Use a professional to make certain the room is acoustically designed properly.

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What can be done with windows?

diibadaaba

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Steve Williams

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diibadaaba

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Bruce B

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garylkoh

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Jeff Hedback

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JackD201

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Jeff Hedback

[Industry Expert]

JackD201

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mullard88

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Bruce B

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kach22i

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LenWhite

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