Dedicated audio room build thread aka The Big Dig

[HughP3]

Wondering. Since the 2x12 cavities were made taller than you were planning. Are you planning on mounting the 4x8 sheets of finished plywood horizontally?

My father in law is a builder and says plywood should only be done 1 way. The plywood will be 2 vertical sections on the walls, 4'h x 4'w and a 8'h x 4'w. with 16"OC. The will be screwed on perimters, finish brads on 16" centers and glued. Then will have 2" batting(sp?) overlaying the joints. I cannot remember but I think 8" crown molding and 8" base molding. These 2 pieces of plywood will cover the 12' height. The 31 foot long room does not divide equally but he knows the proper way to handle it..

 

[PeterA]

Hugh, this sounds excellent. If I understand correctly, the battens will be every 4'-0" creating equal square panels running up and across the walls. The interesting challenge will be how the battens meet the crown moulding and baseboard moulding. Personally, I would prefer the top and bottom mouldings to applied over the battens so that the top and bottom battens on the grid should actually be greater than the 2", but leaving 2" exposed. Also interesting will be how the corners are handled. It is basically an exercise to find a pleasing pattern. There are many options, and you and your father-in-law will figure it out. What veneer will the plywood be and what wood will the battens be? Also, how thick will the battens be?

I really like a panelled look for such a large wall section. It should also be good acoustically, but that is just a guess on my part.

 

[HughP3]

Hello Peter, not sure yet how battens will butt up to molding. However they are about the same thickness, if I recall. The plywood veneer is custom 3/4" curly maple. And all the trim + batten is regular maple. Going to do a sealant + true clear coat (no yellow). Should be really nice with nice grain but the clear coat will not overwhelm the room and contrast well with the cherry diffusers. The 3/4" is per Dennis F specs.

 

[jturbo]

My father in law is a builder and says plywood should only be done 1 way. The plywood will be 2 vertical sections on the walls, 4'h x 4'w and a 8'h x 4'w. with 16"OC. The will be screwed on perimters, finish brads on 16" centers and glued. Then will have 2" batting(sp?) overlaying the joints. I cannot remember but I think 8" crown molding and 8" base molding. These 2 pieces of plywood will cover the 12' height. The 31 foot long room does not divide equally but he knows the proper way to handle it..

Will you end up gluing the plywood to the Furring strips? I recall that there is suppose to be a layer of MLV between the 2x12/Furring layer and the Maple plywood? Can you glue to MLV?

 

[HughP3]

Will you end up gluing the plywood to the Furring strips? I recall that there is suppose to be a layer of MLV between the 2x12/Furring layer and the Maple plywood? Can you glue to MLV?

No cannot glue mlv. What you saw for Mlv in this case is for vibration control however proper panel installation requires gluing and screwing the panel. There will be no vibration if glued.

 

[HughP3]

Been a few weeks since an update. The last shipment of carbon is arriving Friday. Will be about 8,000 pounds all in. I lack about 1/3 the ceiling then all done. I hope from here on the project will go a bit quicker.

Here is a picture of the massive crates for the QRD 13 well diffusers. The QRD's are large at 48" x 27" X 16" deep, about 120lbs each.

 

[HughP3]

As an aside to the room, Joe Cali and I settled on the following equipement to go with the Trident II

Gryphon Antileon EVO stereo amp
Gryphon Pandora pre-amp
MSB Reference Dac (will test various Femto clocks)
Innuos Statement Server
cabling and power from Cardas and Shunyata

 

[LL21]

As an aside to the room, Joe Cali and I settled on the following equipement to go with the Trident II

Gryphon Antileon EVO stereo amp
Gryphon Pandora pre-amp
MSB Reference Dac (will test various Femto clocks)
Innuos Statement Server
cabling and power from Cardas and Shunyata

Congrats! Great equipment from start to finish.

 

[HughP3]

I feel a bit guilty posting given the struggles of many but when Santa arrived today I thought it would be a nice distraction.

Gryphon EVO and Pandora pre
Msb Reference Dac
Innuos Reference
Artesania Aire-Art amp stand



Also the room is slowwwly getting there. Paneling is in and coated. Next is trim, QRD install, final wiring and carpet.

Panel without clear coat

 

[jturbo]

Sweet. Did you end up using carbon in the ceiling? Id love some pics of how that all came together of you have them.

How long before the room is completed, do you think?

 

[HughP3]

Sweet. Did you end up using carbon in the ceiling? Id love some pics of how that all came together of you have them.

How long before the room is completed, do you think?

Jturbo depends. I don’t want Joseph Cali flying out for setup until it’s safe.

Some pics of the ceiling and yes all carbon

 

[HughP3]

Big milestones this weeks. QRD walls built and electrical complete. The QRD boxes are about 100lbs apiece. They had to be installed like cabinets so a lot of shimming, guys did great (yes social distancing from me, they are family). I am really excited about the networked LED lighting. They are Lifx bulbs with virtually unlimited colors, kelvin, dimming etc. They can be grouped, can apply themes and controlled via iPad App. Worked great. Torus 60 amp wall power box installed, what a beast.

Mini diffusers will be installed on and above door , side walls of front wall. Not sure when i will get those as the shop is closed for now.

video of room so far:

various pictures:
View attachment 63816

 

[Stump]

Lifx bulbs add a new dimension to any listening room.Bring on the DISCO nights.....

 

[LenWhite]

Absolutely stunning room Hugh, congrats. This has got to be potentially one of the best listening rooms in the world. Can't wait to see it when your audio equipment is installed.

 

[HughP3]

Absolutely stunning room Hugh, congrats. This has got to be potentially one of the best listening rooms in the world. Can't wait to see it when your audio equipment is installed.

Thank you Len, I sure hope so. Take care

 

[HughP3]

Update:
Oh boy carpet going in tomorrow! Almost done but for an order of mini diffusers for doors and a few other places. will post some pics tomorrow.

correction on the big diffusers they are 17 well and about 200 lbs each.

wall and ceiling absorbers are in. Did another cell phone dB test. Room reads 29-30 dB if that’s believable from an iPhone. Again pics tomorrow...

 

[Big B]

Just outstanding

 

[Bobvin]

Hugh, I know the feeling of being so close to completion, then realize how many tiny little details remain before you find yourself in sonic bliss. Your room has come together in a spectacular fashion. Congrats. The maple panels I expect will be stunning with the clear finish. Can’t wait to hear your comments once your rig is setup!

(Still wondering if you will have stored your dead enemies in those carbon coffins behind the plywood. Hope to never read the news... “a grisly [but amazingly odor free] scene was discovered today by local authorities...”)

 

[christoph]

Update:
Oh boy carpet going in tomorrow! Almost done but for an order of mini diffusers for doors and a few other places. will post some pics tomorrow.

correction on the big diffusers they are 17 well and about 200 lbs each.

wall and ceiling absorbers are in. Did another cell phone dB test. Room reads 29-30 dB if that’s believable from an iPhone. Again pics tomorrow...

With or without AC?

 

[HughP3]

Hugh, I know the feeling of being so close to completion, then realize how many tiny little details remain before you find yourself in sonic bliss. Your room has come together in a spectacular fashion. Congrats. The maple panels I expect will be stunning with the clear finish. Can’t wait to hear your comments once your rig is setup!

(Still wondering if you will have stored your dead enemies in those carbon coffins behind the plywood. Hope to never read the news... “a grisly [but amazingly odor free] scene was discovered today by local authorities...”)

Lol Thanks Bob. It is very exciting + the latest Ga Covid stats are showing a steep decline which makes it even better. I do have a small punch list but biggest item are the mini-QRD’s which have not come in yet. Pictures below.

I was interviewed today about my missing neighbors not that i would know anything ....