Room Acoustic measurement. How?

[pythagore]

Guys,

My room is 21X17->10ft ceiling, I don't care much about movies. Music is my number one priority.

I'm getting some very bad echoes at high volume.

Should I hire a professional to treat the room, or can I do it myself?

If I can do it myself, how?

How do I determine the areas that need treatment?

The thing is, there are not many professionals in the area where I am, capable of perfomring such treatment, or at least none I'm aware of.

[DrWho]

It's definetly something you can do yourself if you're willing and have the time to learn a bit about acoustics.

What kind of budget are you looking at and what limitations are there with the aesthetics?

This would be a great place to start reading:

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

[pythagore]

It's definetly something you can do yourself if you're willing and have the time to learn a bit about acoustics.

What kind of budget are you looking at and what limitations are there with the aesthetics?

This would be a great place to start reading:

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

Thanks DrWho,

Interesting reading, I may be able to do.

I have a budget of $3K CAD just for the treatment. I don't mind taking a wall down and rebuild it or change the room layout if needed.

[DrWho]

Oh wow - a serious acoustics job.

Any chance you can have non-parallel walls?

And would it be possible to get some diagrams of your place? (both the

floor plan and a side view). Acoustics is a 4-D problem (L x W x H x

Time) which means 3D drawings are of the highest priority. Diagrams of

the adjoining rooms would be helpful too. And is the echo the only

thing you're worried about?

For more information I would suggest searching the "architectural"

section of the forum...there are tons of threads on acoustical

treatment in there.

If you have a laptop or computer near your listening room you should

also look into an "ETF" on software which is currently the best way to

measure sound in the time domain (it's like an RTA on steroids).

http://www.etfacoustic.com/online%20order.htm

I see they also offer a calibrated microphone with pre-amp for $350, but you can get an equally good setup for $100:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/BehringerECM8000Microphone?sku=270400

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/BehringerEurorackUB802Mixer?sku=631238

(you need both because you need the phantom power for the condenser mic).