AndyST's Semi-Dedicated Build Thread

[AndyST]

After much research and planning I've now arrived at the build phase of my new project

The aim is to improve my setup to provide the best possible sound from my current equipment, mainly in the areas of positioning and acoustic treatment.

It's not going to be done anytime soon, this is very much a long term project. Comments & suggestions welcome along the way!

Master 'To Do' List

I'll keep adding to and updating this as I go along. It's a handy way for me to see where I am with the project and just how much work I have left to do

Designs:

• Front Columns - Complete!
• Rear Columns - Complete!
• Column Covering Panels - Complete!
• Bass Traps - Complete!
• Diffusers - Complete!
• Front Wall Layout - Complete!
• Rear Wall Layout - Complete!
• Window Panels - Complete!
• Ceiling
• Lighting - In Progress

Construction

Columns:

• Front Right - Complete!
• Center - Complete!
• Front Left - Complete!
• Rear Right
• Rear Left

Column Covering Panels:

• Front Right - Complete!
• Center - In Progress
• Front Left - In Progress
• Rear Right
• Rear Left

Bass Traps:

• Front Right Column - In Progress
• Center Column - In Progress
• Front Left Column - Complete!
• Rear Right Column
• Front Wall
• Right Wall
• Rear Wall

Diffusers:

• Front Wall (6 - Prime 13)
• Rear Wall (5 - Prime 17)

Window:

• Acoustic / Light Control Panels (6)

Misc:

• Lighting
• Trunking / Cable Management

Software / Calculators Used

• Porous Absorber Calculator - Absorbers / Bass Traps
• QRDude - Diffusers

Latest Update

[AndyST]

First column frame is 80% done, just a few more cross beams to add in. Was a lot more work than I expected, I should really invest in some power tools. Hopefully the next one will go a bit faster

Here's my preliminary designs for the front wall. The custom equipment racks will be going in those 2 alcove areas, but I'm still working on the exact designs for them.

[alz2605]

I really like the look of your design Andy! Do your self a favour and at least get an power screw driver! I'm sure that now you've built one colum the other two will go up quicker.

A suggestion I would offer to you though would be not to use racks in the alcoves and site your other equipment out of site. I think it would spoil the look of your design and all those illuminated buttons drive me to distraction.

Keep us up to date with plenty of photos mate!

[AndyST]

The first column is complete and in position:



Pretty pleased it all went together without any problems, the benefits of thorough planning I guess

Picked up the materials for the 2nd one this morning so I'll be ready to start work on that tomorrow.

[AndyST]

Almost done with my design of the power amp rack. Space for the 3 8000Ms I have at the moment with room for 2 more. Intending for that to be part of my next upgrade path, so every channel will have it's own monobloc.



There's a gap at the bottom to draw in cold air and through each shelf in line with the 8000M's heat vents. So there will be no risk of any heat building up and it should have quite a nice airflow.

Similar to the columns I'm planning to attach panels to the frame and also have a hinged door at the front so everything inside can be hidden out of view. More on this once I've finished the designs.

Hopefully they will integrate well into the design of the front wall. There really isn't anywhere else they can go in the room.

[AndyST]

Center column is almost done, should be able to get the last few pieces sorted tomorrow night. I tried a slightly different approach putting this one together. Instead of attaching the brackets to the cross beams first I measured out the main supporting beams and attached them where they needed to go on there. This way went a lot smoother as I didn't need to line up all the cross beams during the final phases of construction, they just slotted into place.



Picked up the materials for column 3 as well

[AndyST]

Center column complete and in position.

[RowdenCO]

looking good, keep the updates coming

[AndyST]

Decided I need a break from column building this weekend. Instead I'm going to build the covering panels for the front right column, to see if it all goes together like I expect it to.

Here's the acoustically transparent cloth from Maplin (20m), and the wood for the frames.

[RowdenCO]

now I see the cloth, I understand what your doing, should be cool. The columns are they being left as untreated wood?

[mossym]

will be interested to see how the columns turn out, i've been thinking of adding some to my cinema room for a while

good job so far

[AndyST]

Originally Posted by RowdenCO

now I see the cloth, I understand what your doing, should be cool. The columns are they being left as untreated wood?

That's the plan. Adding wood treatment to them would fill the room with VOCs for some time, and they really aren't nice things to be breathing in.

[albriscoe]

Hi Andy

its starting to come together mate

there`s a lot of bloody screws their though I bet yer arms dropping off

keep up with the pics... cheers Al

[AndyST]

Here's the build process with a picture for each step:

• Place inner frame on the cloth.
• Ensure cloth is pulled tight and staple to frame.
• Trim excess cloth.
• Attach outer frame.
• The completed panel.
• Attach to the column using velcro. Done!

Using velcro to attach the panels means they can easily be taken off again when I get around to installing the bass traps, and if I need to change or rewire the speakers inside.

I have made a couple of basic errors... not taking into account the thickness of the cloth and velcro in the designs So the frames haven't lined up perfectly. I now have the additional offsets needed so the next ones should be perfect.

[albriscoe]

Andy

they really do look great