Home theaters

What usually goes wrong

• Dialogue is muddy at reference volume.
• Bass booms in some seats and disappears in others.
• Sound leaks into bedrooms upstairs.

The main noise sources are the speakers and subwoofers. Sound bounces off hard walls, floors and ceilings, so it lingers and builds up. Absorbing panels soak up those reflections.

Where the panels go

1. At the first reflection points on both side walls.
2. On the back wall behind the seats.
3. 4 in panels in the front corners for bass.
4. A cloud above the main seating row.

Mistakes to avoid

• Making the room too dead so it loses its sense of space.
• Skipping bass treatment.
• Expecting panels to stop sound reaching the floor above.

Fire rating and codes

Basements used as theaters often need Class A finishes to meet local code for finished basements.

Blocking sound between rooms

Panels make a room sound better, but they don’t stop sound passing through a wall. For that you need a wall assembly rated around STC 55, because a theater is loud and usually shares walls or a ceiling with bedrooms. Read about STC ratings and soundproofing.