A home theater system is a great thing to have, but it can be less than convenient if it sends sound waves throughout your home. Part of building an excellent home theater includes also sound-proofing the room that it's in. And this can be more of a challenge than you think, especially in terms of bass.
Choose the Right Room for Your Theater System
Though it isn't always possible to get the room you want for your theater system, there are definitely choices that are preferable. A finished basement is almost universally the best choice, as it will already be very isolated from the rest of the home. Otherwise, the right room is usually a room on the outside walls of the house. A room directly in the middle of a home will have too many shared walls and will thus impact more of the home.
Improve Upon Your Internal Insulation
Sound-isolating is a great time to start considering your internal insulation. Though internal insulation may not reduce noise as much as acoustic foam, it has a dual purpose of insulating your home and making it harder for the sound to travel.
Get Noise-Reducing Foam
Noise-reducing foam can be installed on the walls to both enhance the appearance of your home theater and limit the amount of sound. Acoustic foam is affordable, and it can be installed by nearly anyone. There are also different ratings of foam, depending on the amount of sound isolation that you need.
Install the Right Flooring
The floor has quite a lot to do with the acoustics of a room. Install tile or stone floors, and you'll hear an unpleasant echo—and the sound will reverberate throughout your home. Soft materials, such as a thin pile carpet, are much preferred for reducing sounds. This becomes even more important if the room is on the second floor.
Keep the System Away from the Walls
When properly suspended, your audio system should not be directly against any of the walls in your home. This will only transmit the bass more and dampen the sounds. Place the devices at least six inches away from the walls and point them appropriately, and there shouldn't be any problems.
The better your sound proofing, the better the acoustics will also be within your home theater room. Remember: if sound can get out, it can also get in. It's usually in your best interest to invest in sound-isolation from the beginning, or even expensive equipment may not sound right. For more information on home theater systems, check out websites like http://www.atechels.com.
