Dedicated listening room vs gear in lounge

[jazzluvva]

Hey all,
I'm just curious in peoples views on the above topic. Due to a change in domestic circumstance , I no longer have my dedicated music room (Damn I miss that). I'm looking to buy a smaller place for me to recover ( I've had a fairly shitty 12 months, end of a 20 year relationship, recovering from chemo for a brain tumour , depression...) so using music as part of my journey back to rude health. I loved having the dedicated room but that was in a house with 2 growing kids . But it was always a slight selfish and isolating option. I've seen a house that may well work for me. I'm curious what folks here think- I have the option to put my rig into a large lounge area ( plenty big enough , rectangular in shape, dining area down one end , I'd use the other for a listening space). The other option is to convert a bedroom into a smaller room which I could treat etc. SO music as a part of everyday life or as a " special"event in its own area. I will be living by myself. I'm not asking what to do ; more what people's thoughts are or what you've done in similar shifts.
As always , I greatly appreciate any insights.
Regards to all.

[Garytn]

Whew! You have been thru it, it seems. Sorry.

In my situation I opted for a small 12-1/2 x 19-1/2 foot room over a shared space. The primary purpose is 2 channel listening, including the inevitable big room treatments. However, I included in the room a new TV and 4k player. As a result, my wife joins me in the "listening " room for watching movies. It's also where friends gather to watch sports. So, it's less isolating than a pure, dedicated listening room.

Good luck. Sounds like you could use a streak of good luck.

[jdandy]

jazzluvva.......I hope you are in recovery mode both physically and emotionally.

In my situation I opted for two separate sound systems, one in the living area and one in a dedicated listening room. This arrangement offers the best of both worlds. There's music in the house and for entertaining, and there is my personal dedicated space and sanctuary where I enjoy music undisturbed. Perhaps this type of arrangement would work for you.

[aardvarkbark]

I'm single and don't have anyone/thing to escape from, so have my primary system in the family room. The listening chair is placed for ideal sonics, the upholstered furniture placed along either side wall helps control the sound, and since it's bigger than any of my secondary bedrooms and has a cathedral ceiling, it has a better acoustic.

My breakfast room is at the end of family room behind the listening chair and it opens into the kitchen. So, although I get optimal sound in the chair, I get very good sound when eating or in the kitchen too. Plus it's accessible for when I have guests.

I have a secondary system in my home office, but that's really just for the convenience of managing music between conference calls and video chats.

Regardless of what you do, I'd like to prescribe a dog, possibly two, adopted from one of your local shelters. Best therapy a guy could hope for.

[W9TR]

Music as part of everyday life!

Given the choice I'd opt for the larger, more social space. You would end up using the system more.

Last year we moved from a 4000 sq ft house to a 2000 sq ft house. The 2 channel room went away and I combined two separate systems into a single, more capable one.

We use this space more than either the dedicated theater or the dedicated 2 channel room we used to have.

Tom

[PMCH]

Jazzluvva, I hope this year turns around for the positive for you. Since my children are out of the house, I have tried putting my 2 channel system in different rooms. My preference has been to put it in my largest room even though it looks a little silly for most guests since I now don't have that much available seating (just one chair in the sweet spot and one to the side for my wife).

[robfine]

Looking at your situation from my perspective, I would prioritize the larger, more social space. However, for the times people are in your house but you want, even need more solitude, I would try to add a small system in the other room, even a headphone system. For $2500 plus a PC, you can have a really good sounding headphone system. For $3500-5000, you can have sound at will rival some of the best "speakered-systems" (if there is such a term). With the HP system done with appropriate planning, you can easily in the future add an amp and speakers to be back with 2 systems with the HP based one taking up a very small footprint.

I don't the luxury of a dedicated listening room where I can "keep them all out" at all times so that is what I have- my main listening in a library I have to share, and a little Audeze LCD-XC with Centrance DAC/amp and enhanced Squeezebox Touch system that sounds really nice- and which will be upgraded shortly in the electronics (those Audezes really hold their own).

[doguniverse]

I am sorry for what has happened to you.

I converted one of my bedrooms into a listening room and an office.

I agree on the dogs, half of my six are recused, and the cats are recused. Pets are the BEST medicine, bar none.

David

[jazzluvva]

Thank you to every one who replied. I never even considered two systems , I do have a small but quite capable Yamaha system which is perfectly good enough to provide CD/network based listening in either a study or as background in a larger room. Duh!! Never even thought about that. So thanks for the thought there!
As for the dog , I'd love to get one ( have had dogs for years). My last one was a Hunterway rescued from a farm. But until I know that my chemo can stop and there is no more progression of tumour , I'd be a bit reckless to take on board a dog. But if I get clearance and find a suitable house , off to the rescue shelter! I actually looked at a place today armed with the suggestions from you guys about 2 systems and know exactly how that could work. Room for a dog too:-) Fingers crossed. Many thanks all! Greatly appreciated.

[audiohippo]

I tried the combined room scenario, integrating the family TV and music room together which opened into the kitchen area, however this was a great challenge!

I enjoy cooking and listening to music, but this became challenging during the 'witching hours' and then later in the evening it was always a battle between the ball'n'chains TV Guide and the opportunity to turn the system on.

The net result was a system that only was turned on once or twice a week for short periods of time.

...so what I decided to do was build (in-progress) a space that while was integrated into the main everyday space, it was able to be sectioned off 'closed' so I was able to enjoy it to its full potential over a fine wine or scotch.