Hi-Fi Living Room

The living room has big windows and bare walls. Music bounced off the walls behind the sofa and around the speakers. The bass was boomy and the different instruments were hard to pick out.

We showed the client a full-wall example, then visited and gave two options for the panels above the sofa: a regular frame or a black wooden frame. We sent updated 3D designs and fabric photos with and without the frame. He chose the black frames, made from pine stained black, with grey fabric.

The client asked about thinner 50 mm panels behind the speakers. We advised keeping them at 100 mm, because thin panels mostly soak up mid and high sound, while thick panels are needed to control bass. He kept the thick ones. He also asked about printed panels. We explained the printed surface is synthetic leather and absorbs much less sound, so they are mainly for looks.

Behind the speakers and around the bookcase we fitted black bass panels, stacked floor to ceiling: 2 at 1275 x 600 mm and 2 at 1000 x 600 mm. The work was done over two visits, on weekdays during condo working hours, with only minor drilling.

The client says he enjoys his music a lot more. The bass is tighter and less boomy. He can hear each instrument more clearly without turning up the volume, especially after re-running his amplifier's room setup. He also says the framed panels above the sofa look great and get guests talking.