Tír Na HiFi

So, I'm planning on rebuilding my HT this year

(pics here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cin ... refit.html)

I currently have carpet down but have some nice wooden floors underneath. What would peoples opinions be on the relative merits of retaining the carpet vs. going back to wooden floors when considering sonic characteristics?

I seem to recall the room being a bit echoey before we put the carpet down but I'm sure a few rugs or soft furnishings would help with this?

It's a HT issue but I do listen to a lot of stereo music in here as well.

Thoughts appreciated....

Peter

My listening room has varnished floorboards and no carpet. A big rug in front of the speakers helped, and an extra sofa (new one in the kitchen: where can we put the old one? Throw it in the listening room!) recently added has unintentionally tightened up imaging quite a bit. People can sit on it too, but it's in the wrong place for listening!

given the volume and nature of home cinema I'd definitely go with carpet. Bare floors are a problem even with 2 channel hifi,

Peter. Nice set up. I'd stick with the carpet to reduce echo.

I'd also very much agree with above, definitely good to stick with carpet or else have big rug in the centre in front of speakers. My 2 channel setup is in family living room which has wooden floors. But years ago agreed with those that make the interior design decisions (!) that it would be much more homely to have a nice big rug... Ulterior motive was that definitely felt room needed some sound dampening and it worked. I also tend to close curtains behind the speakers when having serious listening sessions as speakers are relatively close to rear wall and it helps too...