Hardwood floors or carpeted?

[frdranger]

Hey gang,

It's been a while since I've posted; been busy with alot of stuff. Anyway, I'll be moving in a few weeks into a new house that has hardwood floors. Would you recommend hardwood floors or carpeted floors for better bass reproduction? And if carpeted, what type of carpeting? Thanks guys!

-Tom

[Dennis Gardner]

Neither affects bass as much as it affects highs. Actually bass reproduction is affected more by room dimensions than any wall , floor or ceiling covering.

If you like the look and cleanliness (allergy control) of the hardwoods, I would look into area rugs with or without pads to temper reflections and focus on speaker/sub placement.

[frdranger]

ohh okay, I gotcha. So the sound coming from my center and floorstanding speakers will sound noticeably different on a hardwood floor compared to a carpeted? I am on a carpeted floor right now.

[Dennis Gardner]

You will get more reflectied highs from the hardwoods than carpet. Sometimes good, sometimes a nuisance, each reflection tends to cancel or obscure the original signal and can make your highs sound fuzzy since theay arrive at your ears at slightly different timings. Soft speakers can come alive on hard floors though and some find this helpful.

Bass frequencies are so long ( 20 feet or more) that a thin layer of carpet doesn't usually have alot of damping affect unless you have a downfiring sub.

I wouldn't plan on any type of covering change until you find that you don't like the sound once you set things up, then go crazy trying different options out.

[gregure]

I think it's a bit of a misnomer that hardwood floors enhance the bass. Personally, I've experienced the most bass in homes where the living rooms are carpeted, but the crawl space below the room allows the floor boards to really resonate because they don't have a solid foundation just below them. I much prefer the absorption of carpet for highs and mids, as the reflective surface really brighens the sound, especially with Polks, which are already a bit bright.

[frdranger]

Thanks for your replies guys, I will test and see how it goes then decide from there. Thanks!!

[Sami]

I would not replace hardwood with carpet just because of sound reproduction, unless they are in bad shape. Even then, a reason to put better wood on the floor. Like said, rugs will do the trick and you get to enjoy both the sound and beauty and feel of wood floors.

[Hvrnaut]

What Sami said...

Rugs are the way to go. Still can use your speaker stand carpet spikes (depending on the length and type of rug) Hardwook looks and sounds (?)
better!