Building my home theater...

[minendo]

So I plan on turning my finished basement into a home theater, but I need some suggestions for the best sound quality. Currently the room is finished with carpet, panel walls, and a drop ceiling. I figure everything will comply, but my concern is vibration in the drop ceiling. What can I do to minimize the rattling?

 

[Muadib]

Replacing the ceiling with something like this is the answer. However, it ain't cheap.

You could also do like a pal of mine did, and put sandbags in the ceiling. It works, but the tiles are starting to sag, and it really looks like crap now. He may have gone overboard with the weight of the bags though.

 

[dandragonrage]

I'd replace it with a fixed ceiling, probably just drywall. But might as well see how it sounds first.

If the "rails" for the ceiling are sturdy, you can just glue/tape something heavy onto the back of the panels if you want.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I have a theater room with a drop ceiling, and I've never noticed a problem with vibration. Now that you mention it, I'm sure it vibrates some, but I don't hear it rattle.

I certainly wouldn't replace it with drywall. That's nuts. You'll be amazed at how often you have to run something up there and will be grateful you can do it so easily.

 

[dandragonrage]

You should run conduit.