For those that demand the very best, only the Ultimate level will do. We recommend this level primarily for new construction or where a room will be completely remodelled as an all out asault on the finest acoustics available. Our ultimate level includes every design aspect you can imagine. We will integrate virtually any decor and address details that many audiophiles never even considered, such as HVAC designs to keep air flow appropriate and quiet. Of course our primary goal is achieving the ultimate in sonic benefit, but we understand decor and aesthetics can be a very important issue. We've designed contempory to traditional styled listening rooms. Some with no parallel surfaces and others with coffered ceilings. At level 3, there are virtually no limts as to what our designs can provide. The biggest difference between level 3 and our first two levels is that we personally go on site. Generally there are three trips to a level 3 project: 1. The first trip to measure the room and evaluate the construction applicable for the project. We will also meet with all parties involved in the process from architect to contractor where applicable. On this visit we generally have some basic concepts of what might need to be done and discuss that with our client. After this visit we return to develop the concept plan and then, once approved, the schematics for building. 2. The second visit is generally half way through construction to insure that all designs are being built to specification. If changes need to be made it's far easier to do this at this stage, than have to redo a completed project. We make sure your investment is going to pay off with this second trip. 3. The final trip is at the completion of the project once all the equipment is in. We do final inspection of the construction and final tuning of the room, which includes tuning any of the devices in the room and work on speaker and furnishing placement. This is a very important step in maximizing the investment. Level 3 is the ultimate. We take all the guess work out and make the process easy. The results are astounding. One level 3 customer remarked: "You simply can not get this sound with any equipment upgrade at any price. The immediacy and unfiltered sound in my newly finished room is the most jaw dropping experience I've ever had."

• Acoustical engineering for Listening Room and Home Theater Design, combined with actual high resolution acoustical measurements, on site analysis and construction inspection.
• Full size schematics including assembly drawings.
• Rives engineers come on site for meetings, inspections, and final tuning of the room.
• Price varies based on time, materials, and scope of work. Estimates will be provided prior to commencement.

• Primarily new construction or complete renovation of a room
• High end 2 channel or ultra high performance Home Theater Design
• Outstanding visual appeal and acoustics with all details considered
• Can include full sound isolation design, HVAC, electrical, lighting, and aesthetic details.

Rives Audio Level 3 Design Services, winner of the Writers Award 2004

"The ultimate audio indulgence?

$100,000 speakers... nope! 10,000 rare LPs... not bad, but not the ultimate. There is no doubt in my mind that the ultimate audio indulgence is a properly designed, dedicated room. Even relatively modest gear will bring every recording to life in a room that gets out of the way of the music. Until you hear a room like that, it would be difficult to understand why I feel that way.

I just spent 7 months planning and building a ‘clean-sheet-of-paper,' no-holds-barred dedicated 2-channel audio room designed by Rives Audio. I had done quite a bit of research into design alternatives and settled on Rives... and the result is nothing short of miraculous. It's not perfect... but it easily far outdistances any other room I've ever heard. Richard Bird and Chris Huston of Rives Audio have an unmatched combination of science and real world experience in acoustics, as well as in complete pro and audiophile listening room design

Rives offers different levels of design support, starting at less than $1000. I choose level three, which is the top level of design support, and includes two or three on-site visits. Any construction project has its challenges ... an audio room has a few unique ones. If you are going to go to that trouble... you might as well choose the right design approach. Rives believes in the diffusion approach, as opposed to absorption... ‘live-end/dead-end' (LEDE) is wrong thinking in the Rives Audio book.

The Rives Audio level 3 room design therefore has my vote as a Positive Feedback Online Writers' Choice Awards for 2004."

Mike Lavigne, Positive Feedback

Continue to the Awards.