Soffits...how bad's an open top?

I've got a design for soffits for my studio monitors (ATC SCM-50A's), but due to the location of windows in my basment (which I cannot cover up...without losing my wifes approval over) I need to leave the top open. Does this remove all the benefit of soffits, or will I still get good coupling into the room by having extended the baffle at least to the sidewalls and floor. Detail on the studio desing is in this thread. http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4152 I appreceate any responses on this...and mods, feel free to move this thread if you feel it belongs elsewhere. Cheers, Kris

you could build up the soffits to right under them and seal them off on the top. put some plants on it? :-) or build it out a bit and add another set of windows over the soffits to keep the soffit face even to the ceiling. you could consider turning the CR sideways - its reasonable close to a good ratio - and then only one of your side angle walls needs to have some creative window framing on it.

That would have been a cool concept had I been interested in going for a seperate control room. You almost had me reconsidering my decision. But, I really like working in a big room where the music is happening. As far as the soffits go I may just not build em. I'm considering instead of soffits to build big bass traps in the corners, and go for a dead front wall and live rear. I've got the dimensions that could make diffusion work for me at the rear wall. Plus, my monitors are not ready for soffit mounting (need to build a shelf filter). I still have time to reconsider..... Cheers Kris

you could use something like this design but leave off the doors - just enough wall to shape the front of the "CR" but have the rest of the room wide open. then later if you decide you want to add some isolation you can readily put up the additional walls.