acoustic foam - attractive solutions?

[alpina]

hi all,

anyone got any pics of attractive use of acoustic foam in the home?

i know i need some but i dont want it to look out of place in my beautiful room

cheers,

julie

[Dennis H]

Foam isn't the best acoustic absorber. Semi-rigid fiberglass panels are much better. The 700 series in this link are the right idea but I'm sure there's something equivalent in Oz. Cover them with fabric/tapestries/rugs that fit in with your 'beautiful home.'

http://www.owenscorning.com/comminsul/documents/Fiberglas700Series.pdf

[collectslps]

After significant checking, I recently bought 4 batts of "accoustic bonded recycled cotton"... didn't want fiberglass dust. Bought thin pieces of wood, gorilla tape and wood glue to make frames with the batts attached. > $30 for decorative burlap from a remnants outlet. My bass traps made a noticeable improvement.

[alpina]

you guys checked out this product?

http://www.acousticart.com.au/

julie

[Kal Rubinson]

you guys checked out this product?

http://www.acousticart.com.au/

julie

I am not impressed by the 'art' but YMMV. OTOH, their so-called specifications aren't. I doubt they are significantly effective. Frankly, you need more mass and other materials.

Kal

[alpina]

what do YMMV stand for?

as for specs, is it possible to get a similar effect using better acoustic material?

julie

[Kal Rubinson]

what do YMMV stand for?

Your Mileage May Vary. Indicates that you may feel differently about it.

as for specs, is it possible to get a similar effect using better acoustic material?julie

I didn't see any effect and their specs page provide absolutely no information. It seems to be a thin panel of foam against the wall and, if so, is almost completely useless for the described purpose.

You should look for compressed fiberglass panels of a minimum of 2" thickness to give adequate absorption in the midrange in order to be effective at the reflection points. If you need it to extend absorption into the upper bass to correct for room modes ~100Hz, you probably need 4" thickness and to put panels across room corners.

I recommend these: http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/pr...products_id=42

Not artsy but effective.

Kal

[ralphs99]

Hi Julie,

I made some for myself. I think they look pretty good. See what you think...

http://www.aeronet.com.au/Aeropanel%20Absorber.htm

Cheers, Ralph

[alpina]

very nice ralph - pleasing on the eyes too

not sure about 150mm depth from a practical perspective, but other than that it gets my thumbs up

julie

[tf1216]

ralphs99,

Can you please tell me where you purchased your absorber from?

[engr_dave]

I've been pretty happy with acoustic treatment products from Auralex. They have standard wedge foam panels in various depths and about a dozen colors. Their "metro" series is quite attractive:

Their new "Audiotile" series is also quite interesting and can be assembled in a myriad of patterns and shapes:

[warnerwh]

Rigid fiberglass is the way to go. You can design the panels or make a false wall. Of course it can look any way you want it to.

I didn't know about rigid fiberglass years ago when I did my room. I used 3"-4" wedge foam. This covers the entire wall behind my system as well as 5' out on the ceiling and side walls. The looks don't bother me too much however rigid fiberglass panels would be more effective, although my acoustics are outstanding, and the price would have been about the same. I know I spent hundreds of dollars on the wedge foam.

While you're doing this you should consider building some bass traps too. The importance of room acoustics should not be underestimated. Acoustics can and more than likely will have a profound effect on the sound presentation of your system.

There's a really good site of ThomasW that has pictures making design and building of the panels or bass traps very easy. Anybody who can use common tools can do it.

[ralphs99]

Hi TF1216,

I purchased the foam from CMG Latimer Acoustics here in Melbourne. I believe the parent company, where the stuff is actually manufactured, is in New Zealand.

Cheers, Ralph

[ralphs99]

Hi Julie,

The 150mm depth was chosen for the desired low frequency performance. If you are prepared to sacrifice that, then the panel can be made as thin as you like. There are details of how to estimate low frequency performance on the web page.

http://www.aeronet.com.au/Aeropanel%20Absorber.htm

Cheers, Ralph