Question about dampening

[subynube]

I am just about finished my Nat P. build and will have it up and running in a few days I am doing the set up in the 1.0 cubic foot enclosure from PE. I bought this dampening material from parts express, the 1 1/4 inch 3 layer material.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=260-535

There are other options to go with lesser material, like 3/4 inch thick.
Is the 1 and 1/4 inch thick stuff too thick for small enclosures, or should I be ok? Should I coat all of the inside walls, or just some? Thanks for the input.

[subynube]

I know it is a strange question, and kinda a noob question, but anyone have any input? I dont want to put the thick stuff in if anyone thinks it will be too much. Thanks

[Burke Strickland]

I bought this dampening material from parts express

Hope you mean "damping" material not "dampening" material... the first one refers to sound absorption, which can be an important part of a properly designed speaker enclosure (the DAMPING material can help keep the cabinet or other internal components from producing unwanted vibrations); the second would be something to keep things wet, which, unless you live in the desert, is probably not a design goal of your project. :>)

[ThomasW]

I know it is a strange question, and kinda a noob question, but anyone have any input? I dont want to put the thick stuff in if anyone thinks it will be too much. Thanks

Since there's a infinite number of questions and a finite number of people to answer them, sometimes it takes a while to get around to answering everyone's questions, .....

It's fine. Once the crossovers are in place there's limited amount of flat surface for that kind of damping, so I doubt you'll have issues with using too much.

[joecarrow]

In his defense, Parts Express does call it dampening material.

Burke's right, though- it's damping. Although I agree with Thomas, I've got to caution you not to obstruct the cones or the port opening. There can be a benefit of using thicker foam, as well, since it absorbs sounds that are lower in frequency and are more in line with the upper bass that the woofer is playing into the cabinet but is not really using to drive the port output.

[subynube]

Haha, "dampening". what was I thinking? :rofl: I definately did not soak the interior of my set up. However, I will apply the damping material that I bought. And Thomas is right, I definately have limited space in the cabinet being that the XO is absolutely huge. Thanks again folks, sorry if I seemed inpatient.

[---k---]

Here is a link to some testing by Zaph, and he discusses what he uses.

http://www.zaphaudio.com/whispermat.html

May give you some reassurance. I think I've seen Jon say he uses a similar arrangement.

[subynube]

Just wanted to put an end to the thread. I just finished my NatP's, and I have one deadened, and one not deadened yet. The deadened one sounds awesome, and tight as a drum. Probably the best speakers I have ever heard. The undeadened one is boomy, not as tight.
Clearly it is not overdeadened with the thicker stuff. I was not able to coat all surfaces with the material because of the XO, but I did get most of it.

Thanks for all the help folks ;x( :W

[ThomasW]

Good news... :T