Acoustic Panel Madness
Comments
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A couple weeks ago I purchased some used acoustic panels off of Craigslist. I wanted to post some pictures because I like the way these were constructed. I've seen pics of some really nice panels made by members here, but have never seen anyone make them like this and it's very simple and inexpensive. I built my own about a year and a half ago, so I'm going to post this in my old acoustic panel thread.
The guy had six panels, using 48x24x2 Owens Corning 703. Covered with a gray fabric, stapled into wood frames on the back. He was asking $10 per panel. Grabbed all six. The guy had a studio in his home with all kinds of musical instruments and was removing his studio. He said he had more panels than that, but he threw the others away. D'oh!
When I had originally researched the DIY project when I made my own, I had a choice of going with framed panels or frameless. If you use frames on the sides, they will be very durable and will stand up to being knocked around or bumped, but they won't absorb sound from the sides. I've seen a couple members here make some really excellent rich looking panels and they had cut some round or oval holes in the frames to allow some absorption from the sides.
Well, the guy I bought these panels from a couple weeks ago built his own, with frames, but instead of using the frames to go around the sides/edges, he made the frame go around the back edge. So the outer edge of the frame measures 2' x 4'. Instead of the insulation fitting inside the frame, the frame acts as a bumper between the insulation and the wall. He used wood strips that were 3/4" x 1.5".
I've already taken two apart and made a panel with 4 inches of 703 and the guy had left enough fabric on the back so I was able to reuse his fabric. And have the fabric and frame left over from the one panel. High-five! No matter if you are using 2, 4, or 6 inches of insulation, the same frame can be used.
His frames accomplished four things:
1. It allows for absorption from the sides.
2. It makes hanging them on a wall easy-peasy.
3. It creates a 1.5" gap between the OC703 and the wall. (gap is recommended for better results)
4. It gives you something strong to staple the fabric to. I had gone frameless on the ones I built, and had to use long staples and stapled directly into the rigid fiberglass. (mine weren't located where they would get bumped, accidentally kicked, or knocked over)
Maybe this is common knowledge, but I had never seen any made like this before. Thought I'd share for anyone looking to make their own panels. No one locally sells OC703, I had to purchase it online and pay for shipping, so I jumped at this deal for some extra panels.
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Nice work! GIK makes them that way (no frame around acoustic material).
IMO it's best to have all acoustic material covered to protect it and keep any loose stuff from falling out. Attach proper acoustic fabric to frame on one side. Lay fabric covered side on acoustic material and finsih covering with fabric.
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
When I made my own, I unboxed the OC703 in my garage and leaned them up against a door. When I picked one up, the first thing I noticed was particles/crumbs on the floor where it had been sitting. I knew I was going to be moving the panels around and experimenting with them because this was all new to me, so I covered both sides with fabric.
When I took two of the panels apart that I got from this guy, I took the fabric from one panel and wrapped it around the frame and stapled it before I put the 4" panel together. So both sides are covered, but I've left the others as is. I placed two of the 2" panels directly behind the two 4" panels I had built for behind my front speakers. To be honest, I did that for storage purposes, but at least they are technically still being used. I haven't decided if I'm going to take two more apart and make one 4" panel or just use them as is. I may put two in my office. I am sort of looking to the future, in the hopes of having a larger room to set up my HT, so the extra panels will be of use.
I think if the ones with exposed backs were hanging on a wall away from a AC/heating vent, I don't think it would be an issue. But I wouldn't want to hang one directly above a vent, having air blowing on them. Or next to an open window. -
Last year I helped my son make some similar panels for his studio. We used Rockwool and carefully picked some material that would be nearly acoustically non-reflective (loose weave). They work very well. Sometimes I steal them an place them beside my LSi15's and listen to the sound stage open up even more. It is an easy and very effective project, not to mention cheap.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
I've always bought the panels made with the rockwool or similar material like EcoCore. It's made from recycled cellulose,paper, and cotton . Mine as totally covered in a suede like fabric. Something about having the fiberglas panels always scared me in case the fiberglas material broke down over time etc.. I like the frame idea you have there Hermitism!
