Acoustic panels

joecoulson
joecoulson Posts: 4,943
edited June 2019 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Have any of you made simple acoustic panels from wood frames, sponge or insulation guts and fabric outer? Thoughts on their performance vs professionally made?
Thanks all.

Comments

  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,330
    I made some for my son's studio. Use Rockwool for sound absorption. For covering, we just got some course weave material from the local fabric store. They work very well. Sometimes I borrow them to put on the walls beside my LSi15's and I'm amazed how the sound stage opens up.
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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,043
    I've made several. They work very well and aren't eyesores like traditional wall treatments which I ended up taking down in favor of them. I used 2'' square wood for the frame the size of the beach or bath towel I was using and used foam acoustic panels cut to size underneath.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,711
    I bought mine from, https://www.soundproofcow.com/product-category/acoustic-panels/fabric-wrapped-acoustic-panels/

    It was the easiest way for me. They look nice and work well.
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    If you search the title of your thread in the forum you’ll find a number of member threads on DIY and professional treatments. You can even see mine from 2013 when I made some ‘portable’ ones.

    I have been very happy with my DIY panels.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,350
    edited June 2019
    You have access to nice WAF fabrics so DIY can look great and match your decor. I just went with GIK myself. If you want art panels, you can upload a pic of yours or choose from many they offer.

    I had recovered some GIK panels that had the base burlap type covering with Guilford of Maine acoustic fabric. Wife liked Silver Papier. I ordered GIK bass traps to match.

    This is one source for GIK fabric.

    https://acousticalwallfabric.com/guilford-fr701/acoustical-wall-fabric/acoustic-panels/guilford-of-maine/fabric/fr701-fabric-2/acoustic-fabrics/sound-absorbing-fabrics/acoustically-transparent-fabric/acoustic-insulation-materials/
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Great info fellas, and the pics help tremendously
    Thank You
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,192
    If you are interested in DIY... At the time I built mine, this was the cheapest place I could find to order OC703. It's the shipping cost that gets you. Not sure if they are still the cheapest, I haven't price checked in a long time.

    https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/

    They also carry Guilford of Maine (acoustic transparent) fabric that comes in wider widths than most other fabrics. But I went the cheaper route and used fabric from Joann Fabrics. They have a coupon page:

    https://www.joann.com/coupon/

    You want breathable fabric (loose weave). Tight, none breathable fabric can, in theory, reflect highs instead of absorb them. A none-issue for bass traps. For best absorption you want an air gap between the insulation and wall.

    Also keep an eye out on Craigslist. I purchased six 2" thick panels already built on CL and disassembled them to make 4" panels. Then later found two leftover full boxes from a project, of 4" thick OC703 from ATS that I bought for dirt cheap on CL.
  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,192
    I can't remember who posted this, to give them credit.

    http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    I want to do this but haven't figured out how to follow the Western motif of my living room yet.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,521
    edited June 2019
    I traded my SRS 2 for a complete acoustic treatment for my small humble room. Guy came up from Miami did several messument with some mic's and a PC. Placed 9 Owens Corning 1 inch glass fiber and two bass traps. I added 4 more corner bass traps later.

    Before I made this deal I was going to go with Roxul. Here is one of the videos I liked for the DIY.

    https://youtu.be/41liBn-QNW4

    You can use the same stuff for some acoustic panels.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,970
    edited June 2019
    I purchased 4 * 24x48x2 panels from acoustimac... Only 250 shipped with the executive cloth and cornings insulation

    They are not as nicely built as GIK but just as effective. I am pleased with the results. I store mine when not using the 2 channel rig.
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  • machone
    machone Posts: 1,471
    Just added an 8x10 wool rug to my seating area (Hand me down from the wife). I ageed to this grudgingly as I knew it would make the room too dead.
    Wrong!
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'm still an NBP dealer but personally I've fallen out of love with the wall approach. It has its merits but the mobile treatments are more where I lean to now. The tuning abilities they allow for are impossible to beat.

    Also, don't stick strictly to absorption. Diffraction is a powerful tool too - just as powerful as absorption and twice as good when used together properly.

    You know those crystals and doodads people put on the wall? The reason they do anything for your system is they introduce new resonances into the air. They are quite elementary if you think about it and not the voodoo so many people claim them to be. How much they actually impact the sound depends on how strong the resonances are. Keep this in mind if you add something to the room.

    Tell us more Skip! Do you have any examples of diffraction doodads? :smile:
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
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    Found these yesterday... Just a thought
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,970
    Acoustimac sales panels for that
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Here are a few different diffusion panels:
    https://www.gikacoustics.com/product-category/diffusion-products/

    This guy has several Youtube videos that has some good info. He has in the acoustic design business, so, there will also be some links to their products, but, does a good job on laying out some of the foundation of acoustical properties.:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ABushctZQ
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Thanks Kerry!
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