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Which material to use in acoustic panels?

renemartin

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2023
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15
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Hi, I want to make 4 DIY acoustic panels.
I've read on reddit that the important thing is the thickness of the material, not have to worry about material type itself.

But I have no experience, what should i choose?
I like that polyester thing or rockwool 'cause of the thickness they provide. More leaned toward polyester 'cause less harmful then rockwool I guess.

What y'all think? Thanks

type: Molded foam
panel size: 100x50x14 cm
panel price: 45€

type: polyester
panel size: 100x50x12 cm (or can be 100x50x15 if i take one more)
panel price: 25€ (or 31€)

type: acoustic foam
panel size: 100x50x12 cm
panel price: 30€

type: rockwool
panel size: 100x50x12 cm (or 100x50x16)
panel price: 20€ (or 30€ https://www.baustore.sk/tepelna-izo...8axl_JFZ0LcJixV6t4QipFpaND80deMRoCmcEQAvD_BwE)
 

Ciobi69

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
430
Likes
274
Hi, I want to make 4 DIY acoustic panels.
I've read on reddit that the important thing is the thickness of the material, not have to worry about material type itself.

But I have no experience, what should i choose?
I like that polyester thing or rockwool 'cause of the thickness they provide. More leaned toward polyester 'cause less harmful then rockwool I guess.

What y'all think? Thanks

type: Molded foam
panel size: 100x50x14 cm
panel price: 45€

type: polyester
panel size: 100x50x12 cm (or can be 100x50x15 if i take one more)
panel price: 25€ (or 31€)

type: acoustic foam
panel size: 100x50x12 cm
panel price: 30€

type: rockwool
panel size: 100x50x12 cm (or 100x50x16)
panel price: 20€ (or 30€ https://www.baustore.sk/tepelna-izo...8axl_JFZ0LcJixV6t4QipFpaND80deMRoCmcEQAvD_BwE)
rockwool
 

harleydave

Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2023
Messages
47
Likes
59
I just made 3 for ceiling and 2 for behind bookshelf speakers. I used rockwool and came out nice.
tatladies.jpg
skulls.jpg
 

DonH56

Master Contributor
Technical Expert
Forum Donor
Joined
Mar 15, 2016
Messages
7,907
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16,733
Location
Monument, CO
Rockwool, or Corning OC-703 are commonly used to make panels. If you need to absorb bass, get the thickest you can fit and live with. I used 4" (10 cm) panels on the sides and 6" (15 cm) at the front and back, with angled 6" panels across the front corners (no room in the back) that had an additional 6" behind. Also ceiling panels. The link in my signature has pictures of my system and room.
 

Anonamemouse

Active Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2022
Messages
127
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136
Location
Close to loudspeakers
This is by far the best:
No itchy mess like rockwool, really easy to work with, excellent acoustic properties.
 

ctrl

Major Contributor
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Joined
Jan 24, 2020
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1,633
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6,241
Location
.de, DE, DEU
But I have no experience, what should i choose?
I like that polyester thing or rockwool 'cause of the thickness they provide. More leaned toward polyester 'cause less harmful then rockwool I guess.
To build "reasonable" absorbers, you need either the absorption coefficients at different frequencies for each material used or, even better, the length-specific flow resistance, then you can simulate the absorption coefficient versus frequency yourself with the appropriate tools.

Simply attaching any rock wool to the wall can have negative effects, especially in the upper base to upper midrange area.

To get you started, translate this website, it contains many tables with length-specific flow resistances, link to simulation tool and simulations of many different absorbers:

Or any other website that deals with this topic in more detail.
 

Ciobi69

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
430
Likes
274
To build "reasonable" absorbers, you need either the absorption coefficients at different frequencies for each material used or, even better, the length-specific flow resistance, then you can simulate the absorption coefficient versus frequency yourself with the appropriate tools.

Simply attaching any rock wool to the wall can have negative effects, especially in the upper base to upper midrange area.

To get you started, translate this website, it contains many tables with length-specific flow resistances, link to simulation tool and simulations of many different absorbers:

Or any other website that deals with this topic in more detail.
As he said every material has is properties in my case in my room i used rock wool and rock glass, the fibers cant go anywhere because i used a very ligth material like fabric,
 

ozzy9832001

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2023
Messages
405
Likes
257
I use rockwool and pink fluffy depending on what I'm trying to do. I find for very thick traps (great than say 10") mixing pink fluffy with rockwool gives the best result.
 
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