DIY acoustic panels

[steve_1979]

Hi all. 🙂

I'm going to make some DIY acoustic panels over the Christmas period. Looking at YouTube I came across this video which suggests that using towels works better rather than proper acoustic foam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pABvTWSxOes

Any thoughts on this?

Also how do you think that towels would compare to Rockwool which is what I was originally intending to use?

 

[QuestForThe13thNote]

Hi all. 🙂

I'm going to make some DIY acoustic panels over the Christmas period. Looking at YouTube I came across this video which suggests that using towels works better rather than proper acoustic foam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pABvTWSxOes

Any thoughts on this?

Also how do you think that towels would compare to Rockwool which is what I was originally intending to use?

when he said ‘testing testing one to three’ without panels on the wall I noticed the window was open, then when he said the same thing with panels on, the window was closed.

I’ve always been a bit sceptical as if you’ve got a room with speakers that can breathe, no sofas in the way etc, you can still get the house sound of those speakers even without acoustic treatment. Some aspects of hi Fi are a compromise.

That said I’d be interested in some of these panels if you could use them in conjunction with a conventional picture, but I doubt it. I don’t think most people would not use these, unless you’ve got a dedicated listening room, as they kind of make a living room look ridiculous. hi Fi can be dominating enough let alone sticking these on walls.

 

[insider9]

Really depends on what you're trying to achieve. What's worth considering that the tests he performed are what I'd call pseudo scientific. You're room treatment mostly will focus on sub 5kHz frequencies so if a towel is optimal according to the video it doesn't make it a viable material. Unless you're a bat 🙂

Have you done any measurements of your room? Any particular issue you're trying to address?

If not to to the first one are you within a reasonable drive from Sheffield and would you want me to pop in with a mic so we could do measurements?

 

[insider9]

I'd also be careful testing such high frequencies. First of all they're directional so less toe in might be all you need. Secondly treating only high frequencies might kill all the air and harmonics making the music sounding less natural, flatter and not as detailed.

 

[steve_1979]

That said I’d be interested in some of these panels if you could use them in conjunction with a conventional picture, but I doubt it.

If it works I am considering getting some of my own pictures printed on the material to cover them with.

 

[steve_1979]

Have you done any measurements of your room? Any particular issue you're trying to address?

No I haven't done any measurements but there are no specific issues and I listen in the near field at a computer desk about 1.5m from the speakers (I already have basic acoustic treatment at the 'mirror points' on my desk). It sounds really good already and there are are no problems with uneven bass at the listening position.

My room is quite large and has lots of flat surfaces though so I am interested to see what difference it would make especially to the sound when listening from other places in the room.

If not to to the first one are you within a reasonable drive from Sheffield and would you want me to pop in with a mic so we could do measurements?

Sorry I'm miles away.

 

[QuestForThe13thNote]

That said I’d be interested in some of these panels if you could use them in conjunction with a conventional picture, but I doubt it.

If it works I am considering getting some of my own pictures printed on the material to cover them with.

thats interesting Steve, how would you achieve that. If the picture goes over the towels doesn’t it just mitigate the absorbing and dampening properties as the picture is effectively a reflective surface, just like a wall.

 

[steve_1979]

That said I’d be interested in some of these panels if you could use them in conjunction with a conventional picture, but I doubt it.

If it works I am considering getting some of my own pictures printed on the material to cover them with.

thats interesting Steve, how would you achieve that. If the picture goes over the towels doesn’t it just mitigate the absorbing and dampening properties as the picture is effectively a reflective surface, just like a wall.

TBH I'm not sure yet. I'll probably but some blank material and find a printers that and print a picture on it.

 

[insider9]

I'm considering changing cloth on my acoustic panels at the minute. There are websites you can specify what fabric and upload your own photos.

Steve, I'm not saying don't try towels if that's what you want. However with all the effort you'll put in I'd go for Rockwool. If you need it thin them something dense like RW5 would be my choice. Otherwise slightly less dense RW3 if you're planning to go thicker.

Rockwool will work on frequencies where towels will have no effect at all. A pack of Rockwool is circa £30 so not a big outlay. And one is final thing make sure you design them with air pocket which is as important as absorbing material itself.

 

[steve_1979]

Steve, I'm not saying don't try towels if that's what you want. However with all the effort you'll put in I'd go for Rockwool.

That's pretty much what I thought.

...And one is final thing make sure you design them with air pocket which is as important as absorbing material itself.

I'll bare that in mind. Thanks.

 

[ellisdj]

interesting reading comments.

why will treating the room kill the treble and kill the air.

What is air anyway? can someone please explain what air is?

If you treat a room with very thin material such as thin foam you dont kill the treble. I would be surprised if the high freq even changes much.
what you do is reduce the reverb of the high frequencies and then the excess reverb of mids and bass will overhang the treble and mask it.

However if you use the correct products you will achieve an even decay with no overhang of any notes. deep bass excluded, bass overhangs the most and is hence the suggested place to start. Most people ignore this advice even me, it was a mistake. Think bass first is my advice even if you think you have good bass already.

 

[insider9]

why will treating the room kill the treble and kill the air.

What is air anyway? can someone please explain what air is?

However if you use the correct products you will achieve an even decay[/b] with no overhang of any notes. deep bass excluded, bass overhangs the most and is hence the suggested place to start. Most people ignore this advice even me, it was a mistake. Think bass first is my advice even if you think you have good bass already.

Bit in bold was what I was trying to convey.

Upper frequencies can be easier dealt with by varying toe-in. By reduction of only treble region you would lose clarity as one of the things. Air for me is when instruments have space around them.

If you treat a room with very thin material such as thin foam you dont kill the treble. I would be surprised if the high freq even changes much. what you do is reduce the reverb of the high frequencies and then the excess reverb of mids and bass will overhang the treble and mask it.

Yes, overall you're right but it will depend on the placement. With my tuned panels I've had several issue due to incorrect placement of panels causing big dips in frequency response.

 

[jonathanRD]

I'm considering changing cloth on my acoustic panels at the minute. There are websites you can specify what fabric and upload your own photos.

Steve, I'm not saying don't try towels if that's what you want. However with all the effort you'll put in I'd go for Rockwool. If you need it thin them something dense like RW5 would be my choice. Otherwise slightly less dense RW3 if you're planning to go thicker.

Rockwool will work on frequencies where towels will have no effect at all. A pack of Rockwool is circa £30 so not a big outlay. And one is final thing make sure you design them with air pocket which is as important as absorbing material itself.

A quick search reveals you can get beach towels with your own design or photo for £28.

Edit - on Amazon there are Shaws beach towels for £4.95 plus postage - some of them are quite cool actually (well depending on your taste) *smile*

 

[insider9]

Most panels I'm using are tuned. I need acoustically transparent cloth not something that interacts in any way. And if at all the less the better.

 

[ellisdj]

camira fabrics are a good call they do several types that are AT. They send you free samples as well

 

[jonathanRD]

Most panels I'm using are tuned. I need acoustically transparent cloth not something that interacts in any way. And if at all the less the better.

I know, it was just a bit of fun *smile*

 

[steve_1979]

A quick search reveals you can get beach towels with your own design or photo for £28.
Edit - on Amazon there are Shaws beach towels for £4.95 plus postage - some of them are quite cool actually (well depending on your taste) *smile*

There are some interesting towel designs on eBay and Amazon.

 

[insider9]

Most panels I'm using are tuned. I need acoustically transparent cloth not something that interacts in any way. And if at all the less the better.

I know, it was just a bit of fun *smile*

Ohhhh, ok *blush* Too many serious subjects o here recently.

In that case I'll have a look 😉

 

[Gazzip]

If anybody is thinking about acoustic room treatments then this video of David Shevyn (Gik Acoustics) walking through the basics of acoustic treatment is well worth watching. He also dispels a few myths which may be relevant to the OP’s plight...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbQEBVDAY74

 

[lpv]

just get some decent speakers Steve.. these should works great in hollow space

 

[steve_1979]

Sounds like crap though.

 

[lpv]

pmc got an inspiration from a toilet bowl for transmission line magic..

 

[lpv]

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I bet that toilet would sound pretty good and it’s front and top ported too

 

[lpv]

in fact is semi top ported