[GETRDUN]

I am curious to know if anyone has tried any of the underlayments that can be purchased from Home Depot for damping speaker cabinets? I was looking at this one:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MP-Global-Insulayment-33-ft-4-in-x-3-ft-x-1-8-in-Acoustical-Recycled-Fiber-Underlayment-INSUL100/100641168?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-VF-PLA-D23-Laminate%7c&gclid=CjwKCAiA07PRBRBJEiwAS20SILWT52O6jpFk17Gw18m1ROeS0oA5XCEjS6CXkC5Ngu2QGm-0prNGwRoCj0cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CODr0dXwgNgCFQSnyAodxkoEZg 

Here is the link to 104 different types of underlayments:

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring-Flooring-Tools-Materials-Surface-Prep-Underlayment/N-5yc1vZcdtw

Any opinions as to which one would be good for lining inside a speaker cabinet?

[mresseguie]

When I click on either link, I get:

"Access Denied

You don't have permission to access "http://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring-Flooring-Tools-Materials-Surface-Prep-Underlayment/N-5yc1vZcdtw" on this server.
Reference #18.748a45cb.1512995100.8838071"

 

[maty]

https://www.google.com/search?q=viscoelastic+damping

[jmc207]

The long link in the first post works for me. It if doesn't for others try searching HD for one of these numbers:
Model # INSUL100
Internet #100641168
Store SO SKU #885290

[JakeJ]

How about No-Rez?
http://gr-research.com/norez24x27sheet.aspx

[richidoo]

I've collected these links over the years:
1" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bonded-Logic-Inc-UltraSonic-12-in-x-12-in-Acoustic-Panels-Package-of-6-60600-11212/204153700

2" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/UltraTouch-16-in-x-48-in-Denim-Insulation-Multi-Purpose-Roll-6-Pack-60306-16482/202710055

1/2" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/UltraTouch-48-in-x-6-ft-Radiant-Barrier-30000-11406/100656748

1" - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y6SX1Y

Cotton insulation is very powerful sound absorber. I'd only use 1" thickness on low bass cabinets, and be willing to suffer loss of sensitivity. For midrange drivers the loss of transient response with such a powerful absorber is noticeable. imo half inch thickness is more than enough, use only on three walls of a box, not all 6. The 2" thickness is probably better for wall treatments.  ymmv

Damping panel resonance is just as important.

[Tyson]

How about No-Rez?
http://gr-research.com/norez24x27sheet.aspx

Agreed, its a superior solution.

[JakeJ]

Oh, I didn't realize this was an introduction thread. Hello and welcome to AC, GETRDUN!

[GETRDUN]

Thanks for the replies! Not sure if this is the correct place to put my thread? Should I post it under another area in this forum? Also, is this no-rez damping the best? It does seem to be on the expensive side Looks similar to the material that egg crate foam is made with?

[Tyson]

Thanks for the replies! Not sure if this is the correct place to put my thread? Should I post it under another area in this forum? Also, is this no-rez damping the best? It does seem to be on the expensive side Looks similar to the material that egg crate foam is made with?

NoRez is heavy and dense and attaches right to the inside wall of the speakers.  It does 2 things very well - First, it adds mass to the wall itself to damp physical vibrations, and Second it absorbs the back wave acoustic energy (sound) coming off the back of your drivers.  Egg Crate material is almost worthless in comparison.

If you can't do No Rez, then lambswool or denim based insulating material is a decent 2nd option.

[GETRDUN]

NoRez is heavy and dense and attaches right to the inside wall of the speakers.  It does 2 things very well - First, it adds mass to the wall itself to damp physical vibrations, and Second it absorbs the back wave acoustic energy (sound) coming off the back of your drivers.  Egg Crate material is almost worthless in comparison.

If you can't do No Rez, then lambswool or denim based insulating material is a decent 2nd option.

OK, Thanks for that info! Perhaps I can use the no-rez in the back and sides of the mid-bass area and use the lambs wool or denim for the rest of the cabinet? Do you know of a supplier for the lambs wool or denim? Thanks again!

[Tyson]

The blue jean material is available at Home Depot (and a lot of other places online).  Lambswool, I recommend looking on eBay for "carded wool" in the Arts & Crafts section.  It's a lot nicer to work with than the fiberglass stuffing many speakers use. 

Re: lining the speaker panels - I would use either the Blue Jeans material OR the NoRez to line a speaker, but not both. 

I also would be careful using lambswool in combo when using a highly absorbtive panel liner like Blue Jeans insulation or NoRez.  It is possible to overdamp the inside of a speaker.  The more you stuff a speakers air volume, the deeper your bass response, but your sensitivity also drops at the same time so you could end up with some issues with bass integration if you go crazy with the stuffing. 

[GETRDUN]

The blue jean material is available at Home Depot (and a lot of other places online).  Lambswool, I recommend looking on eBay for "carded wool" in the Arts & Crafts section.  It's a lot nicer to work with than the fiberglass stuffing many speakers use. 

Re: lining the speaker panels - I would use either the Blue Jeans material OR the NoRez to line a speaker, but not both. 

I also would be careful using lambswool in combo when using a highly absorbtive panel liner like Blue Jeans insulation or NoRez.  It is possible to overdamp the inside of a speaker.  The more you stuff a speakers air volume, the deeper your bass response, but your sensitivity also drops at the same time so you could end up with some issues with bass integration if you go crazy with the stuffing.

Thanks! I found some blue jean insulation at home depot. It's called denim material, so I guess this is the same stuff. Should I line all inside walls with it? Here is the link to the denim insulation, it appears to be 1.8" thick. They also have 2" thick as well. Would this be too thick?:

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Insulation-Denim-Insulation/18-in/N-5yc1vZbvevZ1z0pdup

[GETRDUN]

I also stumbled on this website, as not sure any of these foams would be as good as the denim insulation? Anyone care to comment on this?

https://www.foambymail.com/acoustical-foam-products.html

[JerryM]

Welcome to AudioCircle, GETRDUN.

I'm gonna' move this thread over to the Enclosures circle. 

[JerryM]

I also stumbled on this website, as not sure any of these foams would be as good as the denim insulation? Anyone care to comment on this?

https://www.foambymail.com/acoustical-foam-products.html

Can you describe your speakers? Just some basic size measurements, driver accompaniment, etc.?

[GETRDUN]

Welcome to AudioCircle, GETRDUN.

I'm gonna' move this thread over to the Enclosures circle. 

OK, Thanks! Not sure where I should have started this thread..lol..By the way, Geax Saints..lol

[dB Cooper]

I have used plasticine (aka plast-i-clay, Plastilina) in everything from headphones to loudspeakers, TT's, you name it. Works as well as anything I've found and may save you money as you don't have to pay the 'audiophile tax' for an 'audiophile' solution. This is where I learned about it with some explanation of how it helps.

[GETRDUN]

Can you describe your speakers? Just some basic size measurements, driver accompaniment, etc.?

I built the cabinets for a 2-1/2 way design. The cabinets are 41-1/2" tall, not including the base, and are 9" wide X 15" deep. The total internal air-space is 2.25 cubic feet! This is without anything inside yet! They are made from 3/4" MDF.

[GETRDUN]

I have used plasticine (aka plast-i-clay, Plastilina) in everything from headphones to loudspeakers, TT's, you name it. Works as well as anything I've found and may save you money as you don't have to pay the 'audiophile tax' for an 'audiophile' solution. This is where I learned about it with some explanation of how it helps.

Thanks! I would need quite a bit to line these towers I have! Not sure if it would stay in tack?