[jgpmhl]

I am working on my first pair of speakers (a 2 way design I bought a few of years ago from Shamrock Audio) and I am trying to decide on a damping material. Can someone tell me what the stuff is for?  My store-boughts ($700) have cheap foam in them. I was considering using either a thick textile (geotex) or perhaps the rubberized foam used to insulate hot water pipes in commercial/industrial settings - not that cheap, but it would certain dampen...
 

Thanks[/i]

Jim

[ToddSTS]

Parts Express (www.partsexpress.com) has a whole selection of speaker building materials including damping materials.  Maybe you can find something that will work for you there.  I made a pair of monitors using some of their viseolastic (sp?) material and then topped it with acoustic foam.  Combined with the structural rigidity of the design, they are pretty dead.

Note:  I am not affiliated with PE.

Todd

[ctviggen]

This book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1882580338/qid=1133528662/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/102-6005762-5447336?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

has at least one section (I haven't read the entire book) on the effects of damping material.  Damping material will affect the Q and f3 of the speaker, among other things.

[BobM]

A little bit on the expensive side but there's noting better than Black Hole 5 for the DIY'er. There are other options, and cheaper options, but this is still the one to beat.

Enjoy,
Bob

[jgpmhl]

Thanks for the replies.  I have been staring at that book for awhile so i guess i'll buy it.  Black Hole is a remarkably like the industrial pipe insulator (with an additional light layer and a thin barrier as far as i can tell).  And I will check out the other site.  This is really a very nice place to ask questions. A bit early - Merry Christmas!

[KKM]

Try lambswool, cheap but effective.