Which fabric with reasonable price for acoustic panels?

michaelv · « **on:** 22 May 2006, 05:40 pm »

Hi,
I plan to build more panels for my hometheater (bare wall right now). My current panels covered by burlap which now i don't think it would fit the asthetic in the HT room. So, i'm looking to buy different type of fabric, but not too expensive. Would you please recommend some ( and websites if possible). I appreciate it.

thanks.

Michael

Sonny · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 May 2006, 05:44 pm »

Quote from: michaelv

Hi,
I plan to build more panels for my hometheater (bare wall right now). My current panels covered by burlap which now i don't think it would fit the asthetic in the HT room. So, i'm looking to buy different type of fabric, but not too expensive. Would you please recommend some ( and websites if possible). I appreciate it.

thanks.

Michael

Fabrics? well, the most affordable is burlap...that's what i used to cover my bass traps, etc...

95bcwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 May 2006, 05:51 pm »

Quote from: michaelv

Hi,
I plan to build more panels for my hometheater (bare wall right now). My current panels covered by burlap which now i don't think it would fit the asthetic in the HT room. So, i'm looking to buy different type of fabric, but not too expensive. Would you please recommend some ( and websites if possible). I appreciate it.

thanks.

Michael

What is your budget? I mean how many $$ per yard? I just bought a bunch of fabric off Walmart at $1 per yard. They don't look at good, but if you're willing to go up to $3 per yard, you will get much nicer looking ones.

I think as long as the fabric is open-weave, it will do the job.

klh · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 May 2006, 08:08 pm »

I'm interested, too. I want something good looking, but not to expensive. $5/yd would be the max... $3/yd would be better. I'm not a fan of burlap, and I'd prefer to avoid dying muslin.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 May 2006, 03:05 am »

I can't personally vouch for them since I've never purchased from them yet, but I've been considering this from a company called ATS. The price is within your range and from all I've heard it's the "ideal" material to cover a trap. Much better looking than plain burlap, IMO.

BTW, for a very small fee they will send you swatches to see the material for yourself.

audioferret · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 May 2006, 05:19 am »

I just bought speaker fabric from Joanne's Crafts. Basically, it is a fabric company that you should be able to find just about anywhere. Speaker fabric is pretty much what it sounds like - Black, slightly stretchy, acousticly transparant fabric. Just ask for the speaker fabric at any well-stocked fabric outlet. They should have a roll or can get it for you. I just installed mine today.

www.joanne.com

I couldn't find it on the web site - probably under a different name...

Anyway, it is usually about $6 a yard. With their coupons (see circular) you should be able to get it in the price you want.

audioferret · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 May 2006, 05:23 am »

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-black-speaker-grill-fabric--pi-2102934.html

or....

http://www.alphasoundandlighting.com/proaudio/acoustic_speaker_fabric.html

and...

http://www.dvwarehouse.com/Markercloth-Speaker-Fabric-Black-p-12032.html

bpape · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 May 2006, 11:24 am »

For a smooth, basic fabric, check out the LIGHTWEIGHT muslin at JoAnn Fabrics. It comes in any color you want as long as it's white or off-white

However, you can dye it very easily using some cheap RIT dye.

Another option, believe it or not, is velvet. Some of it is thin enough that it will work fine (do the blow through test) for panels that are designed to absorb high frequencies.

Now for panels that have a scrim facing on them that are not supposed to absorb highs, you want to be a bit more picky and stick with the open weave burlap, or muslin.

Bryan

PeteG · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 May 2006, 03:30 pm »

Here's a link to my DIY absorption panels, you can not only make burlap look good but there are a lot of different colors out there too.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 May 2006, 06:08 pm »

I have a JoAnn Fabrics up the street from me and there is a lot to choose frome. For a good acoutically transparent fabric, look at Spandex. It is more transparent than regular grill cloth and also come in a wide variety of colors.

bpape · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 May 2006, 06:52 pm »

Yeah, but do the panels look good in Spandex when they get older

Bill Baker · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 May 2006, 07:25 pm »

Quote

Yeah, but do the panels look good in Spandex when they get older

I can only assume (and hope) better than some of the people around here that wear it. It's really scary sometimes. Some people DO NOT belong in spandek

michaelv · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 May 2006, 07:46 pm »

Thank you all for your advice. I will make a trip to Jo-Ann this weekend.

klh · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 May 2006, 09:39 pm »

Have you guys heard of Ponte Fabric? I talked to people at a local Hancock Fabric Store they sell it as speaker cloth. I'm going to go check it out today after work. It comes 60" wide and there are appearantly 16 available colors. They sell it at $5.99/yd. Definitely not cheap, but very effective. I've seen it as low as $4.29/yd online.

klh · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Jun 2006, 04:34 am »

Well, I checked out the Ponte Fabric and it will work wonderfully. I ended up ordering 38 yds! The lady thought I was strange, but I held it up to my mouth to see if I could breath through it... and it was like I wasn't holding anything up at all. The amazing thing is you can't see through it, so it'll easily block the aweful yellow coming from within! It's not the most beautiful fabric, but it works well, and the 60" width is perfect for covering a 48" tall 4" thick panel. I'd recommend it to anyone.