[ka7niq]

I have two monster 9.5 u ft 15" corner mounted sealed subs to stuff with it.
Kapok has documented, patented advantages for low frequency damping, surpassing wool, dacron, and fiberglass and foam.

I only needed a pound per cu ft for my subs, roughly 20 lbs, but I plan on trying it in my 801's, my Von Schweikerts, and my RM 40's midrange compartments.

Here is the best deal on it I was able to find.
Actually, Jay found it, LOL

http://www.zafustore.com/kapok.html

If you want to see the US Patent, do a search for Kapok speaker damping ?

[ctviggen]

It's patent number 6,338,395.  You should also note that speaker Q will change when you use the Kapok material.  Typically, this won't pose a big problem, because the difference will be small.  However, for the RM40s, you might need to redo the bass damping.

Also, the first claim in that patent is suspect in my opinion.  They appear to be trying to claim the kapock material itself, independent of any speaker structure.  That doesn't appear patentable.  It's also unclear as to what is being claimed.  For instance, if you're a manufacturer of kapok, do you infringe that claim?  Anyway, just an aside. 

[ka7niq]

It's patent number 6,338,395.  You should also note that speaker Q will change when you use the Kapok material.  Typically, this won't pose a big problem, because the difference will be small.  However, for the RM40s, you might need to redo the bass damping.

Also, the first claim in that patent is suspect in my opinion.  They appear to be trying to claim the kapock material itself, independent of any speaker structure.  That doesn't appear patentable.  It's also unclear as to what is being claimed.  For instance, if you're a manufacturer of kapok, do you infringe that claim?  Anyway, just an aside. 

I just LIKE the "idea" of having Kapok in my speakers.
It's "Organic" and "Groovy"
Makes me feel like the old Hippy I USED to be, LOL

I have seen other threads on it, mostly positive, and some of the European Stereo Guys are praising it, so what the heck ?

Plus, I want my Termites well fed ....


I have done extensive damping experiments in my Von Schweikert VR 4JR's midrange enclosure.

So far, cotton rules.

Tried wool, dacron, fiberglass, and THINKING I needed more Dacron, cut open a pillow.

It once was an expensive pillow, but my Dog chewed a piece out of it.

I cut it open, and this weird looking stuff came out, balled up cotton!

I tried it in the Von Schweikerts, and it is still in there, by far the best sounding damping for that driver/enclosure combo.

It has all the "aliveness" on zero damping, with no perceptable coloration.
Best of both worlds!

I did a variable density damping scheme, and it has worked well, so far.

The Von Schweikert midrange driver is crossed over at 200 HZ, but the cotton seems to work well up there.

I do also plan on trying the kapok in it, but right now the RM 40's are my first priority.

I also plan on stuffing my B&W 801 heads with Kapok and see how it works in there.

[BrunoB]

k7niq,

it would be nice if you could measure the low frequency response of your sub before, without stuffing and after modification. For instance by playing a low freq signal and using the radio shack sound meter placed very close to the woofer.

Bruno

[ka7niq]

k7niq,

it would be nice if you could measure the low frequency response of your sub before, without stuffing and after modification. For instance by playing a low freq signal and using the radio shack sound meter placed very close to the woofer.

Bruno

I know, but have no test gear left, sold it all long ago!

If the Kapok should benefit anyone, it will be me.
My subs use TC Sounds LMS 400 variant drivers, and are a sealed system.
They are very low resonance devices with 28 mm X Max I believe, maybe more ?

LEAP predicted sub 20 HZ in room, and I hear that.
They will absolutely rattle the walls, and the lower the bass it seems, the more they can show their stuff.

They use a patented Linear Motor scheme, a clever idea really Bruno.

What they do is wind the voice coils so the part farthest away from the magnets field has more wire on it.
This "evens out" the magnetic field.