DIY Acoustics Supplier

poseidonsvoice · « **on:** 7 Apr 2009, 03:26 pm »

Anybody heard of these fellas?

http://www.acoustimac.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=21

At least they are a source of Owens Corning 703 and 705 Rigid Fiberglass which is the basic component of any bass panels etc...

Best,
Anand.

rahimlee54 · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Apr 2009, 04:33 pm »

That site looks pretty cool, I may have to try it. If anyone has used it let us know, although isnt it against the point of DIY to buy it all premade?

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Apr 2009, 04:38 pm »

Their prices on the 703 core material aren't that great. Haven't ever seen anything from them up close and personal. Interesting mix of DIY stuff though.

Bryan

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Apr 2009, 08:39 pm »

I've purchased from acoustimac. The owner is Sal. He supplies acoustic panels to other companies in addition to retail sales, purportedly producing 600-700 panels per month. Prices on OC703 are much lower from wholesalers, but his retail prices seem to be reasonable compared to other retailers. I think that shipping costs are important to consider, and there may be a cost savings buying from a more local supplier. I particularly like the pre-sewn bags that Sal sells. They slip over an unfinished panel or a frame and have a zipper end. For DIY'ers, the bags are much easier to use than yards of cloth and a stapler and only slightly more expensive. Sal is a great guy and an audio fanatic, BTW, and has had tons of gear in his system over the years.

Notwithstanding, I would certainly not hesitate buying from Bryan and/or Ethan, who provide so much to the Audio Circle community and who are right here online anytime a customer or prospective customer has a question or problem. Cost savings aren't savings if the results are poor, and Bryan and Ethan's products are not anymore expensive than acoustimac's. Some of their products might be less expensive.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Apr 2009, 08:46 pm »

Quote from: rahimlee54 on 7 Apr 2009, 04:33 pm

That site looks pretty cool, I may have to try it. If anyone has used it let us know, although isnt it against the point of DIY to buy it all premade?

If you buy the frames from acoustimac, you might consider drilling holes in the sides prior to completing the panels. The frames are solid plywood (without any backs). I didn't drill holes in the sides of the plywood frames that I built because I didn't know beforehand, and I am too lazy to take them apart and fire up the drill.

TF1216 · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2009, 04:40 pm »

I have to be missing something by why is the OC705 more expensive than the OC703?

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 May 2009, 08:27 pm »

705 is twice as dense as 703, which means it has twice as many glass fibers per cubic unit area.

--Ethan

TF1216 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 May 2009, 10:56 pm »

Thank you Ethan for replying. I compared the absorption numbers at the link below and to me it looks like OC703 is the equivalent to OC705. Could you please tell me what I am missing?

http://www.acoustimac.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=4&Itemid=21

bpape · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 May 2009, 01:38 am »

You're not missing anything. For 33% less, you can get 6" of 703 instead of 4" of 705 and the 703 will kill it in performance.

705 is great if you're limited to 2" thickness for a LITTLE extra bit in the bottom. After that, 703 is a much more cost effective way to go.

Bryan

Levi · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 May 2009, 01:03 pm »

Thanks for the acoustimac link.

Whoever bought kit(s) from acoustimac, Can you post the finished materials?

TF1216 · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 May 2009, 01:07 pm »

There are other places to check out. Find where they are located and save on shipping ( :

http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/

www.readyacoustics.com

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 May 2009, 02:44 pm »

Quote from: tf121682 on 19 May 2009, 10:56 pm

I compared the absorption numbers at the link below and to me it looks like OC703 is the equivalent to OC705. Could you please tell me what I am missing?

Bryan has the right answer. When cost is the main concern, the same dollars buy 703 that's twice as thick. This absorbs much more than 705 half the thickness. However, there are other reasons to consider 705. It's a nicer material to work with, it holds its shape better, and it allows making beveled edges. 705 also absorbs bass a little more than 703. You can see a comprehensive comparison of three densities with and without the paper facing in two thicknesses here:

Density Report

--Ethan

TF1216 · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 May 2009, 02:57 pm »

Does anyone have an opinion of mineral wool?

http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=52

Would it be to the OC703 what the OC703 is to the OC705?

bpape · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 May 2009, 04:10 pm »

Mineral wool is less expensive - but a PITA to work with if you have to do any cutting. It's also not as stiff as 703, certainly not as 705. To me, 703 is the sweet spot between price, performance, ease of working, etc.

Bryan

mhconley · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 May 2009, 10:59 pm »

I just purchased six 2' x 4' x 2" mineral wool panels (Rockboard 60) and burlap fabric from these guys (no affiliation):

ATS Acoustics

I found they were less expensive than the others listed here. Also, they charge less for shipping if you buy from them on eBay:

ATS Acoustics on eBay

I should get the materials by the end of the week. The six 2' x 4' panels will end up less than $25 each including shipping, hardboard backing, adhesive and hanging hardware. I'll let you know what I think.

Martin

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 May 2009, 11:38 pm »

Thanks for the post Martin.

I also compared an ATS Acoustic Panel 24X48X4 (fully built) to a GIK Acoustics 244.

If you compare the Absorption Coefficients between the two products when wall mounted from 50 Hz to 4000Hz you will see that the GIK 244 is superior as it absorbs quite a bit in the low end (exceeding the ATS) but diminishes as you go up in the high end, which is what you want. The price is also comparable as well $59.95 for the ATS and $65 for the GIK (although you are recommended to buy a pair). Shipping is free currently with the ATS.

True...if you don't buy them fully built (i.e. DIY), you can buy a case of 6 for a bargain price as you have mentioned above. However, the GIK and RealTraps seem to have some advantages in that a membrane is built into their products for improved performance. We can also do this at home it just takes some elbow grease.

Thanks for the link man

Anand.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 May 2009, 07:10 am »

I think the Roxul and Knauf are pretty well priced. I realize they're comparable to 703, not the 705 that's so nice to work with, but for the DIY'er that's going to frame them it's not that big a deal. Please let us know how the service is (shipping time, communication, etc).

bpape · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 May 2009, 11:09 am »

As long as you're putting the panels flat on a wall, the back is fine. If you're not, the back needs to be removed or you're losing performance.

Bryan

rajacat · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 May 2009, 08:04 pm »

I have both the GIK panels (4") and the ATS panels (2"). I prefer the appearance and construction of the GIK panels. They have a cleaner appearance with nice sharp edges and the covering material is smoother than the rather rough burlap of the ATS panels. In general they look more professionally built .

-Roy

mhconley · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 May 2009, 09:16 pm »

I purchased the Rockboard from ATS' eBay store on Sunday 5/17, it shipped on Tuesday 5/19 and is scheduled for delivery on Tuesday 5/26. I purchased the burlap direct from ATS 30 minutes later, it shipped Monday 5/18 and I just received it. The panels will hang flat on my walls.

Martin

5/26 - Update - FedEx just delivered the Rockboard panels. I noticed how "bright" and "echo-y" my room was last night when my 6 year old was in the room screaming just to scream and I could hear the reverberation. I'm off to the local hardware store for some 2' x 4' x 1/8" hardboard and spray adhesive. I can't wait to see what these panels do to the sound.