[David Ellis]

Mr. Elledge,

I need help with an acoustic substitute for my wife’s living room.  This product will be installed behind my wife’s paintings in the correct location behind my speakers.  These pictures are in the correct location to absorb the first reflection from the back wall.  I will also use this material behind other paintings around the home.  We have wood floors and the resonance is somewhat annoying.

After studying the Master Handbook of Acoustics by Everest (an excellent read), I planned to use the Owens Corning 703 behind the artwork.  After visiting 4-5 local lumber yards in North St. Paul, MN I found 1 supplier willing to sell Owens Corning 703 for @ $22 per 2’x4’ sheet.  This is… expensive IMO.  Is there a reasonably viable substitute?

In my previous home I used Owens Corning Acoustic batting above my listening room ceiling panels, and believe the Owens Corning Acoustic batting worked much better than the “Generic” Johns Manville insulation over the workshop.  The Acoustic Batting really seemed to cut the ambient noise (i.e. furnace airflow & street noise) much better.

Dave too

[genjamon]

I'm pretty sure you can order online for about as cheap as it will get.  I think I remember them coming in boxes of 6 2'X4' pieces, and my hazy memory is saying around $75 per box.  That would be a bit of a discount over what you were quoted locally, although shipping may add to that.

[S Clark]

How many sq. ft. do you need? I might be able to help out.

Scott

[dBe]

Mr. Elledge,

I need help with an acoustic substitute for my wife’s living room.  This product will be installed behind my wife’s paintings in the correct location behind my speakers.  These pictures are in the correct location to absorb the first reflection from the back wall.  I will also use this material behind other paintings around the home.  We have wood floors and the resonance is somewhat annoying.

After studying the Master Handbook of Acoustics by Everest (an excellent read), I planned to use the Owens Corning 703 behind the artwork.  After visiting 4-5 local lumber yards in North St. Paul, MN I found 1 supplier willing to sell Owens Corning 703 for @ $22 per 2’x4’ sheet.  This is… expensive IMO.  Is there a reasonably viable substitute?

In my previous home I used Owens Corning Acoustic batting above my listening room ceiling panels, and believe the Owens Corning Acoustic batting worked much better than the “Generic” Johns Manville insulation over the workshop.  The Acoustic Batting really seemed to cut the ambient noise (i.e. furnace airflow & street noise) much better.

Dave too

Hi Dave, good to see you here.

For a very long time I have been an advocate of using ductboard for these type of applications.  The advantage/disadvantage is that it comes in 4' x 10' sheets.  It is available in 1", 1.5" and 2" in different densities with the most common being about 4.75lb/cf.  It comes with several different backings, the most common being type FSK (foil, scrim, kraft paper).  The backing works well for a couple of reasons.  When spaced away from the wall by as little as 1/4" it will work as a diaphragmatic absorber and get some of the lower midrange and upper bass energy that seems to always be in abundance.  The surface of the exposed glass is treated with a binder layer to prevent spalling the fibers and that'll keep everyone's respiratory systems happy.  I just peel the FSK backing off of 1" and stack it when I need thicker material, usually.

The thing that I like the best about ductboard is the pricing: < $1.00/sf in the 1" thickness here in Albuquerque.  Commercial insulation places usually have it and it is made by a lot of different manufacturers.

Here is a link to the brand available in many areas that I have extensive experience using: http://www.knaufusa.com/products/commercial__industrial/air_handling_insulation/duct_board_m_with_ecose%C2%AE_tech.aspx  It can be had without the black cover mat, too.

Dave, again

[Vapor Audio]

At a local commercial building supply place I found Johns-Manville 4'x8' sheets, 2" thick for $33.  That gives you 2'x4' sheets for about $8 each.  The same place also had Roxul AFB for $26 a bundle, 8 sheets of 2'x4' at 3.5" thick ... that's cheap!  I bought enough to make my listening room into an anechoic chamber if I wanted. 

[jtwrace]

You'll save BIG MONEY AT MENARDS!!!   

[David Ellis]

I was hoping to purchase a reasonable quantity of 703.  During my search (including Menards), I was initially optimistic because 1 lumber yard initially conveyed an ability to obtain the 703 for $6 per 2'x4' sheet in a quantity of 44 sheets.  Unfortunately, that was the price for 701 - BAH  !  Owens Corning 703 was $4x more expensive.

Shipping is a problem due to the size of the stuff.  UPS would destroy it.  USPS is viable for a small quanity.

You'll save BIG MONEY AT MENARDS!!! 

I checked Menards and they no longer sell Owens Corning fiberglass materials in St. Paul, MN.  Menards sells Owens Corning foam products, but not fiberglass.  Perhaps this changed in recent years.  I checked Home Depot and Lowest too - no dice.

I am really looking for a substitue product that is reasonably good and locally available.

[David Ellis]

If I have to mail order the stuff, is this okay?

http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Roxul-Acoustical-Fire-Batts-Mineral-Wool-2-inch-Case-of-6--1006.html

Dave

[murphy11]

Have you checked these guys out?

SPI
5262 Glenbrook Avenue N Oakdale
USA, MN
55128 (651) 777-8222

[mikeeastman]

Check out this post might be helpful?

  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=94455.msg942703;topicseen#new

[jlafrenz]

Roxul 60

http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--Fiberglass-and-Mineral-Wool-Batts-and-Boards--106.html

[dBe]

If I have to mail order the stuff, is this okay?

Dave

In lower densities like 703, etc, I prefer the rock wool products.  They are less of an irritant - meaning the fibers are more benign.  Check out the MSDS on each of the materials.  Neither one is good, but glass is really nasty.  The .5lb/cf difference is miniscule when you look at actual performance. 

Mike's recommendation below is an excellent one especially with children in the house, but a bit pricier.  I prefer organic fibers for every application IF there is a viable product.

Dave, again

[Atlplasma]

In lower densities like 703, etc, I prefer the rock wool products.  They are less of an irritant - meaning the fibers are more benign.  Check out the MSDS on each of the materials.  Neither one is good, but glass is really nasty.  The .5lb/cf difference is miniscule when you look at actual performance. 

Mike's recommendation below is an excellent one especially with children in the house, but a bit pricier.  I prefer organic fibers for every application IF there is a viable product.

Dave, again

I have real concerns about fiberglass bats as well. The fibers can get into the air and once in your lungs become permanently encapsulated in your lungs (with uncertain consequences). What do you think of this product as a alternative?

http://enguardinsulation.com/

[jtwrace]

I have no idea how well it would work for acoustic treatments but I used this stuff inside my aluminum subs along with Polyfill. 

http://www.soundprooffoam.com/quiet-batt-insulation.html

Technical Data http://www.soundprooffoam.com/pdf/Quiet-Batt-Insulation.pdf

[dBe]

I have real concerns about fiberglass bats as well. The fibers can get into the air and once in your lungs become permanently encapsulated in your lungs (with uncertain consequences). What do you think of this product as a alternative?

http://enguardinsulation.com/

It looks to have great potential for low density applications.  Kind of like fiberfill on steroids.  If it was available compressed into 3-5lb/cf semi-rigid boards - that would be awesome!

Dave

[dBe]

I have no idea how well it would work for acoustic treatments but I used this stuff inside my aluminum subs along with Polyfill. 

http://www.soundprooffoam.com/quiet-batt-insulation.html

Technical Data http://www.soundprooffoam.com/pdf/Quiet-Batt-Insulation.pdf

QuietBatt is awesome.  Again, we need some of this in semi-rigid for applied treatment application.

My idea of an ideal product would be a cotton/wool blend.  Wool fibers are hollow - like Acousta-stuf. Adiabatics at its' best!

Dave

[Atlplasma]

Wool insulation is used for eco construction. Batts are available.

http://www.eco-buildingproducts.com/products-page/black-mountain-usa/16-sheeproll-natural-wool-insulation-roll/

[DTB300]

I prefer Acoustical Cotton either in bulk (fluffy) or Bonded over fiberglass.  It comes in many sizes for your use.

I have used this company with great success - excellent help and quick shipping.

http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/

[jtwrace]

I prefer Acoustical Cotton either in bulk (fluffy) or Bonded over fiberglass.  It comes in many sizes for your use.

I have used this company with great success - excellent help and quick shipping.

http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/

You do know who owns that company right?

[dBe]

You do know who owns that company right?

It's Mr. Pape, right?  GIK makes good stuff (too) IMO.

Dave