In wall dampening for speakers

[ex_directory]

Hi all, I am hoping to buy some in wall speakers (Speakercraft), they also provide in-wall dampening material but as the speakers alone will all but use up my budget, could I install some cheaper acoustic dampening material such as the Acousti product to help improve bass etc? Does anyone know if it will have similar properties to the speakercraft option? I have provided a link to the two options - any help would be much appreciated.

http://www.speakercraft.com/#Product...™%208%20System
http://www.acoustiproducts.com/en/acoustipack_stnd.asp

I couldn't find a better forum to post this in so hopefully it is the right one!

Thanks, Ex

[mattym]

You #could make something similar with MLV sheets or green glue, some acoustic foam and some diy skills

look at custom audio designs for foams and other materials, you need to build an enclosure in the wall that is damped and isolated

[ex_directory]

Hi Matty, Thanks for that info.

Am thinking along the lines of their FOAM/BARIER COMPOSITE SOUNDPROOFING MATS. That is MLV plus acoustic foam either side.

http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/...g/laminate.htm

[mattym]

yeah something like that, you must make sure that what you build for the speakers to sit in is isolated and secure or you could have a lot of problems

[ex_directory]

Thanks again Matty.

The speaker is clamped to the plasterboard (dry lining wall) so that should be ok. It is also on an outside wall of a detached house so not bothered about sound penetration out although my son sleeps directly above the room.

The original link suggests the material actually improve bass response? Does this kind of material dampen the sound, i.e. kill it, or does it bounce it back in to the speaker somehow?

[ex_directory]

Am just wondering, since I will be cutting away into thermalite breeze block behind the dry lining, whether I should make an mdf box in the whole, and then add the dampening materials, rather like creating a speaker box.

Will then be easier to affix the dampening materials to the mdf than to breeze block as custom audio designs tell me the stuff is quite heavy.

Thoughts anyone?

[mattym]

Originally Posted by ex_directory

Am just wondering, since I will be cutting away into thermalite breeze block behind the dry lining, whether I should make an mdf box in the whole, and then add the dampening materials, rather like creating a speaker box.

Will then be easier to affix the dampening materials to the mdf than to breeze block as custom audio designs tell me the stuff is quite heavy.

Thoughts anyone?

yes build the box, look at other methods of damping though..

the materials improve bass responce by stopping the unit from resonating, giving a more solid sound.

[ex_directory]

Matty,
What do you mean by other methods of dampening, would either the MVL or the MVL with acoustic dampening foam not be appropriate then?

[mattym]

Hi

yes they would work, but there are better materials available that will give better LF isolation, however for the purposes of your project you might be just fine with the MLV/Foam combo

[ex_directory]

Hit a small snag. Yesterday I cut away the plasterboard and thermalite breeze block. It is quite difficult to make the whole any bigger without damaging the surounding plasterboard (just because it is awkward).

However, with the cut away breeze block this has made quite a nice box in itself (with millions of little air holes). I am wondering how good a back box this will form? Or do I need to at least look at getting a thin line of insulation in there?

Ex

[PaulDavidThomas]

If you can, build a box. Use 18mm mdf and if you can stick soundbloc plasterboard on the inside of it and also use a sound dedending (such a word) to enhance. If you build a box, you will get much better sound repoduction. Make sure you buy screw for MDF. It will take more time, but it's worth doing right - I assure you.

[mattym]

i wouldnt use soundbloc, it would still resonate, damped plasterboard or mdf would be better