Next Project - Acoustic Panels

[Gordy]

My Dad came down a few weeks ago and he had not heard the Swopes yet. He is used to a Bose AM16 system so this was quite a bit of a change for him. We watched a few scenes from movies and he was blown away. He commented on being able to hear the tiniest detail in sounds. He and I both noticed there are a lot of sounds bouncing off the walls. The echoes are pretty apparent. The Effective listening area is only 10’ x 10’.

I did some research and decided I could add some acoustic panels and start to address the problem. I ended up at ATS Acoustics and purchased a case of their Applegate Acoustical Cotton Batts. There are 6, 2’ x 4’ panels in a case roughly 2” to 2-1/4” thick. This stuff reminds me of denim insulation but a little stiffer as it will hold a semi-rigid form. I figure with a surface area of 36sqft

I looked up several designs and how-to’s and landed on a combination of what I found. Each panel is 2-1/4” deep. They are constructed out of finish pine 1” x 3” boards from the Depot. This was perfect because I needed them 2-1/4” deep and of I rabbited out 1/4” on the back to recess some 1/4” MDF panels it would support the back of the batts and give me the depth I need. Best part, I don’t have to rip down 10, 8’ 1” x 3” boards.

I also decided to give them some shape. Most acoustic panels I have seen are just square boxes. I thought a perfect use for my new router table would be to 45 degree chamfer the outer edges of the boxes. I could also use my stepped rabbit but to cut that 1/4” out to recess those back support panels. I got a good start today and ran out of wood.

[Gordy]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

I picked up a Bessey corner vice. It is an absolute must for this application. Best $20 I have spent join a while. It allows you line up the material, nail, drill, and screw all while in the vice. It made putting together the frames quick.












I am adding 1/4” MDF strips to the back for support and to give the batts something to be up against. 1/4” MDF is cheap and light. It also adds overall support. And what audio project would be complete without MDF. I have had my crown stapler for over 10 years. This is only the second time I have used it. It works much better at fastening the 1/4” MDF as brad nails just blow right through it.

[Gordy]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Since I just routed through the entire board there are small 3/8” rebates left on the corner edges. The rabbit is 1/4” deep and 3/8” deep. I used some scrap MDF cut 1/32” over and glued and stapled it in place. Trim it off with a hack saw and sand it flush. This keeps the Bondo can in the above cabinet where is belongs.










This shows how the panels will be in the room. There will be 3, 1” x 2” above the 2’ x 2’ boxes on the back wall. Since I ran out of wood, I will hopefully build those tomorrow. There will also be 2 1’ tall boxes above the TV. These will have the same space between them 4-1/2” that the panels on the side of the TV have. They will be about 36” wide each and have a 45 degree angle on the outer top corners to give it some form. These will be covered in a Tobacco and Brown Microfiber suede cloth which I will hopefully pick up in the morning. It is also a lot easer to position and hang these while they are uncovered.

[rvsixer]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Nice work. After measuring and testing all week, it's apparent I need to do something like this myself.

[eyekode]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Checkout this thread for a pretty neat idea for covering acoustic panels: http://www.avsforum.com/#/forumsite/3207/topics/1316623

[Gordy]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Checkout this thread for a pretty neat idea for covering acoustic panels: http://www.avsforum.com/#/forumsite/3207/topics/1316623

That is a great idea. I wish I had more room to work with. I saw lots of ideas like this when I researched. I am hoping to finish building the rest of them today and maybe get a few covered.

[JasonP]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

I look forward to seeing them done, great job so far. Here is my far less impressive attempt at simple panels (tall that just rest on the wall): http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...ic-Panels-Wow! Another thing to consider if it is in your acceptable room style is diffraction sources, you can see fake standing trees in my post there, which work excellently for that purpose.

[the-jessman]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Checkout this thread for a pretty neat idea for covering acoustic panels: http://www.avsforum.com/#/forumsite/3207/topics/1316623

This link doesn't work for me, it just takes me to an overview page.

[eyekode]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Not sure why. Try this one: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/19-ded...-cheap-63.html
Or Google "DIY Custom-printed movie".

[the-jessman]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Not sure why. Try this one: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/19-ded...-cheap-63.html
Or Google "DIY Custom-printed movie".

Yup, that worked. Thanks!

[Mike b]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

I have a question that maybe someone could answer for me.....I have access to Acoustical Foam that is 1" to 4"'s thick.Could i use this as a treatment for my room and to make it look good use different shapes covered with speaker grill cloth?

[djhamp]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Here are a couple of the acoustic panels I made (out of 7 total). I would recommend looking at the AVS forum link, lot of info out there. I had spoonflower print mine on their performance knit fabric (acoustically transparent). I used a 1x4 frame with 3" thick insulation (1" air gap)

Spoonflower will print any picture file you send them, could be family or vacation photos - whatever! They really do come out nice, great colors.

[eyekode]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

I love the Star Trek poster! Colors do look very saturated. Nice prints!

[NickJ]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

Here are a couple of the acoustic panels I made (out of 7 total). I would recommend looking at the AVS forum link, lot of info out there. I had spoonflower print mine on their performance knit fabric (acoustically transparent). I used a 1x4 frame with 3" thick insulation (1" air gap)

Spoonflower will print any picture file you send them, could be family or vacation photos - whatever! They really do come out nice, great colors.

Nice looking panels. What kind of file specs did you need to send them (resolution/dpi/etc.)?

[Gordy]

Re: Next Project - Acoustic Panels

I finally got to finish the panels for the room. The difference it makes is very noticeable. When walking in the room and talking there is no more echo. Due to availabliity of material I had to substitute the brown material for a blue. I still think it came out good. There was also a frequency in the center channel that just really stood out in vocals. It was almost over powering. Once I put the lower center panel on the wall I don't notice it anymore. Everything sounds more crisp and focused. Overall I am happy with the results and it is one more step towards getting the room set up. My next project will be custom walnut end tables to match the speakers.