Welcome to Acoustic Frontiers Blog

This blog article is the first in a series looking into the DIY potential of acoustic treatment. Today we are discussing acoustic absorber panels, typically just referred to by the shorthand 'acoustic panels'. They are also known as acoustical panels or sound absorber panels but whatever they are called they are definitely the most straightforward to build and therefore the most suitable for DIY.

In my mind there are four main types of acoustic treatment, divided principally by their construction and hence their application in high end home theaters and listening rooms. This article looks into the DIY potential of each type and lays the foundation for future more detailed blog posts.

Many, many companies make straightforward absorber panels. Absorptive panels are constructed with a compressed fiberglass / rockwool core (or other eco-friendly equivalent) and fabric covered. Most of the variation between manufacturers is in fabrics, colors and how the panel is made structurally. There are very few differences between the products in acoustical performance. In this blog post we review the product offerings from the major acoustic panel manufacturers.

Recently we became aware of a well established company called Golterman & Sabo (or G&S for short) out of St. Louis who offer paintable acoustical panels. The panels are called 'Pinta' and they are available in sizes up to 4' x 10' in thicknesses from 1" to 4". G&S can color match their panels to any color in the Sherwin Williams collection. Indeed there are over 1,500 colors to choose from, so now your acoustical panels can be exactly matched or contrasted with your room decor! Needless to say we signed up straight away as a reseller, so for more information or a quote for your job please contact us.

Acoustic Frontiers LLC is happy to announce that we are now recommending and selling Primacoustic's range of acoustical treatments. Of particular interest are the FullTrap and MaxTrap bass traps which incorporate a limp mass membrane not seen anywhere elsewhere in the industry and the FlexiFusor, an innovative adjustable absorber / diffusor panel.