MichaelShaffer Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Anybody know where to buy foam for sound proofing? I'm building a cabinet for my computers and want to line it with 3 or 4 inches of foam to make it sound proof. Does Home Depot sell any kind of foam that works as sound proofing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love_hertz Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 ask mOOn about this he had an experiment going on about this about 2 weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancestorm Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 m00n, I was going to ask you about soundproofing as well for when I finish the basement with boards and drywall. I'd like your input on both his question and mine about finishing a basement with soundproof walls. How, what material, etc. Saw it on your site... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Want to reduce computer fan noise? I'd recommend some semi-rigid insulation to line the cabinet. There are some manufactured products designed just for that purpose, but if you want a readily available product at HomeDepot, take a look at the acoustic tiles made of fibreglass insulation. They are usually plastic vinyl coated and have a yellow insulation backing (NOT the Cardboard ONES!)... Mounting these with the insulation towards your machine should help attenuate your fan noise. Fans usually emit a mid to high frequency broadband noise (ummm... why does that sound like an oxymoron?) which is where these panels do well at. They are less than 1" thick. If you want to attack lower frequencies, you would have to use thicker products, which may not be readily available... such as Fibreglass 700 series semi rigid (ideal) or one of the AF series equivalents (you'd have to check the specs for products like AF110 and AF530). Again you'd be attenuating the noise as sound proofing is next to impossible, if your machines need ventilation. Good luck... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted November 3, 2003 Author Share Posted November 3, 2003 Well, I just went to Home Depot and bought 4 60lb bags of concrete I got some plywood too and I already ahve the form done. The walls are going to be 3.5" thick. Fortunately my computer is near the basement door, so it'll be easy to get inside with the dolly.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Hmmmm... and where will the air get in? Infiltration is probably one of the most important causes of sound transmission... so if you'd like a bunker, you should ventilate to a separate space where the noise isn't a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted November 3, 2003 Author Share Posted November 3, 2003 yea, that's the only problem. I was thinking of either 1)making a 120mm hole and mounting my 120mm fan to it and put a muffler of some kind onthe outside, or 2) drilling lots of small (1/16") holes in the top and bottom of the case to let hot air escape and cool air get sucked in. I'm not sure which would be quieter.. Since the walls of it are 3.5" thick (yea, it's gonna be heavy as hell, it's already 250lbs and it's only half done) I think the small holes thing would work, just because the sound waves would have to bounce pretty much straight out the hole to escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antagon Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 You preparing your PC for WW3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 ---------------- On 11/3/2003 6:30:14 PM MichaelShaffer wrote: the sound waves would have to bounce pretty much straight out the hole to escape. ---------------- and they will... easier than your neighbour's voice through plumbing vent in a typical apartment block. If you want to use "isolation" to insulate from sound... you'll have to block every hole into your room, as sound will easily escape through ANY hole. These will render your efforts null. Perhaps you could vent it into another room using two 4" pipes (in and out)? In actuality, you do not need the concrete bunker as I don't believe you have any bass frequencies that require mass to prevent transmission. Higher frequencies could be "attenuated" with some strategically placed insulation. Later... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted November 4, 2003 Author Share Posted November 4, 2003 I don't know, I changed my CPU fan but now there are a lot of low frequency noises. I have 9 fans in it and 4 hard drives so they create alot of vibration in the case.. I don't think a wood box would of stopped all the low frequecies. Maybe I'll water cool it.. 2 1" hoses wouldn't let much sound out.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 9 fans and 4 hard drives? Holy cow that must be a giant! I don't think that a concrete enclosure is going to help much in the way of sound transmission. Sound transmits by radiation, and while the enclosure might help to add mass, it won't block all noise unless it was sealed completely. Of course this is not practical at all. Most of the higher frequency noise can be absorbed with foam or fibreglass products. Foam may be flammable, unless you puchase foam made for the job. On the other hand, fibreglass is itchy. It would help to know the frequency of the noises, then the problem is easier to treat. If the cpu case is vibrating, try adding mass to it, like a heavy block placed on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael hurd Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 You could also add dynamat or other like product to the inside of the cpu case. This will add mass, if the problem is of the cpu case vibrationg, that is IF you have room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelShaffer Posted November 4, 2003 Author Share Posted November 4, 2003 If I had to do it over I guess I'd make something out of MDF with foam. Oh well I guess I still can, I just wasted money on concrete. I guess I'll try it though. At least my computer will be safe from EMP bombs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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