FINALLY found easy-to-use foam for diffusers

[gremmy]

I've been looking for a polystyrene-like product that was at least 2.5pcf, already cut into appropriately sized blocks for a skyline diffuser, and easy to cut and paint.

Well, I just found something called Balsa Foam at Dick Blick's website. It's 5 pcf, comes in 1.5"x2"x5" blocks (just about perfect for ceiling mounted skylines) and will cut like butter with a hand saw. The 36 block class pack probably has enough foam in it to build a pretty decent diffuser (I'll run the numbers later tonight).

Here is the link: Balsa Foam - BLICK art materials

[gremmy]

After runng the numbers, perhaps my enthusiasm was unfounded. This stuff is expensive. You could get 2 diffusers, about 1 foot square each, out of a 50 dollar pack. It would take a lot of money to cover a ceiling with this stuff.

[Glenn Kuras]

Foam will not work for diffusors as it absorbs which you don't want a diffusor to do.

[boggy]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Foam will not work for diffusors as it absorbs which you don't want a diffusor to do.

I agree with you!

But there are many styrofoam (extruded polystyrene foam) diffusors... in the market.... they have similar problem. Styrofoam isn't that much reflective. Wooden diffusor is probably best... but expensive and heavy... then this is compromise for sure.


regards

Boggy

[SAC]

What compounds the problem is that diffusors made of highly reflective material already exhibit too much absorption, as Ron Sauro's very recent studies at NWAA indicating high levels of edge based diffractive losses have indicated.

They don't need any more!

[gremmy]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Foam will not work for diffusors as it absorbs which you don't want a diffusor to do.

I'm talking a polystyrene/styrofoam type product, Glenn. I'm not talking about acoustical foam, like the stuff that auralex sells, but rather stuff like what RPG makes their skylines out of.

The stuff I linked to is too expensive to mess with, IMO. But why wouldn't it work?

P.S.

We have lots of threads around here discussing the use of styroFOAM for diffusers. Did anyone even read the OP?

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by gremmy

I'm talking a polystyrene/styrofoam type product, Glenn. I'm not talking about acoustical foam, like the stuff that auralex sells, but rather stuff like what RPG makes their skylines out of.

The stuff I linked to is too expensive to mess with, IMO. But why wouldn't it work?

P.S.

We have lots of threads around here discussing the use of styroFOAM for diffusers. Did anyone even read the OP?

Honestly I did not look at the link, so if it is like the stuff RPG uses then YES it will work. I just saw the word "foam" and aSSumed.