DIY question concerning acoustic panel mounting at distance from a wall

[Vank]

Hey everyone!

I have build some heavy duty acoustic panels quite similar to these http://bit.ly/uFNoQa

Mine are 160 x 100 x 18 cm and weigh 22 Kilo's each

Now I have to find a way to attach them to the wall at a distance of 20cm, creating a 20cm air gap. (8")

I don't want to hang them from the ceiling for aesthetic reasons. (I want indirect lighting behind them)

How would you pro's do this??

[Glenn Kuras]

I would cut some pieces of wood, the length of the gap and attach it to the back of the panel, then hang.

[johndykstra]

8"?

That's far. Generally half the depth of the panel is the gap to shoot for, but I suppose more is better right?

You're going to have a hard time with the weight and the span. Given the design of your panels, have you given thought to constructing light boxes built to mimic the panel frame construction? Put a rice paper or something similar in the holes to diffuse the back lighting, and use cleats on the light box frame and panels so you can change the bulbs.

[soundoff]

I built the ones in your picture! ;-).

I have to say, I can't imagine wall mounting them. They are so heavy. To achieve your goal, I would add some stilts onto the bottom of the traps and brace them 8" from the wall....

OR... You could also hang them from the ceiling with chains or rope. There would be a way to do that so that it's aesthetically pleasing!

[cGoEcYk]

Why do those panels have holes in them?

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by cGoEcYk

Why do those panels have holes in them?

If the panels were completely open on the sides, they'd absorb 50% more on a 4" thick panel. The idea of the holes is to keep the rigidity of the construction in tact, while opening the wood on the sides so more sound gets soaked into the trap. Hope this helps!