Acoustic Panels - Roxul Safe N Sound, Rockboard 60

[AnxietySwitch]

Been looking to make some absorption panels for some time now, found two materials to use - Roxul Rockboard 60, (costing me about $80 with shipping for 6 24x48x2 inch panels) and Roxul Safe N Sound - costing me about $50 local for 12 16x48x3 inch panels. Just wondering whether the Safe N Sound is a decent alternative to the OC703 or 705 (from what I read the Rockboard 60 is equivalent to 705).

I was planning on following this tutorial I found online -
YouTube - ‪How to make rockwool acoustic panels‬‏

I just wanted to see if the Safe N Sound would be okay to use, considering the costs and shipping and all that jazz.

[avare]

Originally Posted by AnxietySwitch

Been looking to make some absorption panels for some time now, found two materials to use - Roxul Rockboard 60, (costing me about $80 with shipping for 6 24x48x2 inch panels) and Roxul Safe N Sound - costing me about $50 local for 12 16x48x3 inch panels. Just wondering whether the Safe N Sound is a decent alternative to the OC703 or 705 (from what I read the Rockboard 60 is equivalent to 705).

I was planning on following this tutorial I found online -
YouTube - ‪How to make rockwool acoustic panels‬‏

I just wanted to see if the Safe N Sound would be okay to use, considering the costs and shipping and all that jazz.

How deep are you planned absorbers? The thicker they are, the better the low end absorption and the lighter material is more appropriate.

Andre

[AnxietySwitch]

I was trying to go for 3 or 4 inches? I figured with the Safe N Sound I might have to pack it in a little instead of just laying in two boards of the Rockboard 60. I just wanted to make sure either or would be suitable?

[avare]

Originally Posted by AnxietySwitch

I was trying to go for 3 or 4 inches? I figured with the Safe N Sound I might have to pack it in a little instead of just laying in two boards of the Rockboard 60. I just wanted to make sure either or would be suitable?

At that 3", the Rockboard 60 is more appropriate. At 4" the Safe n Sound.

Andre

[thefys]

Originally Posted by AnxietySwitch

Been looking to make some absorption panels for some time now, found two materials to use - Roxul Rockboard 60, (costing me about $80 with shipping for 6 24x48x2 inch panels) and Roxul Safe N Sound - costing me about $50 local for 12 16x48x3 inch panels. Just wondering whether the Safe N Sound is a decent alternative to the OC703 or 705 (from what I read the Rockboard 60 is equivalent to 705).

I was planning on following this tutorial I found online -
YouTube - ‪How to make rockwool acoustic panels‬‏

I just wanted to see if the Safe N Sound would be okay to use, considering the costs and shipping and all that jazz.

That sounds like a great price! Can you tell us where you found it? I'm also looking at the Rockboard 60 for my ceiling. Best price I have found yet is approximately $90 per case of 6 shipped at atsacoustics.com
Also, how did the installation go? Advice, suggestions, gotchas?

[Craigster]

For what it's worth:

I've recently been using 4lb RXL 40 (actual about 2.9 lb) for corner Super chunks and soffets. Similar properties to SnS. Works great!
Meanwhile, I've been using 8lb RXL 80 (actual about 5.8lb) for fronting my corners (stiffer front - on which to add kraft paper and support people leaning into it), and plans for both 3" and 4" and 6" traps.

I would encourage either Roxul 60 or 80 rather than SnS for panels. They're just firmer and will hold their shape better. If you are using an airgap, they will be more comparable to OC703/705. If NOT using an airgap -- then stay with the lower density SnS. That said: For panels: USE an AIRGAP!

[Craigster]

By the way, concerning Roxul products:
I spent a number of hours checking the Roxul website, looking at forums, asking questions, leaving messages for reps, talking to resellers, etc.

Roxul "rockboard" products (i.e. 2'x4' "board" panels similar to OC703/705) are listed by various names:
- RHT__
- RXL__
- Roxul___

But as far as I can ascertain -- are the same thing. The DIFFERENCE is in the densities. So, you might find locally RHT 40 & 80 or RXL 60. "Rockboard" or "mineral board" seem to be casual labels rather than actual product items on the Roxul website.

Meanwhile, AFB seems lighter, less dense.
There are "facing" boards with higher fire ratings (that have been tested, and cost a little more -- otherwise performing the same).
And Safe-N-Sound is marketed at some bigbox stores -- more of a batting product -- quite similar to the floppier 4lb Roxul (board products).

Please correct/edit any info. here that is wrong or misleading. These are the conclusions of my research.

Rule of thumb here seems to be:

For Broadband traps: Roxul 60 (6 lb boards, 4.5 lb really) is great. 3=4". Roxul 80 (8 lb) may be better. Stiffer. A little denser. Always use an airgap up to the width of your panel to increase effectiveness.

For Bass Traps: Roxul 80 (8 lb - 5.8 lb really) is great. 4-6". Use an airgap. Consider adding a Kraft paper membrane (for potentially deeper bass response, and reflecting back to the room some of the highs. This is the theory).

For BIG Bass Traps: (i.e. significant corner trapping)-- Use LESS DENSE material, i.e. Roxul 40 or Safe N Sound. 17" corner superchunks (24" facing) or 12" soffets -- or larger. Fully pack -- leave no airspace. The air already moves through the less dense material.

Craig

[avare]

Originally Posted by Craigster

Please correct/edit any info. here that is wrong or misleading. These are the conclusions of my research.

Rule of thumb here seems to be:

For Broadband traps: Roxul 60 (6 lb boards, 4.5 lb really) is great. 3=4". Roxul 80 (8 lb) may be better. Stiffer. A little denser. Always use an airgap up to the width of your panel to increase effectiveness.

For Bass Traps: Roxul 80 (8 lb - 5.8 lb really) is great. 4-6". Use an airgap. Consider adding a Kraft paper membrane (for potentially deeper bass response, and reflecting back to the room some of the highs. This is the theory).

For BIG Bass Traps: (i.e. significant corner trapping)-- Use LESS DENSE material, i.e. Roxul 40 or Safe N Sound. 17" corner superchunks (24" facing) or 12" soffets -- or larger. Fully pack -- leave no airspace. The air already moves through the less dense material.

A great post Craig. Thanks.

For up to 3" thick of material, use 6 lb/ft³
3-4" thick use 4 lb/ft³
3.5-10.5" thick use ~2.5 lb/ft³ (Safe n Sound) The hticknesses coincide with Safe n Sound thicknesses.

Have fun!

Andre

[MattMoorman]

corner bass traps: i am still am confused on a few points.

let's say a corner bass trap constructed of say 6" of roxul (safe'n'sound). could this or should this type of treatment have a limp mass membrane incorporated? as for facing, should this be done only if the room becomes too dead?

[localhost127]

Originally Posted by Craigster

For Broadband traps: Roxul 60 (6 lb boards, 4.5 lb really) is great. 3=4". Roxul 80 (8 lb) may be better. Stiffer. A little denser. Always use an airgap up to the width of your panel to increase effectiveness.

Craig

also should be noted that the Envelope Time Curve (ETC) response (measured one speaker at a time) should be utilized such that early arriving, high-gain indirect specular reflections can be identified (as well as their incident boundary or surface) ... such that post-treatment measurements can be taken once the broadband panel has been placed to verify that the high-gain reflection has been sufficiently attenuated - as well as being attenuated across the entire listening position.

lastly, the absorption should be surgically sized and placed as to limit the amount of broadband absorption within the room. the ETC can be used such that broadband absorption is placed ONLY on boundaries that are incident of such early arriving high gain indirect energy. eg, not all "reflection points" may require broadband absorption. it is best to first measure to identify problems, procure treatment, and then measure again post-treatment to verify the treatment has sufficiently addressed the original problem.

[Fireside Studio]

Okay, just catching up here.... I have a 7' x 13'2" control room, not the best, but all I can fit into my space. I know I need room treatment in all corners (and elsewhere for that matter) for such a small space, and I just came upon this thread. Are there any drawings on how these traps/absorbers using Roxul or Safe and Sound are configured so I can build them?

[Drywsef]

Originally Posted by Fireside Studio

Okay, just catching up here.... I have a 7' x 13'2" control room, not the best, but all I can fit into my space. I know I need room treatment in all corners (and elsewhere for that matter) for such a small space, and I just came upon this thread. Are there any drawings on how these traps/absorbers using Roxul or Safe and Sound are configured so I can build them?

You may find this useful:
How I built my bass traps...

These function as broadband absorbers as well. Good corner traps, especially if the sides are left exposed.

[Fireside Studio]

Thanks for the great read, lots of great information. I'm getting that building panels and hanging them on the wall will help tame low and mid frequency, but since my control room is only 7' x 13' should I have to use this design in the corners, where the corner is completely filled with Roxul as a bass trap?:
http://www.bobgolds.com/TrapHarder/home.htm

Or would a heavy panel using Roxul 80 straddled across the corner be enough for this small room?

[MattMoorman]

will some one please paste a link to a thread that explains/discusses whether to face or not face corner bass traps? i've read a lot of contradictions. some that it suggest it, and others that suggest against it.