Two carpets with identical patterns, one is however more plush (and expensive) than the other.

From the standpoint of accoustics, is one better than the other?

Will one make for a better installation since there is a riser and a stage with a radius to contend with?

Thanks for the advice.

Stu

The thicker one might absorb the highs a little more. The thing you want to look for is whether it will work on the edge of the stage/riser/step. Take a sample piece and roll the carpet over an edge like a table or something. Or you can just roll it by hand, but an edge of a table might help you see it better from above. Can you see the white backing through the carpet weave easily? If so, then the edge of your stage and riser will look like that too. You don't want to see the backing when the carpet is rolled over so you may have to go with the more plush carpet. This will be less noticable in stages with a thicker decking because they have a more gradual bull nose roll due to their thickness.

When you are testing the carpet samples, be sure to turn the carpet 90 degrees and try it again. Sometimes the carpet is great one way and horrible another way.

When I was first getting into this I read many books, and they all say a thicker carpet with thick pad is the the way to go. However they also said if you could afford it Wool is much better because the fibers are not all the same length like the synthic ones in the common carpets. But that stuff is pretty pricey, pick your pain I guess.

I did the thickest pad 1/2 and the heaviest plush I could get sounds great.