[lowella]

I have a tough decision to make. I was designing my 2-channel audio mancave with 10' ceilings in mind, but wasn't really thinking about rafters or what they would do. Further, I want to isolate the sound as much as possible so the builder is now proposing a dropped ceiling to deaden the sound. It seems like a good idea but I'm not sure how much I'll lose going from 10' to 9' - but the size of the room is not set in stone so I could modify it using the formulas, based on 9' ceilings.


This might be tough to comment on, but has anyone been in a similar situation? Thanks,

 

[Ethan Winer]

A standard drop ceiling will do nothing to prevent sound from going upstairs. Bass is the main problem, and standard office type ceiling tiles have no effect at those frequencies. One common solution is a solid drywall ceiling hung with resilient channel, and/or Green Glue. But even if the ceiling is 100 percent isolated, sound striking the walls easily bypasses the ceiling and travels upstairs that way. Unfortunately, truly effective sound isolation is both complicated and expensive.


--Ethan

 

[lowella]

Thank you much, that answers the question very well! What else do you recommend? What is resilient channel? (I will start researching it) - I am familiar with green glue, but have seen varying opinions on it.

 

[Ethan Winer]

Green Glue is a very good product. If someone has an unfavorable "opinion" about it they probably didn't apply it correctly, or maybe their expectations were too high.


--Ethan

 

[lowella]

Thank you, Ethan. I'd be curious if you've used sonopam acoustical ceiling products as well, I'm looking into those and green glue. I appreciate it. Will likely purchase that book of yours I just noticed!

 

[Ethan Winer]

I've never heard of Sonopam and Google wasn't much help. The keys to isolation are mass and air space, and in the case of Green Glue, damping.


I'm sure you'll find my book useful and educational.

--Ethan