Soundproof material for a dedicated room

Sound proofing is a complex process. Using the proper products is a must, but the correct application of them is critical. You should get professional advice. Sound leaks from any bridge that allows transmission of vibrations - not just from wall surfaces. Sometimes a nail in the wrong place can compromise all the insulation!

The room should be so airtight that you have to take a deep breath, hold it, step into the room to listen, and then exit to breathe again. Anything less is not total commitment to audiophilia. ;)

Using Roxul Safe and Sound is a great way to help soundproof your room. The wife and I just did the media room in the basement of our house that is being built. We added the Safe and Sound to the ceiling from the media room and it was virtually pressed into place. A few areas may need to be carefully placed with caution if you have ceiling lights, make sure you have Insulation Contact (IC) lights in order to use the Roxul in the ceiling and close to those recessed lights, otherwise, you must be at leat 3" inches away from those cans in the ceiling. This stuff made a night and day difference in the room, wife tested by walking upstairs and yelling, could barely hear her. This was prior to the drywall install.

You can get Roxul at Lowes in 16" or 24" OC. The batts are 3" thick, but compress easily.

I also did our laundry room on the top floor. If you cannot remove the drywall, use QuiteRock drywall, anything above the 510 series would help you.

Good luck,
Ciao,
Audioquest4life

If you are 'serious, serious' it is not time to fool around with any of the suggestions already made. Only lead wall paper will work. Yes, there is such a product, and it is expensive, with professional installation. Children? Forget it. I used this product over twenty years ago to 'silence' a furnace as part of a basement media room. Work well. Also had the duct work treated to cut down on air flow noise. As all have said, it will take trial and error to find the best solution. Your neighbors must be part of the solution.

If the wall cavities are empty, you could have an insulation company blow them full of cellulose. I did all the walls, and ceiling of my room done when I built. It actually helps alot.