How can I make my own acoustic materials?

If i remember correctly, someone on the Asylum did a "shoot-out" by setting up a room following Jon Risch's directions and then using Steve Deckert's directions. They brought in a varied group of "local audiophiles" and listened to both groups. The group pretty unanimously picked Risch's set-up as being far superior in terms of sonics, especially imaging. Like anything else though, personal tastes and installations vary. The fact that Jon "gives" his designs away doesn't hurt anything either : ) Sean
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If it's not documented, it never happened...if it's not validated, it's useless...that's what any QA officer would say about that. I bought the corner bass traps plans because they are massive(121 lbs)and right now the bass frequencies are travelling to the top and bottom apartments and that is not good. Steve assured me that even footstep sounds would be absorbed by the bass traps. I don't think he's a Vodoo man. Far from it. I trust his design.

Careful with rockwool inside living spaces: It is molten granite spun over rolls. If it's dry it will release asbestos-like particles in the air. Not good.

Psychicanimal, i have nothing to gain by promoting or belittling either Jon Risch or Steve Deckert. Both are making a valiant attempt to help people out. One does it by sharing his knowledge, designs and offering advice / guidance for free while the other makes / sells / markets various products and services. You be the judge as to who is more likely to "hype" their product. In my eyes, it would be the one that stands to make money.

As i mentioned, the results of that specific test were documented somewhere on the Asylum. If i can remember correctly, there were over a half dozen audiophiles that were involved in the listening test.

Either way, i wish you luck in your project. I hope that the bass traps turn out as your expecting and solve your problem. Sean
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Thanks, Sean. I have my neighbors complaining and it's a brick building!

Research costs money. Nothing's free. I talked to Steve yesterday and these people went through several prototypes before reaching the current bass traps. I don't think $29.95 is nowhere near a rip off for their time and efforts.

I would be wary of someone giving things for free because of lack of funds to sustain R&D, but that's just me...

Although I work in sales, I am a professional scientist (shit happens).

This is the formula:

Quality Control + Quality Asessment = Quality Assurance

Most people (even in science) equate Quality Control with Quality Assurance. Totally wrong. Control involves design & execution (process control), asessment oversight. The combination assures quality. If this is followed anyone can make good progress (ask the Japanese!).

Steve told me that he has made mathematical analysis of Risch's bass traps vs his designs. It would take many many many to equal one of his bass traps (according to his math, that is). Steve talks science when it comes to this subject. Totally non Voodoo. That's what I look for. After all, it's acoustics; it's governed by the laws of physics, right?

Peace to all,

Since we were discussing about tests and validation, here are some thoughts on sustainability, validation and quality control:

I was looking at the classifieds here in Audiogon and I ran into an ad for a 'cable and interconnect cooker'. This is what the website says:

"The break-in process is believed to be due primarily to current flowing through the conductors of wiring components. Dielectric stress caused by a voltage difference between the conductors is also believed to be of some benefit. The fact that it takes many hours of in-system use for wiring components to break in is primarily due to the low-level nature of audio/video signals from normal program material."

When one reads for quality assurance (and I did it for a living) one must watch for empty, inconclusive statements.
The above parragraph lacks sustainability, proof, or any other data sustaining what it says. The very first sentence is a joke! Believe me, I've seen documents presented by chemistry labs with similar statements! Just keep your mind open...