Want to build a rack with sandwich layered dampening
Hi all,
I considering constructing a very basic, small, low two shelf rack to accommodate my somewhat compact components to replace my rather resonant Pangea rack. Lower, not as deep and a bit wider to accommodate access, but also keep it low to preserve stage between the speakers in my smallish listening room.
I’ve found some perfectly sized and precut maple (I think it’s maple will have double check). 3/4 to 1” boards that I’d like to sandwich together with screws, and place some sort of elastomer material between to control resonances. The legs would be basic but thick, and I’d probably just put spring isolators under them. Rack would be sitting on a raised hardwood floor.
My question: would using a sheet layer of sound absorbing butyl or some type of elastomer in between help or potentially harm sonics? Reason I’m asking, I’ve found sorbothane to actually have an adverse effect under components, with say stack audio pucks instead a purely delightful improvement. I know we’re talking about a different application, but still would like to get some experienced thoughts on anyone that has done - or purchased - something similar.
Big thanks in advance for anyone’s help!
John
For the elastomer material, look into WallDamp by ASC (Acoustic Sciences Corp.). It was developed to be installed between two layers of sheetrock when building listening rooms, but can also be used for the application you are considering. I've been in a room built using WallDamp (with Magico loudspeakers), and the resulting walls were very non-resonant.
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Oh, and I just remembered Green Glue, which comes in a tube like caulking putty. Green Glue is made to never completely dry, so allows a minute amount of movement between the two surfaces it is applied to. I think in order to work as well as possible you would need to not screw the two shelves together, but that is just a guess.
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Take a look at Gator Board (i.e., gatorfoam, or foam board) for your sandwiched damping layer. It comes in various sizes and thicknesses. |
Thank you all, these are some great recommendations and I really appreciate this… @dekay I was actually looking into the Lack, a bit too deep but not out of consideration. It could also be slightly modified if needed. I was also looking at a Tiburon” entertainment/tv shelf that looked promising. Made of a thick kind of balsam I believe. It was an opposite problem in that it was only 9-10” deep. Thank you @bdp24 and @mitch2 for those materials to use as a constrained layer. The green glue under a “floating” board is something I hadn’t considered. Cool idea.
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