Acoustic panels are incredibly important for recording studios, podcasting, and practice rooms. Their primary function is to absorb sound waves, stopping them from bouncing off hard surfaces. This eliminates any echoes and gives you a true representation of the audio you’re listening to.
They’re useful in all sorts of environments such as gaming setups and home cinemas, but in this article, we’ll examine the best acoustic panels available for recording and home studios.
In a hurry?
Here are our favourite acoustic panels for any studio:
| AcouFoam 30cm Acoustic Panel by Gear4music | Broad open cell foam design makes your room sound balanced and neutral | Check the latest price |
| G4M Acoustics Curves 60 x 60cm Panel | Effectively absorbs unwanted resonant frequencies, improving audio clarity | Check the latest price |
| G4M Acoustics Hiband 60 x 60 x 7cm Panel | Premium acoustic panel designed to enhance sound quality and add elegance to any space | Check the latest price |
The best acoustic panels
1. AcouFoam 30cm Acoustic Panel by Gear4music
The best choice for small home studios.
The AcouFoam 30cm Acoustic Panel is a 30cm x 30cm x 5cm soundproofing panel.
Its unique pyramid design maximises surface area, allowing for broad frequency absorption.
These pyramids, measuring 45mm, not only provide the classic aesthetic associated with soundproofing but also enhance the panel’s capacity to absorb sound.
Built from a specially selected open-cell polyurethane foam, our very own AcouFoam panels deliver effective absorption to increase audio clarity. Plus, they possess flame-retardant properties and feature a density of 30kg/m³, adding to their overall safety and effectiveness.
The AcouFoam panels are specifically designed to control mid-range and high frequencies.
This is achieved by combining thick, dense foam with wide-open cells, an approach that maximises the sound absorption of the panels.
2. AcouFoam 100x50cm Acoustic Panel by Gear4music
Ideal for larger practice rooms.
Like the previous panel but larger, the AcouFoam 100x50cm Acoustic Panel by Gear4music is designed for treating both home and project studios.
These panels are perfectly suited to larger practice rooms and are great when paired with the AcouFoam 30cm Acoustic Panels.
With such effective sound absorption, AcouFoam panels are designed to balance the sound in any room and neutralise unwanted reflections. They’re perfect if you want a super accurate representation of your mixes without the interference of room sound.
3. G4M Acoustics Squarewaves Max 60 x 60 x 14cm Foam Panel
Suitable for applications ranging from home cinema to professional recording studios.
Crafted from premium-grade foam material, the G4M Acoustics Squarewave panels deliver exceptional sound absorption
These panels work especially well when it comes to mid to high frequencies.
They allow for a significant reduction in room resonance and standing waves, and with a distinctive squarewave pattern, they both look good and perform extremely well.
The dimensions of each panel are 60cm x 60cm, with a thickness of 14cm, and they’re most effective for frequencies between 200Hz and 5kHz.
If you want to upgrade your studio, or you’re just fitting out your home studio, these panels are great for disrupting reflections and creating a controlled, balanced acoustic environment.
4. G4M Acoustics Curves 60 x 60cm Panel
A sleek and stylish solution for sound absorption.
The G4M Acoustics Curve Panel is designed to enhance the acoustics of any space while adding a sense of elegance.
It promises exceptional performance and durability thanks to its hardwearing construction of poplar, felt, and NRC polyester foam.
The panel, measuring 60cm in both width and height and 8cm in thickness, showcases a unique curve-like design that not only adds looks good but also aids in the diffusion of sound waves, thereby improving audio clarity.
They’re most effective with frequencies from 150Hz to 4kHz.
With a range of colours available such as white, black, poplar, and walnut, these panels also blend seamlessly with any interior design.
They’re a versatile option for a variety of applications, including home theatres and recording studios.
5. AcouFoam 50cm Skyline Acoustic Panel, Pair by Gear4music
A great choice for recording studios and practice rooms.
The AcouFoam 50cm Skyline Acoustic Panel by Gear4music is a grill-shaped acoustic panel suitable for studios and home cinemas.
It has been designed using specially selected open-cell polyurethane foam, featuring a grill height of 5cm and a density of 30kg/m³, and they’re perfect if you’re after optimal acoustic performance.
The panel ensures you can reduce unwanted reflections and noises while also spreading the remaining sound.
When combined with other acoustic treatment alternatives such as bass traps and monitor isolation pads, it creates an extremely professional level of sound absorption, giving you that studio-quality audio reflected back at you as you mix.
A fire-retardant design is also incorporated in the AcouFoam panels, ensuring their complete safety for installation in your space.
6. G4M Acoustics Wideband 60 x 60 x 12cm Panel
Adds a sleek and stylish aesthetic to any space.
For a versatile solution, opt for the G4M Acoustics Wideband 60 x 60 x 12cm Panel.
Its design is aimed at enhancing the sound quality in any given space, and because of its sleek and stylish finish, it always looks the part too.
Crafted with high attention to detail and quality, the design is focused on addressing sound waves that range from low-mids to high frequencies, reducing resonances and controlling unwanted reflections.
Specialist materials are used in its construction that ensure a superior level of sound absorption performance, which is necessary for accurate monitoring.
7. G4M Acoustics Hiband 60 x 60 x 7cm Panel
A more professional option for recording studios.
The G4M Acoustics Hiband 60 x 60 x 7cm Panel in Oak has been designed as a premium acoustic panel, with the aim of enhancing sound quality.
Its sleek and natural oak finish not only contributes to acoustic improvement but also looks extremely sleek and elegant – perfect for upgrading the aesthetics of your studio as well as its acoustics.
The dimensions of this panel are 60cm x 60cm with a thickness of 7cm.
Foam absorption and angled diffusion are utilised in this design, which addresses mid to high-frequency sound waves, specifically between 250Hz and 5kHz.
And for that extra peace of mind, quality has been prioritised in the manufacture of the G4M Acoustics Hiband Panel. Velvet-coated polyester and oak veneer have been used in its construction, ensuring excellent sound absorption performance and durability.
Why are acoustic panels useful?
In recording studios and practice rooms, acoustic panels are implemented to absorb sound and prevent sound reflection. This, therefore, reduces volume and natural reverberation. They also prevent any external noise from creeping in.
Acoustic panels are predominantly found in recording studios as sound engineers need them in order to capture the most authentic sound recordings.
NRC vs. STC ratings
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is the most common rating used for soundproofing panels. It’s a measure of a material’s ability to absorb sound, spanning from 0 to 1. An NRC of 0 implies no sound absorption by the material, while an NRC of 1 signifies total sound absorption.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) represents how well a material blocks sound. It’s a single-number rating system; the higher the number, the more superior sound insulation.
Things to consider when buying acoustic panels
First off, think about what you’re using the room for. A drum room will need more coverage than an editing suite. And the size of the panels you pick will depend on this too, from small 30cm x 30cm panels to ones with dimensions of 100cm x 50cm.
It’s also important to consider the thickness and Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating. The thicker the panel and the higher the NRC, the better it’ll be at absorbing sound. So, if you’re making music or practising the drums, you’ll want to go for something thick with a high NRC.
Once you’ve chosen your panels, you’ll need to install them – and this can be difficult. The trick is to work in opposites – put the panels on opposite walls to stop sound from bouncing back and forth.
And don’t forget about looks! There’s so much to choose from, from plain panels to ones with funky designs. Something like the G4M Acoustics Curves 60 x 60cm Panel could really jazz up your studio.
How to mount acoustic panels in the corners of a room
When mounting acoustic panels to the corners of a room, there are a few steps you need to take.
Firstly, you should cover the area directly behind your studio monitors as this is where sound waves are most likely to bounce back and interfere with the clarity of your audio.
Dihedral corners, the point where two walls meet, should also be covered.
These corners are notorious for creating echo effects – this is because sound waves bounce between the two surfaces.
One way you can attach the panel to the corner is by folding the foam to fit.
This technique allows for a seamless transition between the two walls, and you’ll end up with a neat and tidy appearance.
Alternatively, the panel can be positioned directly across the corner. This can be an easier way to install the foam panel, but it may not provide complete coverage.
Know when to stop!
The amount of acoustic panelling you need depends on your space and how much dampening you’re after. This can vary greatly from space to space and person to person, in fact, some rooms only have 20% coverage, whilst others have 80% – this is a big range!
As you mount your panels, make sure to constantly re-test the acoustics of your studio. This helps to ensure that you’re achieving the right balance and the sound quality is improving.
If you install too many acoustic panels, the room may sound “dead”, meaning it absorbs too much sound. This will feel a bit unnatural and won’t give you a true representation of your audio.
FAQs
Do acoustic panels really work?
Acoustic panels really do work when it comes to absorbing sound and creating an accurate representation of your mix. They balance sound reflection and absorption to offer the perfect solution to noise.
What is the best thickness for acoustic panels?
The best thickness for acoustic panels depends on the room and the frequencies you want to absorb. The thicker the panel, the lower the frequencies it will absorb.
What is the difference between soundproof panels and acoustic panels?
Soundproof panels are used to block or isolate sounds, whilst acoustic panels are used to manage the acoustics of a space by absorbing certain frequencies.
Final thoughts
Now that you have a better idea as to which are the best acoustic panels for you, why not begin soundproofing your very own studio or practice room? Check out our range of acoustic panels and accessories, alongside our ready-made packages, with all of the panels required to soundproof a room.
0 Comments