Gobo Panel as an Option for long Home Theater?

[Jefferad]

I've setup my home theater in one end of a very long and narrow rectangle space in my basement - for simplicity, think 12'x40' ish. I have a ton of panels in the space between my seats and the screen including walls and ceilings which was a HUGE improvement. But, hearing ambient noise from HVAC and sounds coming down the hall from upstairs drives me crazy. And, my wife would appreciate any decrease at all in sound making it's way upstairs. While a permanent wall would be the best solution, I'm not sure I want to make that leap as it blocks off the screen from the rest of the space which is often used for entertainment while watching the screen from a distance. But, I'd love to block as much sound as possible. Any thoughts on maybe building 3 movable bogo panels on wheels to help reduce sound bleeding from the space? And, since I'm trying to block as much sound as possible, my questions include:

• should I build with a thin solid plywood backing or center (or even a pegboard with little holes) vs just cloth over Rockwool which I did for the panels on the walls and ceiling?
• If I do use a solid backing / center, is there any benefit to leaving an air gap between the solid panel and the insulation (similar to the gap I put when mounting other panels)?

Googling and searching YouTube shows many different approaches that seem often to be contradictory, so input is appreciated.

 

[ddude003]

Since you are trying to "block as much sound as possible"... I assume wide band... I would go with a solid backing maybe up to half inch, if you go thick, an air gap as much as you can do given your limits... Use MLV at the back... Pegboard for a center, with rock wool or the pink stuff at the front... And if your looking to keep some high frequencies in the room try some butcher paper on the front... Wrap the thing with your favorite acoustic cloth and your golden...

You might search the internet for a copy of Master Handbook of Acoustics by F. Alton Everest & Ken C. Pohlmann... There are several types and methods of acoustic absorbers described in this book... What I describe above is a hybrid of a few different systems...

 

[Todd Anderson]

Is this what you are talking about Jeff?

 

[Jefferad]

@Todd Anderson , yup. Do you think that could be a good solution?

 

[ddude003]

Those look nice @Todd Anderson and @Jefferad will need something much thicker for his application... I would suggest 12 inches thick at a minimum...

 

[Todd Anderson]

Maybe… I guess my concern is that you’re going to have a few issues.

One, every time you position them, they’re going to be different. How will that impact your Dirac room correction? You’re essentially changing your room every time they’re moved.

Two: leakage. You’re going to have sound finding its way around all of the openings on the top, bottom, and sides.

Something about this solution doesn’t feel right to me.

Have you thought about building a folding wall?

 

[Jefferad]

Thanks @ddude003 . I was thinking 8, but good to know that I should go even thicker. @Todd Anderson Yes I was thinking about the impact to room correction. Maybe I need to research if I can actually make a folding wall that applies a lot of the same concepts. Assume a lot of the same principles of design would be applicable. And yes, I know that a solid wall would be best.