Selecting the Right Acoustic Material

We stock a variety of acoustic materials to make sure whatever your project calls for is readily available. All these materials are good sound absorbers, but there are some differences. Here's how these materials stack up.

Product Name Density
lbs/ft3
125 Hz. 500 Hz. 1000 Hz. 4000 Hz. NRC Rigidity Price/sq.ft.
Roxul AFB 1" 2.5 lb. 0.14 0.65 0.90 1.01 0.70 Flexible $0.51
Plus: Great sound absorption, low cost. Excellent choice for limited spaces when strength and rigidity are not needed. Minus: Flexible like a batt or blanket. Not a problem if supported by a frame, fabric, etc.

Roxul AFB 2" 2.5 lb. 0.28 1.09 1.09 1.07 0.95 Flexible $1.03
Plus: Excellent sound absorption, low cost. Best choice when strength and rigidity are not needed. Minus: Flexible like a batt or blanket. Not a problem if supported by a frame, fabric, etc.

Roxul Rockboard 60 6 lb. 0.32 1.06 1.02 1.04 0.95 Rigid $2.20
Plus: Excellent sound absorption. Lower cost than 703 and 705. Good strength and rigidity. Best choice for an effective, affordable, rigid product. Minus: More expensive than AFB if you don't need a rigid material.

Rockwool Comfortboard 80 8 lb. 0.43 0.90 0.97 1.00 0.90 Rigid $3.10
Plus: Excellent low freq sound absorption. Lower cost than 705. Good strength and rigidity. Minus: Does not absorb mid to high frequencies quite as well as Rockboard 60.

ATS Acoustics Rigid Fiberglass Board 1" 3 lb. 0.06 0.75 0.99 1.02 0.75 Rigid $0.85
Plus: An exact substitute for 703 at a better price. Minus: You get more sound absorption from a 2-inch material.

ATS Acoustics Rigid Fiberglass Board 2" 3 lb. 0.29 1.11 1.13 1.03 1.00 Rigid $1.44
Plus: An exact substitute for 703 at a better price. Minus: A little more expensive than AFB and Rockboard 60 for the same sound absorption.

Knauf ECOSEŽ 1" 3lb 3 lb. 0.08 0.62 0.88 0.99 0.65 Rigid $0.87
Plus: A more eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free substitute for 703 at a similar price.

Knauf ECOSEŽ 2" 3lb 3 lb. 0.29 1.11 1.13 1.03 1.00 Rigid $1.99
Plus: An eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free sustainable insulation board. Similar to Owens Corning 703 insulation.

Knauf ECOSEŽ Black Acoustical Board 2" 3 lb. 0.33 1.07 1.07 1.06 0.95 Rigid $4.66
Plus: An eco-friendly, formaldehyde free sustainable insulation board. Designed as an acoustical/visual barrier for wall and ceilings where black surface is required.

Owens-Corning 703 4" 3 lb. 0.84 1.24 1.08 0.97 1.15 Rigid $3.07
Plus: Good low frequency absorption, strong and rigid. Minus: More expensive than two layers of Rockboard or AFB.

Owens-Corning 703 2" 3 lb. 0.17 1.14 1.07 0.98 1.00 Rigid $1.77
Plus: Well known product. Good for small projects where cost is not a big concern. Minus: More expensive than AFB and Rockboard 60 for the same sound absorption.

Owens-Corning 703 1" 3 lb. 0.11 0.68 0.90 0.96 0.70 Rigid $0.81
Plus: Familar brand name, moderate strength and rigidity. Minus: High cost, lower sound absorption (NRC) because it is only 1" thick.

Owens-Corning 705 2" 6 lb. 0.16 1.02 1.01 0.99 0.95 Rigid $4.57
Plus: Strongest surface resists damage (like stiff styrofoam). Minus: Expensive. Rockboard 60 is usually a better choice.

Owens-Corning 705 1" 6 lb. 0.02 0.63 0.85 0.95 0.65 Rigid $2.40
Plus: Familar brand name, good strength and rigidity. Minus: High cost, lower NRC because it is only 1" thick.

ATS Recycled Cotton 2" 2.5 lb. 0.27 1.17 1.15 1.06 1.05 Flexible $1.95
Plus: Excellent sound absorption. High recycled content makes it the most eco-friendly choice. Minus: Flexible like a batt or blanket. Not a problem if supported by a frame, fabric, etc.

Owens-Corning 703 FRK 2" 3 lb. 0.63 0.95 0.79 0.35 0.75 Rigid $3.41
Plus: Excellent sound absorption. Most popular material for acoustic absorption. Minus: The cost is higher that other insulation products, and some high-end frequencies will be reflected.

Sound absorption coefficients are measured with the material in Type A mounting, flat against a solid backing. Bass absorption may be enhanced using corner mounting or increasing thickness with additional layers of material.

Our ready-to-hang ATS Acoustic panels are built using the 2.5 lb/ft3 Roxul AFB, for solid broadband absorption in Type A mounting at an exceptional price. Roxul's AFB is also known for exceptional fire characteristics and resistance to sag over time.

Why ATS?

Customer Comments

Panels are up at Dms12 New Digital Style Studios. Big thanks ATS Acoustics for such a great product!
- Diego
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