Sound management for Home Theatre walls 1

[VinDogs]

I am a General Contractor. I am constructing a large Home Theatre room (21' x 24' with a vaulted ceiling, ~ 10' high) and the customer is concerned with high volume levels disturbing the neighbors.

We need to construct the sidewall at least to minimize / eliminate sound transmittance yet not alter the customer's internal Home Theatre system's fidelity.

I have heard of 'acoustical quilts'; I am not sure if this is the answer and if it is, where can I find this type of product?

Regards,

Vince

 

[butelja]

In order to minimize the transmittance through the walls, mass, air tightness, and absorption are the keys. Some of the things that can be done to minimize transmittance include:

1.) Use of multiple layers of drywall to create an effective mass barrier. The more you want to attenuate low frequency sound (i.e.-subwoofer), the more mass the walls will need. Along the same lines, wooden studs would be better than metal studs.

2.) Be extra careful to seal all potential air leaks through the walls.

3.) Avoid windows, but if there must be windows, then use multi-pane design.

4.) Insulate all framed walls, ceiling, and floors that make up the room to help lower sound transmission through the walls. In standard framed walls, the studs can "short-circuit" sound through the wall and decrease its noise attenuation properties. See #5 below on improving this.

5.) Use staggered stud wall construction. In this wall design, 2x4 studs are layed out in a staggered configuration (at a reduced pitch) on 2x6 top plate and 2x6 sole plate. Insulation is weaved through the staggered studs before interior or exterior wall covering is applied. All interior wall covering is attached only to the studs set to the front of the plates and all exterior wall covering is attached only to the studs set to the rear of the plates. This breaks up the sound transmission path through the wall.

6.) Additional sound absorbing materials within the room may not be required. If the room is carpeted and has plush furniture, then those 2 items alone will likely provide adequate absorption.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have 1 or 2 specific designs you would like compared, either I or someone else reading your post can help you.