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Sound proofing panels and other equipment - What is the best out there right now

Due to my father-in-laws reduced mobility, my in-laws are letting go of their house and have bought a condo in a seniors oriented building. My father-in-law is a big home theater buff, and does like music, so the goal is to turn one of the bedrooms, approximately 16*12*8 into a home theater, complete with reasonable sound-proofing treatment. I am reasonably versed in acoustics, and so far, the several contractors I have talked to have not inspired confidence on being up on the latest "tech".


I would be very interested in any suggestions people would have for modern sound-proofing products they have come across. I am sure I can find a contractor I can trust to do good work, I just think they may need a push to achieve the best results possible.  The contractor can handle the usual issues with sound-proofing.


While money is always an object, the are fairly comfortable and can't enjoy all the usual toys any more, so an appropriate amount can be spent, and they are both in excellent health so will enjoy it for many years and hopefully it will become a hub activity with their friends.
atdavid

Showing 3 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
As others have pointed out this is both a complex and unfortunately expensive task. Traditional sound proofing routes such as room in room will not work given lack of space so the likely best option is a complete rebuild using a system such as the ASC iso damp method. My former room in Portland (see my system description) was built to this method as was Robert Harleys as described in AS earlier this year. Most contractors however can not cope with the complexity of this type of work. Look for a contractor that is experience in passive house (ie extreme energy efficiency) building techniques as these are the closest approach. 
Having done all you can the limitation will likely be the doors, this was something I was actually never able to solve despite a pair of acoustic doors into the room!
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Regarding suppression -- my system delivered close to 100% to the next door neighbors (this was in a row house constructed with an air gap between the two houses) but was still audible to the corridor adjacent and to the room above -- primarily bass leakage, and certainly not at a "disturbing" level but the other resident knew music was playing and could identify the track if it was one they were familiar with. Basically think of it as taking 90+ dB in room down to normal what you would consider acceptable leakage for a person with a TV in the room next to you playing faintly.

I guess this goes some way to saying that in a residential setup with adjacent rooms its very hard to get to 100%, which is why my new build is a garden room 60' away!
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@atdavid I just sent you a PM about the ASC isodamp system but I see you can access the file here -- it'll give you or your contractor a good sense of what is involved

https://www.acousticsciences.com/sites/walldamp/files/Product-PDFs/IsoWall-Install-Guide_0.pdf


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