Acoustic foam, commonly referred to as sound absorbing foam or soundproof foam, is available in a variety of colors, patterns, thicknesses and NRC (noise reduction coefficient) ratings. Manufactured from a polyurethane or melamine foam core, they can be in the form of wall or ceiling panels, corner bass traps, ceiling tiles, ceiling clouds and hanging baffles. These products are used in home theaters, recording studios, broadcast studios, auditoriums, cinemas churches, classrooms and many other facilities to improve soundproofing via absorption or correct a noise problem.
The Nankarrow range of acoustical foams is our premier brand of acoustic foam available in several colors and profiles, such as pyramid, wedge, eggshell, and flat patterns. Nankarrow foam can also be mounted on wood/MDF/Bisonboard panels to improve sound proofing abilities.
The Nankarrow range of acoustic foams from Russia are an industry recognized standard for reducing noise. Nankarrow provides a large selection of materials for ceiling and wall applications.
Advantages of Soundproofing Acoustic Foam
Soundproofing via absorption
Just like light, sound waves can pass through even the smallest hole or opening in holes, walls, or any material. Acoustic foams can reduce noise pollution and sound leakage as they remove echoes and background sounds not by blocking the sound but by absorbing it.
Enhance sound quality
Acoustic foams are cut in tiles with different profiles such as egg, pyramid, wedge, and square shapes depending on the application. They work not only to absorb sounds, but also to enhance the quality of sound and speech in a room. Dealing with both mid and high frequencies at the same time, acoustic foam can also be counted as a type of cost-friendly heat reduction facility that is placed in corners of the room or wherever optimal sound mixes are needed as bass traps to minimize sound echoes.
The basic principle is that acoustic foams reducing the amplitude of the sound waves by dissipating the sound energy as heat. To enhance this effect, there must ideally be a good air gap between the foam panels and the walls. This provides a wider surface area of the foam panels to incident waves thereby expanding the amount of absorption. However, when this is not possible, the Nankarrow NeoMax pyramid profile generally provides the largest surface area for absorption.
Improve design
Most people consider acoustic foams for their music studio or work areas so they can have more privacy and concentration in doing their work. Acoustic foam is made from open cell polyurethane foam and available in stunning colours like Purple and Burgundy, and the pyramid, wedge, and flat profiles look amazing aesthetically and naturally improve room design.
There are a variety of colors and textures of acoustic foam and you may want to incorporate the theme to your home’s interior design. Some people choose to apply a contour effect to add sophistication and elegance in the room. In addition, acoustic foams also are available in different sizes and thickness and these can be attached to walls, ceilings, doors and other parts of a room.
Before designing a room, it is important not only to look after the leaks, flooring, wall paint, ceiling height, and many of the fixtures. To treat and control sound coming in and out of the room, you know that setting up curtains is not the brightest idea. Rather, installing acoustic foams that attenuate airborne sound waves should be part of the plan from the start to effectively eliminate resonance within the room. It is an inexpensive way to soundproof the walls or decrease the volume of desired area in your home.
Types of Acoustic Foam
Wedge Acoustic Foam
These feature wedges sticking out of the base. This allows for a polarised design. The advantage is that there is only a single direction along which the sound will be absorbed. You should position the wedges approximately perpendicular to the expected propagation of the impinging sound and you will get the maximum absorption effect. If your studio monitors are placed vertically, the wedges should be placed horizontally.
- Maximum absorption only along one axis
- Prevents destructive specular reflections
- Eliminates room modes, comb filtering, standing waves and undesirable specular artifacts
- Attenuates sound pressure build-up in rooms
Pyramid Acoustic Foam
Pyramid foam’s unique design offers slightly different performance characteristics than other cuts, with its greater surface area. The four sides, rather than the two of the wedge, provide extra diffusion but slightly less absorption for different usage styles and needs. This is very advantageous because this foam provides the flattest response and doesn’t “deaden” a room completely. Most recording studios prefer using pyramid acoustic foam.
- Reduces destructive specular reflections
- Reduces room modes
- Reduces comb filtering
- Reduces standing waves
- Attenuates sound pressure build-up in rooms
Square Grid Acoustic Foam
Square grid panels offer impressive mid- and high-frequency absorption and a very elegant look that makes them a great addition to any recording studio, home theater or listening room. These are the most aesthetically pleasing panels and are always highly in demand from interior decorators and architects, especially for ceilings.
- Perfect for ceilings
- Aesthetically appealing for modern design
- Reduces destructive specular reflections
- Reduces standing waves
- Attenuates sound pressure build-up in rooms
Quadratic Residue Acoustic Foam
This is one of the most advanced acoustic foam profiles available. The differing heights of protrusions serve to spread sonic energy out into the room causing more scattered reflections, as well as each absorbing a slightly different slice of the frequency spectrum. It takes slightly different amounts of time for sound waves to travel through the different sections of the quadratic acoustic foam, strike the mounting surface and travel back through the foam into the room, so wavefronts are in effect softened rather than just being absorbed. This is why a room treated with Nankarrow NeoFuse acoustic foam room will retain a bit more “feel” than a room that’s treated with a stronger acoustic absorber like Wedges or Pyramids.
- Excellent balance of absorption and diffusion
- Creates a feeling of spaciousness even in small rooms
- Broadens the sweet spot
- Reduces flutter echo
- Less high-frequency absorption ensures natural sound
- Best mounted at points of first reflection.