Acoustic Test 1
Hey there, sound snobs. Here come the tests!
FIRST UP, this Dope Panel (49"x16"x3")
It is a custom composite of hemp fiber and recycled cellulose
With a inch deep frame
and, roughly, a half inch of backing
it holds slightly more than 2.5" of absorbent material.
VS
This GIK 244, 48.5"x24.5"x5.5"
It's frame is just under 5.5"
and with over 1.5" of backing,
we can expect there is at least 3.5" of fiberglass.
Using the Fabulous REQ Wizard, I send a frequency sweep from a MacBook Pro to a single JBL LSR308
and into the UMIK USB omni microphone
Here are the results
same test magnified a bit
RED LINE represents the baseline, which is just a frequency sweep from the JBL monitor directly into the mic.
PURPLE LINE represents the tone sweep from the JBL speaker, through the GIK panel, and into the mic.
BROWN LINE represents the tone sweep from the JBL monitor, through the Dope Panel, and into the Mic.
THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES, ONLY THE POTENTIAL ABSORPTION PERFORMANCE OF THE INTENDED ABSORBENT MATERIALS WITHIN THE PANELS.
This is just the test and it is not a representation of the unique and patented design of the GIK panel itself, only the absorbent materials inside. A panel on the wall has the advantage of absorbing frequencies on the way into the panel, as well as the remaining frequencies reflected off of the wall that the panel is attached to. This is how they can create greater absorption ratios at lower frequencies. The one plus inch air gap created with the GIK panels is a simple and effective way to create a product that performs the best in relation to the amount of mass and materials used. This Dope Panel, however, performs very well, including at the very frequency of 60 hertz that the GIK website advertises. These are impressive numbers considering the size of the waves both panels are absorbing compared to the size of the panel's surface area. Panel size and structure could alsol be a factor here. The width of the GIK is over 24 inches with a thinner wood composite frame. While the Dope Panel has a thicker hemp hurd and formaldehyde-free resin composite from the company, Cannagrove. Dope Panels is committed to wood alternatives to promote and perfect sustainable building materials. This hemp board takes up more space, but could also aid in both absorption and deflection. More work needs to be done to understand the effects of the cross bracing, but for now, we should see these as rough tests as displaying the potential for hemp and natural fibers for abroad range of acoustic treatments . The end goal is providing a potentially carbon negative alternative to the labor-intensive and toxic manufacturing of mineral wool and fiberglass.
BASELINE
GIK 244
DOPE PANEL 49"x16"x3"
BASELINE decay
GIK 244 decay
Dope Panel 49"x16"x3"