People new to room acoustics tend to ask the same questions, so we have gathered the most common ones here with short, honest answers.
Will egg boxes soundproof my room?
No. This is the most persistent myth in the hobby. Egg boxes do almost nothing for soundproofing and very little for treatment. Their shape vaguely resembles acoustic foam, but the material has no useful absorption. Save them for the recycling.
Does acoustic foam stop noise getting through walls?
No. Foam absorbs reflections inside a room and improves clarity, but it has barely any mass, so it does not block sound travelling between rooms. Blocking noise requires mass and sealing, which are different jobs entirely.
Can I treat a room on a tight budget?
- Yes. Heavy curtains, rugs, bookshelves and soft furnishings all do real acoustic work.
- Start free by rearranging what you own before buying anything.
- Spend gradually on a couple of corner bass traps, which give the best value per pound.
How do I know if it is working?
Trust your ears. Clap your hands in the room before and after each change. As treatment goes in, the sharp ring should fade and speech should sound more natural. If music starts to sound dull, you have gone slightly too far and can remove a panel.
Do I need expensive measurement gear?
Not to start. A free phone app and careful listening will get a domestic room a long way. Measurement tools are useful later if you want to fine-tune, but they are not essential for a comfortable result.