How can I make my own acoustic materials?

This is getting into another subject, Sean...those guys are using that 'mumbo jumbo'--which they headline as a 'technical discussion' to sell a $649.00 piece of gear!

For that kind of money I can get the tonearm fluid damper for my Technics 1200 TT ($149), an Ortofon low output MC super 15 MK II ($225), a pair of Tekna Sonic C-10 fins for my JMlab speakers ($99) and still have money left for albums!

Crazy, isn't it?

Goto www.decware.com (the infamous Zen amps website). They sell plans for room acoustic treatments. I just ordered plans for corner bass traps. Very cool...

If it's not documented, it never happened...if it's not validated, it's useless...that's what any QA officer would say about that. I bought the corner bass traps plans because they are massive(121 lbs)and right now the bass frequencies are travelling to the top and bottom apartments and that is not good. Steve assured me that even footstep sounds would be absorbed by the bass traps. I don't think he's a Vodoo man. Far from it. I trust his design.

Careful with rockwool inside living spaces: It is molten granite spun over rolls. If it's dry it will release asbestos-like particles in the air. Not good.

Thanks, Sean. I have my neighbors complaining and it's a brick building!

Research costs money. Nothing's free. I talked to Steve yesterday and these people went through several prototypes before reaching the current bass traps. I don't think $29.95 is nowhere near a rip off for their time and efforts.

I would be wary of someone giving things for free because of lack of funds to sustain R&D, but that's just me...

Although I work in sales, I am a professional scientist (shit happens).

This is the formula:

Quality Control + Quality Asessment = Quality Assurance

Most people (even in science) equate Quality Control with Quality Assurance. Totally wrong. Control involves design & execution (process control), asessment oversight. The combination assures quality. If this is followed anyone can make good progress (ask the Japanese!).

Steve told me that he has made mathematical analysis of Risch's bass traps vs his designs. It would take many many many to equal one of his bass traps (according to his math, that is). Steve talks science when it comes to this subject. Totally non Voodoo. That's what I look for. After all, it's acoustics; it's governed by the laws of physics, right?

Peace to all,

Since we were discussing about tests and validation, here are some thoughts on sustainability, validation and quality control:

I was looking at the classifieds here in Audiogon and I ran into an ad for a 'cable and interconnect cooker'. This is what the website says:

"The break-in process is believed to be due primarily to current flowing through the conductors of wiring components. Dielectric stress caused by a voltage difference between the conductors is also believed to be of some benefit. The fact that it takes many hours of in-system use for wiring components to break in is primarily due to the low-level nature of audio/video signals from normal program material."

When one reads for quality assurance (and I did it for a living) one must watch for empty, inconclusive statements.
The above parragraph lacks sustainability, proof, or any other data sustaining what it says. The very first sentence is a joke! Believe me, I've seen documents presented by chemistry labs with similar statements! Just keep your mind open...

I've just got my blueprints for the corner bass traps. Very well designed. I talked with Steve Deckert this morning about the particulars of my apartment setup. He was very helpful about helping me live peacefully with my neighbors...I've already recommended him with two of my audio salesmen. Definitely worth doing business with.