Who has solved the HVAC air noise problem?


I am in the redesign stage of a totally dedicated listening room which will inlcude tube amp, pre-amp and cd player. The reconstruction will include a flat ceiling and tons of sound isolation and insulation. The central air system for the house with constant air flow produces way too much background noise and hum through the vents. I want to add a separate dedicated a/c system for just this room (25Lx15W x 9.5H). I am looking for the advice of those who have managed to baffle internally in the ducts sufficiently to eliminate the air flow noise and machine hum, while still having an effective a/c system. I want an invisable a/c system with five overhead vents. Duct size should not be a problem as the walls will be at least 12" thick at one end. I presume that fiberglass or lined/insulated sheet metal with all surfaces covered are the way to go. BUT, I really don't know. What I know is that I want to be able to never hear the environment, only the music.

All thoughts welcome including my obvious need for more therapy.

Bill E.
lakefrontroad

Showing 1 response by sogood51

I studed a wall across the rear of my room, insulated and dry-wall with a door. Installed my heating system at one end of this long area. I did not take this wall all the way to the ceiling...I left it 19" short.

I then built a giant muffler 19" high X 41" deep X 127" long. I installed 4 return openings into the muffler to reduce any intake noise...results: dead quiet return and you never hear the furnace kick on or off. AC unit is of course out-side. Five ceiling registers of good size are also quiet.

Of course this would not work as well in small rooms because floor space is limited...my room is still 23 ft. deep after giving up 4 ft. so this is just an idea that works for a large dedicated room with it's own heating/cooling system.

Dave