Panels on the ceiling

You only need to do the first reflection points on the ceiling, I went with 3 GIK 244 spaced 8inches apart using the cloud brackets the have available. 

Thanks for the responses, so far @russ69 has my vote. Biggest problem with hiring someone to do it is they want to test for asbestos.  Then when found they tell you to hireton asbestos abatement company for removal $$$.

Don't scrape. Cheapest way is to hire a plasterer/painter to skim coat the ceiling with a plaster/ joint compound mix over the popcorn. Allow the now smooth surface to dry and paint it. It takes a skilled skim coater to do ceilings, though.

@dill @knighttodd

Not all ‘popcorn ceilings’ contain asbestos. Most all of it is simply a finishing compound, and there are many ways to finish it, ‘popcorn ‘ or ‘dabbed’, or other textured ceiling.

That said, I do agree with skim coating over it if a smooth texture is preferred. I’ve had that done quite a few times in my clients homes over the years. The texturing was simply preferred by many builders to hide potential ‘nail pops’ and not have to be included in any warranty work. So, textured ceilings were used a lot. I dislike them.

In terms of acoustical treatment for the OP, not sure you need to do it for that reason. You may want to purchase a box of 24x48 ‘reflected ceiling’ tiles used in ‘drop down’ ceilings, temporarily attach to the ceiling and see if there is any benefit before going that route. If so, you can get ‘acoustic’ (not in the audiophile sense) 12x12 ceiling tiles that can be interlocked and applied to the ceiling. But, my personal preference would be a smooth ceiling, and then possible true acoustical/diffusion panels attached where/if needed.

You don’t want to make the room too dead.

“Panels on the ceiling,Pink champagne on ice”……….reminds me of a song I heard once.