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Sound deadening questions

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125
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26
Location
Seattle
#1
I knew the ST was loud but it took a road trip in my wife's new Legacy to realize how loud. After installing the sub I really want to bring down the noise floor. I found a pack of sound deadening material in an old box in the garage and I'm down to put them in. My question is for those who have done dynamat or something similar, where did you put it, or would you put it if you were going to do it again? Floors? Trunk? Doors? Other? All of the above? Any tips for best results?
I am planning on doing before and after readings with a dB meter as well. Thanks in advance!
 


masonsturbos

Active member
Messages
597
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114
Location
saint louis
#2
I have removed the rear seat and spare and notice "floor" noise as well. I'd like to try lizard skin but have heard mixed reviews about rolling it on. I'm in for results:)
 


Messages
242
Likes
44
Location
Lake Forest Park
#3
I have already done all 4 doors and the trunk to good effect.
The nice thing about this car is taking the interior parts off is really easy
 


Messages
242
Likes
44
Location
Lake Forest Park
#5
I had some leftover damplifier pro from an old project and ordered some ensolite to go over it. Pretty easy. You can get to most if not all of the door metal going through the speaker hole.

In the trunk bottom and around the rear wheels I used some acoustic foam and damplifier. Probably overkill, but it's cheap and there's no reason not to.
 


RAAMaudio

5000 Post Club
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Location
Carson City
#6
Read the HOW TO guide on raamaudio dot com, tens of thousands have done so with great results.

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT:)

It is about how to do things right with the least materials and added weight.

You can use whatever products you wish though hard to find Ensolite available the way it is there and most regular mat products are not even real deadening so stick with a more well name brand and make sure not some asphalt roofing product or way over priced real deadening material.

I highly recommend some 2" real acoustical foam to stuff in the pillars, under front seats, under the dash, behind the glove box, etc.
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
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26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #7
Thanks. The stuff I found was some ooooold DEI Sound Off sheets that I bought back in the late 90's. Can't even find signs of its existence online. LOL
Anyhow, it's an asphalt product unfortunately so I don't think I'll use it, even though it's essentially free. Maybe in the trunk. I dunno. I will probably pick up some other reputable butyl brand down the road. Thanks for the link. I will check it out.
 


Messages
34
Likes
13
Location
Lake Elsinore
#8
Funny you want to dampen the noise, I think the stock exhaust is far too quiet and I'm looking to increase the sound.
To each his own I guess.
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
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820
Location
Vancouver
#9
Funny you want to dampen the noise, I think the stock exhaust is far too quiet and I'm looking to increase the sound.
To each his own I guess.
There's a pretty distinct difference between exhaust noise and road/cabin noise. Exhaust noise, when not full of drone, is pleasant. Road/cabin noise (NVH) is not. I can't stand the fact that my ears are ringing every day after my commute. Once I get around to it I will be ordering from here- https://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com
 


RAAMaudio

5000 Post Club
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Location
Carson City
#10
I would only use the asphalt based stuff on the floor.

All mat products only need to be used in specific resonance prone areas and to seal things up like access holes in some places so a great deal of it is not needed.

None of them are great thermal products though some claim to be they are simply to dense and heat soak quickly.

Some have slick advertising and sound quite convincing, I was the first in the industry to offer a lower cost solution to the big name brands many years ago and have seen all sorts of marketing come along to get you to pay more than needed for some great products just overly hyped and over priced. The good thing with them is at least you are getting real deadening as there are a lot of scammers selling simple roofing products and calling it deadening, it does work to a degree but not as well and not going to hold up over time.

Use whatever brand you prefer but make sure it is the real deal, use just enough to get the job done, as in all things middle of the price range is almost always the best value.

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Besides Ensolite, which I was the first to introduce it to the automotive sound deadening realm and chose not to rename it and mark it up even higher, is still the absolute best foam product I have ever found. I was developed for the space program, thermal and acoustical properties, fire retardant, low weight, low cost, used, and it was chosen along with my mat product for the International Space Station Training Facility.

I received a rather large order from an engineering firm and called to inquire what it was purchased for as was quite curious and also might have some helpful info on getting the best use out of it. When they told me they checked into all the different products they chose mine because of quality, value and reputation, I was obviously quite flattered to say the least:) I offered to donate it to the cause but they could not accept it that way, I offered half price, they could not accept that either so the best I could do was wholesale.

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The ST is a bit tricky in some areas and a bit different in others like how the doors are inside, the biggest issue is the hatch as in all open cars, vans, etc....some of the egg crate acoustical foam can help a great deal as mentioned as this is a rather noise car and some of that is caused by stiffer suspension bushings which is harder to deal with.

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Again, this is not an advertisement though it could sound like one, just telling it like it is from one that has helped tens of thousands around the world do this the right way and always the lowest cost way while skipping all the advertising hype some tend to use.

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I like many others love a great sounding exhaust, intake as well, just not drone and not to loud, louder when getting on it is great, mellower the rest of the time is best for longer drives especially.

Have a great day:)
Rick
 


MS67

Member
Messages
424
Likes
133
Location
Palm City
#11
Rick is the man to listen to. I've completely deadened 5 of my past and current vehicles with his products and have been extremely happy with the results. His product quality and guidance are second to none IMO.
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
Likes
26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #13
Thanks for all the input everyone. This gives me a lot to work with!
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
Likes
26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #14
On a side note, I did the symposer delete. Made far more of a difference than I would have imagined. I feel like I've knocked off 1.5 dB of noise alone just by doing that. Should have metered before and after. Oh well.
 


RAAMaudio

5000 Post Club
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5,268
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Location
Carson City
#15
One thing Ford did really well, called it a poser, which is perfect but at least is was based on real sound.....I drove my car a total of 5 miles, cruising around, before I deleted it as knew I would not want it.
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
Likes
26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #16
The last time I looked into deadening there was Dynamat, Dynamat Super, and roofing sheets. Seems like things have changed a lot in 20 years. So talk to me about Raam Mat vs Ensolite and their uses, please. I'm not really clear on the difference between the applications but it feels like the Mat is a density-based vibration dampening layer where as the Ensolite is a lightweight acoustic absorbant/deadener which is most effective when layered with the mat. Is this accurate? I'm not a racer concerned with adding 20+ lbs to my car in deadening material so weight isn't much of a concern. I live in the Pacific NW so thermal resilience isn't too much of a concern as well. How does Raam Mat compare to FatMat MegaMat? I've read good things about that. Butyl, low cost per foot, good adhesive...
 


RAAMaudio

5000 Post Club
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5,268
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Location
Carson City
#17
Sorry for the wait, having computer issues, doggy knocked my expensive HP laptop off the table, I have to take it apart and see what is broken as overheating quickly, shutting down again now, back to working on the car before it hits 105 again.



Read the advertising and specs any brand you are considering and also look up the reps of the companies it will help you feel out the BS from the real stuff, one thing is I have seen some call their stuff pure butyl, that would cost a fortune and not work well. Some have super thick stuff and charge a fortune for it, it is not needed as if so I would of sold it long before they existed. On the few areas a bit more is needed just use a second layer, far less expensive and the layering with aluminum in the middle is far more effective.

The HOW TO Guide shows how to use everything for the best results, Fitment Guide how much is needed per area, this is the way to go for best results for cost, time, added weight, etc....only in extreme cases is more ever needed and the results go up more slowly as in all things there is a limit to what these things can do.

You are mostly correct, the Ensolite enhances the effect of the mat but mostly works in higher frequencies mat products are not effective in but it does help decouple lower frequencies as well. Mat coverage area is far less than Ensolite coverage area.

OK, have to shut down, computer to hot.....:(
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
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26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #18
Thanks for all this. Sorry to hear about your computer. We have cats that like to chew any and all types of charger cords, so I feel your pain.
 


RAAMaudio

5000 Post Club
Messages
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Location
Carson City
#19
Computer is working better now for some reason and I did not take it apart. It was not fun watching a $1500 laptop crash to the floor and little parts flying about....

We are full time RVing now with an Akita and an Irish Wolfhound and 16lb cat and very few issues in close to a year on the road. Cat did about $10k in damage to the house before we sold it and a bit in the RV but she seems to be mellowing out at 10 years old, finally!

Doggies have been really good, barely any issues at all, just in our way most of the time:)
 


OP
Stormy
Messages
125
Likes
26
Location
Seattle
Thread Starter #20
Any thoughts on putting additional mat on the roof, under the headliner. Or using a deadening spray on the backside of the plastic door panels, or sandwiching acoustic foam sheet between the door panels and the door? Just trying to think of ways to get extra deadening of road noise.
 




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