Bookshelf-basstrap concept:

> > > Bookshelf-basstrap concept:

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Byte-Mixer
Member Since: Dec 04, 2007

This is not an immediate project by any means, but something I'd like to start after we move in a couple years.

Basically I'd like to build a wife-safe bass trap at some point. The concept is to build a bookshelf, or modify an existing bookshelf to build a bass trap into the backing. This is not for the walls of the room, but strictly something that would sit across a corner, so there would be plenty of space behind the bookshelves. Stacked to the ceiling or as close as possible. (I'm thinking 2ft. x 4ft. x 1ft deep)

So I'm thinking basically, backing the bookshelf with 4" (possibly 6") of 703 mineral fiber (rockwool) the rockwool would be basically wrapped in fabric to contain it.

So: Bookshelf (made of wood, possibly pine) | fabric | rockwool | fabric over the back

Another thought is Bookshelf | cork board | rockwool | fabric
Or some other porous but rigid material instead of cork board to place in front of the rockwool instead of fabric since sometimes I'm guilty of shoving things in kinda hard sometimes, and wouldn't want to somehow tear into the rockwool or something.

I guess my question is would the theory hold? I know in just about every case I've read the rockwool sits on top of a frame, or just flat out across a corner so there's plenty of space behind it as well as plenty of exposed surface area. But I'm wondering if having a bookshelf in front of it (conceptually at least) would be detrimental to its purpose since it would essentially be sitting behind a frame (the bookshelf).

Granted I wouldn't back a bookshelf with it if it was sitting flat against a wall since that would be pretty pointless.

Hmm, in hind-sight I should have posted in recording, but oh well it's technically gear. :D

Feel free to opine.

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The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007

Jul 12, 2010 03:23 pm

Humm, depending on the frequency, you might have to isolate the shelve off of the floor as well. to prevent coupling. A set of "Mover Men" pads work well for this. Or even Hockey pucks sitting under the feet of the bookshelf would work as well.

You might also have problems with standing waves. Due to the square or rectangular spaces of a bookshelf.

Byte-Mixer
Member
Since: Dec 04, 2007

Jul 12, 2010 03:53 pm

Hmmm, good point on decoupling. I didn't think of that, but I can always build spikes onto the bottom of the shelves without too much hassle if need be. (plus my father-in-law does a bit of woodworking and minor carpentry, so he could possibly help out)

As for standing waves, that could be an issue. If the books were un-evenly shelved/spaced, that could help, since we have a crap-ton of the buggers , and not all of em are standard paper-back size, so that might help diffuse the sound somewhat. But it's not a calculated pattern and pretty random random, so I don't know if that would hurt more or help more.

If we're talking the space in the shelves themselves, I could try lining them with an absorbent material or if we actually build the shelves, we could see about carving or chiseling uneven surfaces or something to help diffuse the sound.

Brainstorming and back-boarding ideas here, so feel free to respond.

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