AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE PC Soundproofing Kit (APU)

Overview - AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE

Product Code: APU

Multi-Layered Materials in AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE

AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE contains both 2- and 3-layered acoustic materials. Comparative small and large scale acoustic tests with alternative single-layer PC sound-proofing materials demonstrate that AcoustiPack™ multi-layer materials are more effective and safer, whilst still remaining as thin as possible.

2-Layer Materials

The upper layer, immediately opposite the noise source, is a layer of semi-open cell dense acoustic foam which provides a low-reflection surface. This upper layer of foam provides some sound attenuation, expecially of higher-frequency sound (>1kHz). The very dense black limp 'plastic' layer at the base of the 2-layer material is directly attached to the substrate. This layer acts as both an acoustic barrier (effectively attenuating the transmission of sound energy through the material) and as a damping layer, reducing vibration in the substrate (usually a thin steel panel in many PCs and server enclosures).

The 2-layer materials in the AcoustiPack™ range of kits are 4mm thick. We manufacture thickness greater than 4mm for OEM and manufacturers, but the thickness in the AcoustiPack™ kits is the thinnest we can produce to facilitiate fitting the materials in small and narrow spaces inside modern PC cases.

3-Layer Materials

In our latest generation of 3-layer composite (Patent Pending), the dense acoustic barrier layer has been 'suspended' away from the substrate in the centre of the acoustic foam. The construction layering is like this: (noise source) acoustic foam -> acoustic barrier -> acoustic foam (then the substrate, which is usually a metal sheet panel).

Sound energy first hits the upper foam surface, which is similar to the 2-layer construction, in that it is a low-reflective soundproofing material that is particularly effective at absorbing high frequencies. The sound energy then encounters the central suspended barrier layer, which is decoupled from the substrate. This high-density high-mass layer acts as an acoustic barrier mass to the transmission of energy through the material. The 3rd layer of foam acts to suspend the barrier layer a small distance away from the substrate. We have found from both small scale impedance tube and larger scale reverberation chamber acoustic tests that the 'suspended' central acoustic barrier effectively increases the absorbtion of low frequency noise (<1kHz). This may well be a result of the 'mass-spring effect', where low frequency energy is absorbed by the sound 'moving' the layer when it is excited by certain resonant frequencies.

The 3-layer materials are attached by a supported self-adhesive directly to the substrate, and have a damping effect on panel vibrations. (Hit the side of your PC once fitted, and you will hear a dull 'thud' sound).

The 3-layer materials in the AcoustiPack™ kit range are 7mm thick. We also manufacture these composites up to 13mm thickness (and over if required ) for manufactures and OEMs. For example, they have been very successfully used in servers and server cabinets, and tested by many different organisations all over the world since they were first developed.

Packaging - AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE The AcoustiPack™ product range have been designed to be shipped to the end-customer without the need for extra packaging. The individual product packaging is not printed on one side, and is strong enough to withstand normal handling during transit. The cardboard has a min recycled content of 35%. Individual Product Packaging Information: APU x1     Pack Weight: 1.76Kg (3.88lbs) Pack External Dimensions: (WxDxH) 470 x 445 x 20mm (18.5 x 17.5 x 0.8")     Multiple Products Packaging Information: APU x8     Quantity per Shipping Box: 8 Shipping Box Weight: 14.09Kg (31.0lbs) Shipping Box External Dimensions: (WxDxH) 490 x 460 x 230mm (19.3 x 18.1 x 9.1")     Distributor & Reseller Information: AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE     Product Bar Code: (EAN-13) 5060087740300

Reviews - AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE

Rhys "Apollo" of TechREVIEWS takes a look at the AcoustiPack™ ULTIMATE:

"To install the sound dampening, it was fairly simple... The adhesive is incredibly sticky and adheres very well. If you mess up whilst sticking down the acoustic material, you can however remove the AcoustiPack and relocate it several times before is loses its adhesiveness.

"With the AcoutiPack Ultimate installed I was pleasantly surprised by how much it had dampened the noise...

"Taking readings from my CPU's diode (using Intel Thermal Analysis Tool) the idle temps were reported at 32 degrees C, this is about 3 degrees above the temperatures when no sound dampening was applied. To me, this seems like a very good temperature - a small price to pay for a drop in noise levels...

"If you're after some sound dampening to take away the annoying whirring from case fans, don't think twice, just buy the AcoustiPack Ultimate - you won't regret it." [read the full review]

We are actively looking for quality, well-respected IT review sites and magazines to test and give their honest opinion about our new and improved soundproofing materials. Please let us know if you are interested in reviewing these products or you know of a high-quality PC review magazine or website that may be willing to give these products a thorough review. Please contact us via our website here to request samples for review.

For reviews of previous AcoustiPack™ kits (called Deluxe, Standard & SFF) please see the www.acoustiproducts.com website.

AcoustiPack™ FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

• Will adding or using acoustic materials inside my computer case affect the temperature? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Why does the system (and component) temperature sometimes fall? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Why does the system (and component) temperature sometimes rise? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Should I, and how can I observe the temperature of my computer and CPU? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Can I adhere the acoustic materials to non-metal and other smooth surfaces? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Can I use acoustic materials directly against hard disks, or to help with vibrational noise from hard disk drives? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Can I apply the acoustic composite materials without the self-adhesive backing? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• Is the soundproofing foam conductive? Can I use it right against the underside of the PC motherboard? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• What is RoHS? (www.acoustiproducts.com)
• What is WEEE? (www.acoustiproducts.com)