Looking for sound deadening advise

**iamgnat** · 05-05-2007, 01:01 AM

Hello,
I've been planning to tackle sound deadening my Escape this summer and I wanted to do it myself. I looked into a bunch of the major brands and had decided on going with Damplifier (great reviews and decent price).

My local sound shop (did my Amps and the stereo in my wife's 911) messed up some wiring when they reinstalled a panel in our 911 which caused us to run up a $500 bill at the Porsche dealer trying to track it down (was causing an unrelated fuse to keep blowing). So the shop is offering to either cut a check or give use store credit plus the employee pricing.

The only thing I still need/want on any of our cars is the sound deadening, but they use Hush Mat and I can't seem to find any good comparisons with the major (Dynamat, Damplifer, Brown Bread, etc...) brands. The combination of the discount/credit (the later because I don't have to deal with budgeting

) means it will be in the price range of the asphalt based mats (but it isn't asphalt based) and therefor worth considering.

Anyone have any experience with Hush Mat or know of any good comparisons?

Thanks,
-dave

**lbridges** · 05-05-2007, 09:33 AM

I don't have experience with their product, but their web site claims it is not asphalt based. From this I assume* it is a butyl based product, which is generally a superior product to asphalt.[*] you really should check since they didn't come right out and say butyl, and assumption can be a dangerous thing.

Just to clear up a couple of points. This genre of product is known as a sound damping mat. It uses mass (weight) in a viscous material to dampen vibrations - not deaden sound. Sound deadening (maybe should be called sound adsorption) is accomplished through the use of jute like mats or a closed cell foam product (think neoprene, Ensolite, etc.).

The HushMat may end up producing a quieter vehicle through reduced vibrations of panels, but if your goal is seeking Lexus/Cadillac type quiet, then you need to pursue the closed cell foam/jute addition to the HushMat as well.

The addition of a square foot of closed-cell foam mounted to to the inner side of the door outer skin - directly behind door speakers - is well worth the effort. Yours ears will have more appreciation of the bass notes coming from your speakers.

**WarX** · 05-05-2007, 09:06 PM

your wife drives a 911?? *bigok*

lol, personally, i wouldn't go with anything else but Damplifier, i love the stuff. I would take the check and buy damplifier and go to another shop to get it done since they already messed up one car, wouldn't trust them with another. Also go with a closed cell foam barrier as well, you'll notice a huge difference

**iamgnat** · 05-05-2007, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by WarX

your wife drives a 911?? *bigok*

lol

It was compensation for when I bought my old XK8 without telling her

Ahh the days of being young with too much money. Alas where have they gone

go to another shop to get it done since they already messed up one car, wouldn't trust them with another.

Thanks for the feedback on Damplifier.

As far as the shop goes, I don't blame them on this and they didn't even question or try object. The problem is that Porsche bundles almost every wire in the door up really well, except the wire for the door light. So if you aren't careful (and know to watch for it), it will fall down and get pinched at one of the points you bolt the panel on with. They have also done plenty of other work for me, given me great advice, and given me some great deals. I have no problem with people making mistakes, it's how they handle them that is important.

-dave

**durwood** · 05-07-2007, 07:39 AM

www.sounddeadenershowdown.com

**DarquePervert** · 05-07-2007, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by durwood

www.sounddeadenershowdown.com

Interesting read, durwood.

Thanks!

**durwood** · 05-07-2007, 07:58 AM

n/p.

I know there are a few good tutorials out there for sound dampening depending on need. I'll try to find some good links for that as well and add a few comments of my own.