Recently, Terry Smith wrote, "
Using words like "almost total soundproofing" suggests having very little 
dea
what you really mean.  With "almost total soundproofing" I presume your walls
will reduce a 140 dBspl on one side to a barely perceptible 25 dBspl on the
other, across a wide frequency spectrum? .........................."
Hello Terry,  Almost total soundproofing to me is finding someplace neither 
my wife can find me, nor anyone else who wants me to do something on my 
officially proclaimed "GOOF OFF DAYS".
        No, I didn't mean "total sound proofing", or for that matter, 
anything near that. I did mean to pass on a material that is available for 
about the same thing you would pay for the same surface area and batt 
insulation for a 2x6 exterior wall, yet is extraordinarily quiet. A good 
example is the D-9 Cat tractor operating about 50 to 75 feet outside the 
structure and not being heard. While not soundproof, it is a lot more quiet 
than anything used in home construction out here in this part of the country. 
No,.....the remark was intended for us poor novices struggling to understand 
and do what we can about our listening/living areas and get the best bang (or 
least) for the buck, in a subject so complex as acoustics. I swear the more I 
read about it, the less I understand and the more contradictions I find!
        The sandwiched material I spoke of can be used as new construction or 
in building your "building within a building" without extraordinary expense. 
I am sure there are more advanced materials and techniques. But for someone 
doing one on the cheap or where budget is a consideration, it is worthy of 
thought.
        Q>  I read somewhere that a perfectly quiet room would not be the 
best environment as a listening area. I would be very interested in your 
thoughts on that. Also, and and all ideas about "sound conditioning on the 
cheap" would be greatly appreciated. I cannot tell you what a formidable task 
it seems to a novice.
Cheers, John
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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