Sound Deadener Showdown
Version 2 Updated: October 19, 2005
Products Reviewed: B-Quiet Extreme and Ultimate, Brown Bread, Cascade Audio Engineering VB2, Dynamic Control Dynamat Original and Dynamat Xtreme, Elemental Designs eDead v1 and eDead v1SE, FatMat, RAAMaudio RAAMmat BXT, Second Skin Damplifier and Damplifier Pro,
Conclusions
As I have stated repeatedly, this isn't a rigorously scientific review. I got a bunch of samples and did what I could to evaluate them. While this approach is obvious lacking in a lot of ways, I think I learned some essential truths that should help in your evaluation. Additionally, since I posted the first version of this project, I have been contacted by some legitimate experts in this field, several of whom contributed important context and guidance.
Ideally, I would have loved to actually measure the effectiveness of the samples I had. How well do they dampen?. How effective are they as a barrier? These would be great things to know.
I think I have gotten to the bottom of the product failure problem. In the asphalt versus butyl debate, I am convinced that butyl based products are better in every aspect. So what do I recommend?
I would have no qualms about using SecondSkin Damplifier or Damplifier Pro, Dynamat Xtreme, RAAMmat BXT or B-Quiet Ultimate. That said, two product lines stand out - one of these will meet your requirements.
Highest Quality
Second Skin's products live up to their "Over Engineered to Over Perform" motto. They are clearly a higher quality alternative to Dynamat Xtreme - designed for greater heat tolerance, with higher quality materials.
If quality is your most important requirement, Second Skin Damplifier or Damplifier Pro are the obvious choices. Dynamat Xtreme is close, but being more expensive and not as good isn't a winning combination. I congradulate Second Skin Audio for their obvious dedication to providing the best product possible.
Best Value
RAAMaudio's RAAMmat BXT is a high quality product priced to compete with asphalt mats. If you are considering an asphalt sound deadener based on price, please reconsider.
Remember, you are not just buying square feet, you are buying mass. Most of the asphalt mats are thinner and the lighter than the butyl products. This means you will need more layers to accomplish the same result. The only close comparison is eDead v1SE vs. RAAMmat. They are close in weight and thickness, despite the fact that Elemental Designs significantly overstates the density of their products.
If I were to repeat my own installation - 300 square feet of damping mat - here's how it would price out for RAAMmat BXT and eDead v1SE, shipped:
| RAAMmat BXT | $594.00 |
| eDead v1SE | $513.00 |
There is only $81.00 between the two. If you use less, the difference will be smaller. This is not even close. Buy the RAAMmat BXT.
If you only needed 100 square feet:
| RAAMmat BXT | $198.00 |
| eDead v1SE | $171.00 |
That's just $27 dollars.
If you really need to do this in the absolutely least expensive way and are not convinced or concerned by the demonstrated inferiority of asphalt based sound deadeners, go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a roll or two of Peel & Seal. This is the least expensive option and you won't have to worry about shipping costs. I can see no difference in Peel & Seal and the asphalt based aluminum skinned products in this review. If you are going to live dangerously, do it right.
I hope this helps.
Sound Deadener Showdown Tip Jar
I'm really gratified by the responses I've gotten from those of you who have found this project helpful. It has certainly grown into something far beyond my expectations. I'm testing several new products and will have the results posted as soon as I can.
Several people have asked to contribute something to help offset the costs involved (and I suspect to encourage faster paced updates :) If you would like to toss in a few pennies or a few bucks, here's a way to do it. Click on the PayPal Donate icon and you can use your PayPal account, a credit card or even your bank account to drop something in the Sound Deadener Showdown wishing well.
Thanks very much.