Best Sound Acoustic Panels
Introduction
Whether you’re dealing with traffic noise, noisy neighbors, or just want to keep the sound from your studio from disturbing others, soundproofing your home is a great idea.
Depending on your budget and how much noise you need to block out, there are several ways to make your home quieter.
Even if you’re wondering how to soundproof a studio—whether it’s inside your home or not—there are still effective methods, and no, you won’t necessarily need a professional.
Acoustic panels are actually one of the most affordable ways to achieve sound deadening in your space.
We recommend staying away from egg crate foam panels, as this type of soundproofing foam is meant for other uses. Sound-absorbing materials have unique properties that help dampen unwanted noise, absorb bass frequencies, minimize echo, and more!
This article will focus on acoustic wall treatments—acoustic wall panels that can help solve common issues like flutter echo, first reflections, comb filtering, and excessive reverberation.
Just a heads up: we’ll be listing these top acoustic panel reviews in no particular order. They’ll be randomized, as we don’t want to rank them from best to worst.
Listed below are our Top 8 Best Acoustic Panels:
1. Primacoustic London 8 Acoustic Room Kit
Most rooms, whether in industrial facilities or residential homes, have parallel walls. While these walls are great for aesthetics and floor plans, they can cause a lot of problems in recording or mixing environments.
The main issue is early reflections. Simply put, this is when sound bounces off nearby walls close to the sound source. These reflected sounds mix together and cause phase cancellation, leading to comb filtering.
With phase cancellation, you don’t get an accurate representation of the sound, so your mix won’t translate well to other systems. Primacoustic’s London 8 room kit uses four Control Columns to tame these early reflections.
Placed near the sound source, the Control Columns help define the listening area, making it easier to hear what’s really happening in the mix instead of being distracted by reflections. This makes both mixing and recording easier and more accurate.
If you clap your hands in your room, much of what you hear is flutter echo—sound bouncing between the walls, ceiling, and floor. In a lively room, it becomes nearly impossible to add the right amount of reverb to your mix.
The eight Scatter Blocks included in the London 8 room kit are usually installed behind the listening position to help control flutter echo. They absorb some of the sound energy while letting some reflect back, creating a more natural sound at the monitoring position.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Amazon Store | For US Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Primacoustic London 8 Acoustic Room Kit – Beige |
2. Vicoustic Flexi Wave Ultra 120 White
The innovative Flexi Wave acoustic panel brings both efficiency and style to your studio. Specially designed to fit standard clip-in or T-profile frames, it is the only non-square or non-rectangular tile that fits seamlessly into standard ceiling frames.
The Flexi Wave Ultra is a unique wall panel from Vicoustic that combines both absorption and diffusion. The panels are made from VicPET wool (PET fibers), MDF, and feature an anti-scratch melamine layer.
Flexi Wave Ultra is available in two sizes: 1190 mm (full panel) and 595 mm (half panel). Both versions come in eight standard colors and are sold in boxes of six panels only.
To install, simply mount the Flexi Wave Ultra panels to your wall using the included mounting accessories. The installation manual can be found on their website under download files.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For All Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vicoustic Flexi Wave Ultra 120 White |
|
3. Primacoustic 2-inch Stratus 24×48 inch Studio Ceiling Cloud Panel
The Primacoustic Stratus is an acoustic device designed to hang above your recording console, helping to control early reflections, flutter echo, and eliminate standing sound waves that cause resonant peaks at the critical mix position.
Once installed, you’ll immediately notice a more controlled and intimate acoustic environment, a larger sweet spot, and less ear fatigue.
Attractive and very affordable, the Stratus comes in a kit and can be assembled in minutes using just a basic screwdriver.
The kit includes a 2″ thick, 24″ x 48″ acoustic panel made from high-density 6lb per cubic foot (96 kg/m³) glass wool, along with all the necessary suspension hardware. The glass wool is wrapped in micromesh, and the edges are resin-treated to keep the tiny fibers contained. For a polished look, the panel is covered in acoustically transparent fabric.
On its own, the 2″ thick glass wool panel is 100% effective at absorbing frequencies between 400Hz and 20kHz (see the acoustic absorption chart).
To help control an even wider range of frequencies, the Stratus can be angled to change the air space between the panel and the ceiling. This allows the back of the panel to also absorb reflections coming from the ceiling.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For US Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Primacoustic 2-inch Stratus 24×48 inch Studio Ceiling Cloud Panel |
|
4. Vicoustic Cinema Round Premium Grey
Cinema Round Premium panels offer versatile and stylish solutions for sound management across a variety of settings.
Blending modern design with exceptional acoustic performance, the fabric-covered Cinema Round Premium panel is ideal for controlling sound reflections and reducing excess reverberation, helping you get the most out of your listening space.
Cinema Round Premium delivers broad-spectrum performance, effectively managing sound from mid-low to high frequencies. It is recognized as one of the most reliable panels with a very high and consistent absorption coefficient.
You can also install this product using the new VicFix J Profile fixation system with the VicFix Base, sold separately.
The Vicoustic Cinema Round Premium is a sleek acoustic panel designed to control sound reflections between 300Hz and 20kHz. The Cinema Round panel offers outstanding acoustic performance with an attractive design, made from acoustic foam wrapped in acoustically transparent black fabric.
Extremely versatile, the Cinema Round panel is perfect for home theaters, recording studios, post-production studios, rehearsal rooms, and mastering suites.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For All Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vicoustic Cinema Round Premium Grey |
|
5. Acoustical Fulfillment FulFill Acoustical Panel 3-pack
Acoustical Fulfillment FulFill Acoustical Panels are high-end, sound-absorbing solutions. They deliver excellent performance while looking great in your creative or professional space.
The FulFill Panel is also the foundation of Acoustical Fulfillment’s innovative and patented Flex-48 Adaptive Treatment System, allowing you to easily switch between absorption and diffusion as needed.
The 3-Pack includes three FulFill Panels with all the necessary mounting hardware. It’s a fantastic building block for your acoustical treatment setup, or the perfect add-on as your needs grow.
Each panel measures 16″ x 48″ x 2″ with a beveled edge—the same panel at the heart of our cutting-edge Flex-48™ Adaptive Treatment System and StudioAF™ Room Kit.
The sleek design of these panels helps them fit effortlessly into available wall space and creates the feeling of extra vertical room.
Each 3-Pack comes with three impaling clips per panel for easy wall mounting. If you want to mount them on the ceiling, we recommend using Rotofast™ Cloud Anchors or Rotofast™ Snap-on Anchors for installation.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For US Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Acoustical Fulfillment FulFill Acoustical Panel 3-pack |
|
6. t.akustik PET Wall Absorber 120 WH
The new t.akustik PET Absorbers are available in three different sizes. You can choose between two wall panels (60 x 60 cm and 120 x 60 cm) and a ceiling panel that measures 180 x 120 cm. All options are 50 mm thick.
According to the manufacturer, these panels are ideal for improving acoustics not only in studios, podcasting, and streaming rooms, but also in offices, call centers, and rehearsal spaces. With three color options—black, white, and grey—the panels are designed to complement a wide variety of interiors.
The t.akustik PET absorbers are made from PET fleece and are effective starting at 315 Hz. With a volume-to-weight ratio of about 80 kg/m³, they offer an absorption NRC of 0.95.
The PET material makes these absorbers suitable for high-humidity environments, according to t.akustik. They are also flame-retardant, meeting the ASTM E84 (Class 1) standard.
The wall panels can be mounted using the included L hooks, while the ceiling panel comes with four adjustable stainless steel cables for suspension, as well as four hooks.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For All Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
t.akustik PET Wall Absorber 120 WH |
|
7. ClearSonic CSPS2DG 24 x 22-inch
ClearSonic SORBER S2 baffles help you control your sound onstage or in the studio. Designed to work with ClearSonic’s acrylic panels or to mount on a wall, SORBER S2 baffles are easy to position and highly effective at absorbing sound.
Each 24-inch x 22-inch x 1.5-inch baffle is made from rigid fiberglass wrapped in heavy-duty carpet. The exterior is very hook-and-loop friendly, making it simple to attach and hang SORBER S2s wherever you need them.
When you need to take control of your onstage or studio sound, trust ClearSonic isolation products. ClearSonic components and systems help keep amplifiers and drum kits from overpowering the room, without sacrificing visibility.
Clear acrylic panels and extenders let performers see out—and let your audience see the performers—while keeping the loud volumes of acoustic drums and guitar amps in check.
ClearSonic also has the parts and sound-absorbing baffles you need to complete your setup. Whether you need a small panel setup for your amplifier, a full isolation booth for your drum kit, or something in between, ClearSonic has a solution for you!
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For US Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ClearSonic CSPS2DG 24 x 22-inch |
|
8. Auralex ProPanel ProKit-1 Acoustical Room Treatment System
The Obsidian ProPanel ProKit-1 All-In-One Acoustical Room Remedy System from Auralex is a bundled set of acoustical absorption panels, designed to control unwanted mid- and high-frequency reflections in small- to medium-sized rooms (from 8 x 10′ to 12 x 12′).
The ProPanel Fabric-Wrapped Acoustical Absorption Panel by Auralex measures 2″ x 2′ x 4″, with a beveled edge and obsidian color. It’s made to address acoustic challenges in recording studios, mastering rooms, homes, and home theaters.
Use these panels to reduce distracting reverb, improve speech clarity, and minimize unwanted reflections and flutter echoes. Improving your room’s sonic accuracy leads to a more enjoyable and productive experience in the space.
These fabric-wrapped fiberglass Auralex panels are Class A fire-rated and offer a noise reduction coefficient of 1.05. They can be mounted on walls or ceilings. The ProPanel ProKit-1 includes seven beveled wall panels (2″ x 2′ x 4″) and two reverse-mitered corner bass trap panels (2″ x 2′ x 4″). Mounting accessories are included.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | For US Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Auralex ProPanel ProKit-1 Acoustical Room Treatment System |
|
Now that you’ve read our reviews, hopefully you’ve found a set of acoustic foam panels that fit your needs. However, there’s a good chance you still have some questions about this product.
Maybe you’re unsure what the panels are made of. You might not know how many you should buy. Or perhaps you’re wondering where the best place to install them is. There’s no need to worry—we’re here to clear things up. We’ll answer some of the most common questions you might have.
In our buyer’s guide, we’ll give you all the important information about acoustic panels. Be sure to read this information carefully. If you do, you’ll not only make a smart purchase, but you’ll also be ready to install your panels as soon as they arrive.
What are Acoustic Panels and What are They Made From?
If you’re new to home recording, you’ve probably been researching what you need in your studio to capture professional-quality audio.
Acoustic panels are one of the pieces of equipment you’ve likely seen recommended over and over. But do you know what they actually do?
Thankfully, they’re pretty straightforward. These panels are made from sound-absorbing materials and are placed on hard surfaces like walls or ceilings.
Instead of sound bouncing off these hard surfaces—causing echoes and reverb—the panels absorb the sound. This prevents unwanted reflections, making your recordings sound warmer and more professional.
Acoustic panels aren’t just for people who record music. They’re also extremely helpful for anyone making YouTube videos or podcasts.
By reducing echoes and dampening sound, they make your voice clearer, warmer, and more natural. They also help eliminate common background noises.
These panels come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Typically, you can cut them to the shape or size that best fits your needs.
How To Fix Acoustic Panels Without Damaging Your Walls
There are several ways to install acoustic panels on your walls and ceiling without causing much damage. Many easy-to-install acoustic panels can help reduce unwanted sound waves that can interfere with your listening experience.
Glues and Adhesives
Liquid adhesives made for mounting acoustic panels—such as Auralex’s TubeTak Pro—along with spray adhesives like FoamTak and adhesive mounting tabs like EZ-Stick, all do an excellent job of securing your panels to walls and ceilings.
However, because these adhesives are so strong, they often end up pulling off your paint when you try to remove them and can also damage the panels themselves.
Studio owners have come up with several creative options:
- Command Picture Hanging Strips – These adhesive strips won’t damage your walls when removed, according to the manufacturer.
- Monkey Hook Picture Hangers – These hooks create only a tiny hole in your wall but can support up to 50 lbs when used on standard 1.2″ drywall.
- Double-Sided Tape – This tape is strong enough to hold lightweight panels and usually won’t peel paint off the walls.
- Impaling Clips – These affordable clips are designed for hanging panels and bass traps. They screw into the wall, letting them support much more weight than adhesive solutions. Screw holes are easy to patch and paint over if needed.
- Small Head Nails – We installed our panels using small head nails. The holes are so small that they don’t cause visible damage to the panels, walls, or ceiling.
How one can get the Best Result out of Acoustic Panels?
Using acoustic panels isn’t a difficult job, but you can get much better sound quality and improve selective noise absorption by following the tips below.
Be sure to use soundproof paint before installing these panels, as this will help reduce sound reflection.
It’s best to use both acoustic panels and diffusers on the side walls to eliminate flutter echo and comb filtering.
Behind the recording setup, you should use both acoustic panels and bass traps to absorb high, mid, and low frequencies.
Make sure to place bass traps strategically in every area where the ceiling meets the walls, as this will reduce bass buildup.
Additionally, use acoustic foam tiles (sound absorption tiles) on the floor so your room becomes as close to 100% noise-free as possible.
Along with these tips, make sure you choose high-quality acoustic panels. The best way to measure the quality of the material is by its NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) number.
If the material has an NRC value of 0.05, that means it can only absorb 5% of the noise energy and will reflect the rest, causing more noise and echo. So, choose panels with an NRC value close to 1.
Follow these tips carefully, because simply buying soundproof panels isn’t enough. You have to set them up properly—or, if you have some extra money, you can hire a professional to do the job.
Conclusion
Using sound-dampening panels in your studio can greatly improve sound quality, enhance sound absorption, and help reduce noise. Absorbing sound should be one of your top priorities when you start building your studio.
We recommend avoiding acoustic foam panels, as even the best acoustic foam can’t do the job perfectly. While foam panels may offer some basic sound isolation if you’re on a tight budget, for serious acoustic treatment, we suggest using real acoustic panels instead.
To block sound and reduce unwanted reflections, you’ll need sound-absorbing panels, acoustic tiles, bass traps, and diffusers. With these, your recording studio will block harmful sound waves, and unwanted reflections will be significantly reduced.
If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below!
