Rigid Fiber Panel - Faced vs unfaced

[adrian_nye]

I'm buying some rigid fiberglass to make bass traps and found the following link. Look at the acoustic absorption table at the bottom.
I thought the unfaced panels would absorb better than "FSK" faced panels.
But it is actually more subtle. For the same thickness and density, unfaced panels absorb highs better and the faced panels absorb bass better. So since I'm trying to absorb bass, then the faced panels work better, plus I might not have to wrap them. Whadyathink?

http://www.knauffiberglass.com/index...odDetail&ID=12

Also, the lightest density seems to absorb as well or better than any of the heavier densities - interesting!

[COOLCAT]

yeah, its a wierd science.
the more i learn the less i know kinda thing.

i get the "trap effect" explanation.

so placement is important for sure. i don't know about the front or back choice, but what you said makes perfectly good sense to my understanding of it...

one side is going to absorb more than the other but both will do something to the sound.

the way i see it you got your specs, ears, meter's, of course your mixes in the end.

hell.......... do both types!!!

[lomky]

I think I remember Ethan mentioning that faced will absorb more highs than unfaced. So if you want a bass trap use unfaced. I don't remember where I read this, I think it was on John Sayers forum. I'll see if I can find it.

(edit)
hmm, can't seem to find it. I'm pretty sure I read this though. And the link you gave kind of confirms this.

[Ethan Winer]

Adrian,

> For the same thickness and density, unfaced panels absorb highs better and the faced panels absorb bass better. <

Right, see my Density Report:

www.ethanwiner.com/density/density.html

--Ethan