How Acoustic Foam is Different from Regular Foam

Blog provided by The Foam Factory

We’ve previously talked about acoustic foam and its benefits for sound absorption and improving sound quality inside recording studios. While every recording artist can attest to its effectiveness, have you ever wondered what makes acoustic foam different from conventional foam? After all, different types of foam are also used in mattresses, cushions, and packaging.

Acoustic foam is a specialized product that has unique traits suited to its use as a sound absorption material in venues such as recording studios, concert halls, and theaters. For example, acoustic foam is made to be durable since it is prone to human contact and accidents can happen when people are passing next to it.

Furthermore, acoustic foam has some different structural properties such as having a balanced level of firmness. Firmer foam is better at absorbing low-frequency sound, while softer foam is better at absorbing high-frequency sound. Acoustic foam should be able to absorb sound waves at any frequency, so it cannot be too firm or too soft.

Also, acoustic foam tends to have a more dense open-cell structure than other types of open-cell foam. Foam is often measured according to PPI or Pores Per Inch, and pieces of foam with higher PPI ratings are better at absorbing sounds. This is why acoustic foam is designed to have more pores per cell.

The Foam Factory carries a variety of conventional foam and acoustic foam products. Check their website for foam mattresses, foam seat cushions, packaging foam, and a collection of high-quality acoustic foam items.