Best Acoustic Foam Reviews 2018

Acoustic foams are highly specialized acoustical products that have precise applications for the achievement of specific acoustic objectives. Anyone who has had to handle acoustic issues in the studio, or any listening environment with acoustic problems, knows how difficult it can be to choose the right acoustic foam. We have taken time to do some extensive research, and have come up with products that will help you solve some of your acoustic problems. We have chosen five top brands that offer quality acoustic products, and from these, we have chosen one product each. They have other products that may interest you, but we focused on these top five selections.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Pattern

Size/Weight

NRC

Flammability

Quantity

Our Top Choice

Monoprice Isolation Shield

Monoprice has built a stellar reputation for product excellence and customer service. It has over 6,500 high-quality and affordable electronic products sold across the world.

It is well built with superior acoustic foam and all-metal back plates. It is adjustable to create a tighter recording space, and it has multiple mounting options.

It is heavy and a regular mic stand may not hold it.

Ridges

3.2 x 16.3 x 7.5 inches; 11.3 lbs

Info not provided

Class A

Best Value

Soundproof Store Studio Foam Tiles

Soundproof Store offers foams that are specially made to provide acoustic solutions. Its soundproofing foams don’t crumble or harden, but continue to deliver acoustically.

They are easy to set up, and they add a professional look to your recording space.

Foam smells strongly after shipping.

Tiles

10.8 x 10.7 x 6.6 inches; 1.7 lbs

0.65

Class A

Auralex Acoustics Absorption Foam

Auralex Acoustics offers acoustic products that are more affordable and more effective than what was obtainable before. It is helping its customers attain truer sound at a reasonable price.

They are easy to put up, and they have a maximized surface area for greater exposure to sound waves. They also look great.

Some wish it was bigger.

Waves

12 x 2 x 12 inches; 5.4 lbs

0.80

Class B

Pro Studio Acoustics Wedge Foam

Pro Studio Acoustics was founded to meet the increasing demand for quality, affordable acoustic products.

It is highly effective, adds a professional look to your recording and listening space, and comes well packaged with installation instructions. It is also proudly made in the USA.

Not for actual soundproofing.

Tiles

12 x 13 x 8 inches; 0.6 lbs

0.40

Class A

Foamily Acoustic Panels

Foamily makes acoustic foams of various types, offering these high-quality products at very competitive prices.

These tiles are very affordable, and work well for mid - high frequencies. They add a professional look to your space and are made in the USA.

Cases of size inconsistency have been reported.

Tiles

12.8 x 12 x 7.9 inches; 0.7 lbs

Info not provided

Class A

(Updated October 19, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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Watch Our Acoustic Foam Review

How Do I Choose the Best Acoustic Foam?

The study of acoustics is a very broad and specialized one. The best we can do here is offer some very basic guidelines and tips that can help you pick the best foam for your current acoustic problem. Sound waves have a broad spectrum that cuts across several frequency ranges. Acoustic foams are designed to address different frequency ranges. No one foam can solve all your acoustic challenges. To really know how to address these challenges, you will need to study studio acoustics. It will also depend what sound you are producing. You might be jamming out on your electric guitar or even your electric bass; whatever it is, there will be an acoustic foam to suit you!

In a studio, achieving a perfect or near-perfect sonically balanced listening environment requires that a lot of different factors work well together. This starts with the level of noise your studio computer and other gear generate. You will need to address the issue of isolation, and then the issue of treatment. These are two different acoustic challenges with varying levels of difficulty. Acoustic isolation is a much more specialized project, so we will focus more on acoustic treatments, which are easier to handle.

Every room has ambient sounds and reflections. These sounds need to be controlled and not allowed to bounce around unfettered. This affects your listening, and also how your studio microphone sounds when recorded. When in this situation, you need to decide what is important and what you want to handle immediately. If you want to improve the sound of your recordings via your studio mic, then you will need to get an isolation foam for your microphone. This will cut off the ambient and reflective sounds and make your recordings crisper. It will not affect your listening environment.

To treat your listening environment, you will need to get studio wedges for spot treatment, bass absorbers to absorb the low frequencies, corner column foams to break standing waves in corners and diffusers to add some life to the space. These are different acoustic materials with different uses. The first thing you need to do is identify the problem in your listening environment. Is it low frequency or high frequency? Is your room sounding too boomy? Is it sounding too thin? Is your recording sounding noisy or muddy? Once you can identify the exact problem, you can then pick out the acoustic foam designed to address that problem. Stay with us as we take you on this acoustic ride.

Price

Acoustic foams are among the least expensive of acoustic products. This is the main reason why they are so popular. Even at that, there are still differences in the prices of these foams. The best quality foams are also usually the more expensive ones. The reverse also holds true. If you need the best acoustic foam, then be ready to pay a little bit more.

You can get good quality acoustic foams for $20 to $130. Note that there are considerations like quantity of foams, size of foams and, of course, the quality. Don’t just take the price at face value; look deeper to see what the price is buying. We have made sure not to include cheap acoustic foams that do not offer any value. Every foam we have listed will offer you value for the money.

Features

Acoustic foams all deal with sound. However, sound has a wide spectrum, and so do these foams. When choosing an acoustic foam, there are major things to look for to be sure it can handle the acoustic challenge you need corrected.

The features to watch out for include:

The frequency it is suited for
Its noise reduction coefficient (NRC)
Shape and dimension
Aesthetics -- how good it looks
The brand selling it – some brands are associated with quality
Durability – determined by the quality of materials used
Affordability

Construction and Design

Foams are foams and do not require too many considerations, but there are a few things to look for if you want the best. One thing that is important is the cut of the foam. Foams with precise cuts are easier to put up. They align easily without leaving spaces. This may not really affect the acoustic outcome, but it will surely affect the aesthetics.

The shape of an acoustic foam plays a big part in its absorption capabilities. Smooth foams allow sound to bounce off them and, from a sound control perspective, that isn’t such a good thing. There’s the “egg crate” acoustic foam, which has become so famous for its capacity to absorb sound that it’s even used in shooting ranges. There is also the wedge-shaped acoustic foam that absorbs sound well, but is limited by the direction it faces at any time. It is, however, popular for its aesthetics.

You may want an acoustic foam that combines the advantages of each of the above foam types. In that case, you’ll have to opt for a combination acoustic foam. It usually comes in asymmetric and irregular shapes, has no definite direction, and has many curves on its surface. This type excels in both absorption and proper reflection of sound, making it great for use in large halls, theaters and professional studios.

Performance and Ease of Use

Acoustic foams are usually not difficult to use. However, before putting them on with the usual adhesive spray, be sure that you are comfortable with sticking them to your wall. If you ever want to move them, you may have to destroy them - or your wall. Depending on the kind of acoustic foam, you can create a base where you place them so you can move them around should the need arise. You can also tack them on with tack pins.

How you use these foams will be determined by the type of foam and what you want to achieve. Just be sure you get a foam that is of a good enough quality to withstand the use. Once you do, you will be able to use it in any way that best helps you achieve your acoustic goals.

What is the Best Acoustic Foam?

After looking at the major factors that need to be considered when choosing acoustic foams, you should have a picture of the kind of acoustic foam you really need. You alone understand the acoustic problem you want to fix. Hopefully, with this guide, you now understand what you need to fix this problem. Let us then begin to review our five top selections.

Our Top Choice

The Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield shields your microphone from interfering sounds. It has acoustic foam facing the sound source and a vented metal plate behind it. It will improve the quality of your audio. Need something more compact? Try the Monoprice Pro Audio Compact Desktop Acoustic Microphone Isolation Shield.

Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield with an Acoustic Foam Front

Monoprice Acoustic Foam 602650

Features

Monoprice was established in 2002, and has since built a stellar reputation for product excellence and customer service. With over 6,500 high-quality and affordable electronic products, its reach has spread across the world. By building on a business model that eliminates layers within the supply chain, it is able to get products to customers at incomparable speed and at very competitive prices.

When recording audio in an environment that's not properly treated acoustically, ambient and reflected sounds can reduce the quality of your takes. The Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield ($74.05 - Manufacturer's Recommended Selling Price) helps shield your microphone from these interfering sounds. It has top-quality acoustic foam in the front facing the, sound source, and a vented metal plate behind it. These prevent reflections and also allow the microphone to breathe. It can be folded inward for easy storage or for making acoustically isolated space tighter. Its full features include:

Acoustic foam front
Vented metal back plate
Dual clamp mounting bracket
Standard 3/8-inch microphone threaded mount
A 3/8 to 5/8-inch thread adapter
Can be used in a normal upright orientation or can be inverted
Measures about 17.3" x 15.4" x 5.5" when folded
Measures about 23.5" x 15.4" x 11.0" when extended

All assembly and mounting hardware is included.

Get the Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield today and begin recording crisper and cleaner audio.

Best Value

The Acoustic Wedge Studio Foam Tiles from Soundproof Store are professionally made to effectively combat standing waves and absorb flutter echoes. They're perfect for studio control rooms and recording booths. Need fewer wedges? Go for the Soundproof Store Acoustic Panels Soundproofing Foam, which is a pack of 6 wedges.

Soundproof Store Pack of 12 Acoustic Wedge Soundproofing Studio Foam Tiles - Charcoal Black & Burgundy Maroon

Soundproof Store Acoustic Foam Sou-4492

Features

Soundproof Store offers foams that are specially made to provide acoustic and isolation solutions. It stands by its products and assures that its soundproofing foams will never crumble or harden. For years to come, these foams will continue to deliver acoustically. It also ensures that its foams are cut with precision and accuracy, so the pieces match perfectly. This further improves the professional look of customers' studios.

The Acoustic Wedge Studio Foam Tiles from Soundproof Store are made of professional acoustic foam that effectively combats standing waves and absorbs flutter echoes in most studios. This makes them perfectly suited for studio control rooms and recording booths. Aside from the acoustical value, these wedges will also improve the aesthetics and professional look of any studio. Their features include the following:

Pack of 12 sheets
Six charcoal tiles
Six burgundy tiles
Covers 12 square feet
Overall NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) - 0.65
Class A fire rating
1.2 pounds per cubic foot density

This product is proudly made in the USA.

Soundproof Store has a wide range of acoustic foams. If this isn’t the one for you, check out the others.

The Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies offer great spot treatment in recording or listening environments. They solve problems with flutter echoes. If you're looking for a more complete acoustic treatment, get the Auralex Acoustics Roominator Acoustic Absorption Treatment Room Kit. It comes with a set of DST-112 and DST-114 panels.

Auralex Acoustics Charcoal Studiofoam Wedgies Acoustic Absorption Foam – Available in 2 Pack Sizes

Auralex Acoustics Acoustic Foam WEDGIE-24 – 24 Pack

Features

Auralex Acoustics was born from a need to provide acoustic foams that were more affordable than the very expensive ones available 40 years ago. Today, Auralex has succeeded in creating acoustic products that are not just more affordable, but also more effective. Auralex's passion now is helping all its customers attain truer sound at a reasonable price.

The Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies ($129.99 - Manufacturer's Recommended Selling Price) are one-inch squares of two-inch-thick Studiofoam that offer great spot treatment solutions in studios and other listening environments. These wedges offer a maximized surface area for greater exposure to sound waves. They have a Class B fire rating and a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of .80, and they are great for handling problems with flutter echoes. They also look great in your studio or listening space.

Auralex Acoustics has other great acoustic products. These include:

Auralex Acoustics MoPAD-XL Monitor Acoustic Isolation Pads: These are great for isolating your monitor from the base it's resting on, for a clearer and tighter bass sound
Auralex Acoustics SubDude-II Subwoofer Acoustic Isolation Platform: These help you isolate your subwoofer from any surface, reducing structural vibrations and increasing low-end clarity
Auralex Acoustics SonoLite Bass Trap Low Frequency Absorption Panel: Standing waves can ruin your listening environment. These will help absorb the low frequencies that form standing waves
Auralex Acoustics Tubetak Pro Liquid Adhesive: This is easily the best adhesive for fixing your acoustic foams
Auralex Acoustics GeoFusor Sound Diffusor: These add life to your listening environment while still taming flutter waves and standing waves

Not sold on this model? Look at Auralex Acoustics’s wide selection of acoustic foams for the one that’s right for you.

The 1 Inch Acoustic Wedge Foam from Pro Studio Acoustics provides affordable moderate sound control. It has extra additives for acoustic sound absorption applications, an NRC of 0.40, and is perfect for spot treatment. If you're looking for something thicker, try the Pro Studio Acoustics 12" x 12" x 2" Acoustic Wedge Foam. It is an inch thicker than this model.

Pro Studio Acoustics 1 Inch Acoustic Wedge Foam 12-Pack Soundproofing Tiles – Available in 5 Colors

Pro Studio Acoustics Acoustic Foam 12"x12"x1”– Blue/Charcoal

Features

Pro Studio Acoustics was founded by Bryan to meet the increasing demand for quality, affordable acoustic products. The products being sold were either too expensive or of too low a quality. With his experience as an acoustical research engineer, Bryan founded a company to make high-quality acoustic products that incorporate tested and trusted acoustic properties. These products are now offered at much more affordable prices by Pro Studio Acoustics.

The 1 Inch Acoustic Wedge Foam from Pro Studio Acoustics ($39.99 - Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price) is an acoustic foam that provides moderate sound control on a budget. The foams are made with extra additives for acoustic sound absorption applications. With an NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) of 0.40, it is perfect for spot treatment in studios, listening rooms, control rooms, home theaters and other spaces where acoustic control is needed. Each tile covers one square foot, for a total coverage area of 12 square feet.

These wedges are fire retardant (ASTM E84 Class A and California TB #117) and precision machine cut to ensure uniform size and straight edges for easy installation. They come in eight color combinations for a more professional studio look. This product is proudly made in the USA.

To control a full spectrum of audio waves, these wedges will need to be used with bass absorbers.

If you want to check out other Pro Studio Acoustics acoustic foams before making a final decision, see what else they have.

The Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges from Foamily is a 12-pack of tiles that are one inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches high. This foam spreads over a wide area, providing efficient acoustic treatment. If you do not need up to 12 pieces, get the Foamily Pyramid Studio Treatment Wall Panels. This product has six pieces that are also an inch thicker.

Foamily 12-Pack Charcoal Acoustic Studio Foam Wedges 1" X 12" X 12"

Foamily Acoustic Foam 12packacousticfoam1

Features

Foamily makes acoustic foams of various types. They offer these high-quality acoustic foams at very competitive prices.

The Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges ($19.99 - Manufacturer's Recommended Selling Price) is a 12-pack of acoustic foam tiles that are one inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches high. This thin layer of foam spreads over a wide area, providing a more efficient acoustic treatment. Note that this is not an isolation foam. It is not for soundproofing, but for mild acoustic treatments. These tiles are best for spot treatment in studios, practice rooms and home theatres. This is an easy and affordable way of treating mild acoustic issues without having to call a professional acoustician. This acoustic foam is of high quality and will not deteriorate or fall apart with use. Simply keep it clean by dusting mildly.

Foamily offers other great acoustic products. They include:

Column Acoustic Wedge Studio Soundproofing Foam: Great for filling corners to avoid sound building up in them
Acoustic Foam Sound Absorption Pyramid Studio Treatment Wall Panels: These will help reduce standing waves and diffuse sound from parallel walls
6 Pack - Ice Blue Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Convoluted 2.5" X 12" X 12" Sound Tiles: Great for further taming mid – high frequencies
Acoustic Foam Bass Trap: These trap low frequencies, reducing “boominess” and giving clarity to your low frequencies

These products and others by Foamily are proudly made in the USA.

While this is a great product, if it’s not the right one for you, check out Foamily’s other acoustic foams.

Get the Best Acoustic Foam of 2018!

You have gone through this guide and review, and hopefully you now know exactly what you need. Go right ahead and place your order now to begin enjoying a more sonically balanced listening environment.

Our Top Choice

Monoprice Isolation Shield

Best Value

Soundproof Store Studio Foam Tiles

Auralex Acoustics Absorption Foam

Pro Studio Acoustics Wedge Foam

Foamily Acoustic Panels