Objective analysis of cabin noise solutions

Falcor

i think if we can make the ride more comfortable, why not? Personally I wouldnt want to add too much weight to achieve this but if the car is a daily driver some might.

But i think M4A1Mustang is right about the amount of weight that would be needed to significantly reduce noise.

daisuke149

wouldnt need to add a ton of weight, but then costs go up.

A single plexiglass barrier between cabin/trunk area would eliminate alot and then just a lil sound deadening in the doors would probably do wonders.

Issue is, how to make the glass barrier and cost for that. And then where to mount it without drilling etc. Also a removable one would be best IMO. Kinda like T-Tops! but for the inside...

Falcor

maybe that would work, but i wouldn't do it. Not only would it kill my sub but i think it would look awful.

daisuke149

it would only look awful if the design was awful...

and it would possibly damped the OEM sub but an aftermarket sub shouldnt be effected as much.

SeattleLion

I am amazed at the emotional response to a suggestion on how we can put numbers around an issue that a lot of people share. For example, Consumers Reports, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Top Gear.... to name a few all cite the car as noisy. In my original post I didn't say that *I* find the car too noisy, just that if we apply the same kind of approach we use for engine, exhaust, brake mods (numbers!), we can help people who *want* to reduce noise find the best solution.

In answer to one of the adult posts, I suggest the phone be held next to the right ear of the driver. This would probably yield a reasonable baseline.

That's it.

shadoquad

I think Mt Tam hit it on the head, though. The emotional response was due to the first paragraph. You suggested a solid consensus that just isn't there.

Like I said, I found the rest of the post to be about providing helpful analysis.

kenchan

if you're really going to measure db, get a real SPL meter and a good one.

phone + apps can vary over 15dB right off. 3dB is twice the sound level, not 10dB. then add the phone's pre-programmed audio software that calibrates max performance of that mic in that housing, add multi-array setup phones that actually CANCEL noise outside the polar pattern you got basically a super biased reading of your cabin.

kinda like measuing horse power via your butt.

shadoquad

lol the good ol' butt dyno