Dynamat Install

i would look at RAAMaudio - Automotive sound deadening products

i have read good things about them and will go with them when i do it.

 

I would take time to plan things through. Since you will have all the body panels off for the dynamat, you might as well upgrade speakers, etc. while you are at it.

 

I do not recommend DynoMat. They are HEAVY and outrageously priced. If you are going to lay down the entire floor board and door panels you can easily add 100+ lbs with Dynomat.

There are other altnerativesto DynoMat. I believed I used Fat-Mat a number of years ago on another vehicle.

 

My installer introduced me to Cache. It is thicker and the per unit cost is cheaper. This may not apply to ebay purchases.

 

It is quite heavy. They have a "light" version...but I think they are even more expensive.

I have installed it before...just like most things, it takes some practice and getting all the angles and cuts right to fit the car and not interfere with the body panels (ie cut outs for bolts, cables, etc).

Of course lots of mods on here to benchmark from!

 

If you do decide to install Dynamat or some other dampening material, I would suggest taking before and after measurements of road noise. You can get a free SPL meter for many smart phones. On the iPhone Logitech's Ultimate Ears has a spiffy (and free) app.

If anyone is interested, my 2010 Prius with Hushmat in the doors and some of the floor ranges from 69-73db on southern California freeways. Smooth asphalt near Irvine is silky smooth at 69db, most grooved concrete is about 72db between San Diego and Los Angeles.

 

I installed Dynamat on front doors and under rear seats on my Subaru. I agree that they are really heavy and expensive.

I just purchased a set of Lightning Audio (made by Rockford Fosgate) instead for Prius, which seems much less expensive. Just not sure how good they are compare to Dynamat...

Lightning Audio DEADSKIN Professional Sound Damping / Deadening Mats (2) | eBay

 

I bought my Dynamat Extreme through Amazon. It wasn't cheap but the Price was way better than Audio shops or buying directly from Dynamat. About 1/2 of list price.

 

I bought a 36 sq/ft box of Dynamat Extreme from Amazon for $95 on sale, an excellent price to be sure. I've used Dynamat on many cars with excellent results. The trick is that you don't have to cover every part. Smaller pieces can be used to keep the weight down with very similar results. I was told to do it like that from a Dynamat installer many years ago. here are some pics from when I did my doors on my 09 Corolla S.

 

Do you have your "before" db readings to compare with?

Also, did you cover as much as you could? Or did you use the Hushmat sparingly?

 

I regret not having "before" readings. The install was done at an audio shop in San Diego where they did as much as they could within the time I was willing to pay for. The installer was very experienced and covered all of the doors and most of the floors including the hatch area.

In addition to the Hushmat, I traded in the OEM Yokohamas for Michelin MXV4s at a substantial discount from Discount Tire. The change in tires resulted in a reduction of some road noise on rough highway concrete. Local driving is also subjectively more quiet with the Michelins.

Much of the highway road noise is now replaced with wind noise from the A pillars and possibly mirrors. BTW, the readings were taken at 70mph with traffic and the iPhone mounted in the cup holder. I'd be interested in SPL readings from other members as well.

 

Thanks, this seems like it makes sense when you think about it. The dynamat is absorbing the sound vibration being transmitted by the vibrating door skins, and by applying it on strategic locations like the pictures, it will do what it was intented to do. Before this posting, I thought one would have to cover it so it has no holes where sound can come through... never thought of it like this before. Great info bro!

 

Seems like you have to be careful what you silence. You can accentuate another noise not heard before. Lose road noise and pick up a wind whistle, doesn't seem like a good trade.

 

Isn't it better to also apply insulating plastic cover on the holes?

 

I've insulated the whole floor pan and hatch in my Corvette, like you said, now I hear wind noise at 160mph. lmao!

I currently have wind noise and road noise in my 2011 Prius. If I can eliminate one, it would be a good start.

 

It's even better to completely block the holes. I sued 1/8 inch plywood than but Dynamat extreme over that. In a side by side comparison (ne door sealed, the other not sealed) the improvement in sound quality was noticeable.

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachm...on-jbl-spearker-upgrade-gen3door-speakers.pdf

 

Question - was it necessary to install aluminum rings?

 

The stock speakers are acoustically coupled to the speaker grill holes in the door by a foam gasket, I didn't want to do worse than that with coupling the speakers to the upholstery panel/grill holes. The aluminum rings are part of sealing the speaker front sides to the speaker grill holes. It is a good thing to do, whether or not the difference is audible, I don't know.

 

Ha, wind noise at 160 is acceptable