How does drywall compromise the music/movie sanctuary experience?

Audio and video systems offer sanctuary from the harsh-noisy-daily grind. An AV system delivers music and movies, relieves stress, recharges energy, and soothes the soul. It’s a promising shared space that can also bring family and friends together.

Elevate the experience

A better/best audio & video system elevates the sanctuary experience.
A floor-standing or bookshelf floor-stand-mounted speaker anchors the better/best experience.

However, the better and best speakers require floor space.
And this may be at odds with your desired room aesthetics.

The Negotiation

A custom-installed architectural in-ceiling/in-wall speaker system can negotiate and bridge the speaker/aesthetic floor-space gap.

However, a typical drywall installation compromises audio performance.
Drywall (chalk, paper, glue) sucks the heart out of your music and movie soundtracks.

The graph exposes a vast distorting gap of a premium brand name in-ceiling speaker mounted in drywall.

The average 10-decibel loss from 600Hz to 1.5KHz illustrates how drywall generates muddy bass, harsh mid-range vocals, and forfeits decibel level.

Why?

Why does drywall corrupt your music and movie sound?
A demonstration illustrates.
Move laterally along and strike/tap a typical drywall-covered wall.
If you hear a solid thud, you have found a wood stud location.
Custom in-wall/ceiling speakers must be centered between studs for proper installation.
You’re centered between the studs if you hear a hollow drum-like sound.

The hollow drum-like sound illustrates inherent drywall resonance, which will combine with your custom-installed speaker’s sound. It is as a discordant distorting uninvited guest to the band.

In addition, drywall mechanically flexes out-of-phase with your speaker.
The drywall becomes a vacuum that sucks vocal and mid-bass warmth.

Drywall Solutions

Here are three options that minimize distorting out-of-phase drywall resonance, which recovers the premium audio performance you paid for.

1. Install hardwood paneled walls and ceilings.
This solution comes at an expensive time and materials cost.

2. Install a wood baffle between studs before hanging the drywall.
Confirm the drywall installation avoids baffle damage.
Or create a retrofit baffle that inserts through the speaker cutout.
Both baffles require time and materials.

3. Install the SandTrap Architectural Speaker Tuning System.
This out-of-the-box solution is an easier-to-install, lower-cost, retrofit solution.

The following graph illustrates the SandTrap reviving the previously noted in-ceiling speaker.

It measurably & demonstrably reversed the distorting effects of drywall (paper/chalk/glue).
The $69.99 SandTrap easily inserts via the speaker cutout.