Bass Trap vs Acoustic Panel

Difference between thick low-frequency absorbers and thin mid-high acoustic panels.

Standard acoustic panels (1" to 2" thick) absorb high frequencies above 500 Hz. Bass traps (4" to 12" thick or pressure-membrane resonant traps) absorb long low-frequency sound waves below 200 Hz.

In-Depth Acoustic Principle

Because low-frequency sound waves have wavelengths up to 10+ meters, effective bass trapping requires thick porous material placed at velocity maximums or corner pressure maximums.

Cited Standards & Papers:
  • Cox, T. & D’Antonio, P. (2016). Acoustic Absorbers and Diffusers

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