Mass Loaded Vinyl Soundproofing - What Weight Do I Need to Block Out Noise?

Our Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl sound barrier solutions are available in several different weights or thicknesses. In this video we demonstrate the sound and noise blocking capabilities of each MLV weight.
To learn more or to place an order, go to:
.5LB Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl: www.soundproof...
.75LB Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl: www.soundproof...
1LB Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl: www.soundproof...
1.5LB Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl: www.soundproof...
2LB Noise Grabber™ MLV Mass Loaded Vinyl: www.soundproof...

[@video422]

A lot of people speak about soundproofing on KZbin but not many show test like this! Thank you for that.

[@nitromusik9275]

And not many fake the testresults by using a high pitched sound like the horn to show how good this exact high sound is beeing dampend instead of showing a range of frequencies. If he would have done that by playing a song instead of that high sound AND had a speaker that could produce half decent base, this test would have shown the opposite result. Dont be fooled. Im not saying this product is bad for what it can do BUT this test was crazy biased.

[@1archengdes111]

@@nitromusik9275 wow your comment is such an eye opener, thank you so much for taking the time to sharing your knowledge to keep us better informed.

[@dylanj8676]

@@nitromusik9275 Yeah I hate all these tests you see where they're just dampening high frequency sounds that aren't going to be traveling through walls.

[@MrHarbinged]

@@dylanj8676 but don't they use this in cars to dampen the bass? How would you like to see the test go?

[@dylanj8676]

@@MrHarbinged This won't help the really low frequencies in a building because that travels through the structure. I can't speak about how much MLV does in cars, but I would imagine it's airtightness of the doors and windows that does the most work there. The MLV is great for high frequencies like we've seen in the video, but when you get down to like 250 Hz it's way less effective. For reference a lot of 2 lb/sf MLV at 1 KHz attentuates around 30 dB. 250 Hz is somewhere around 15 dB. It's like a third as effective (10 dB difference is perceived as double the level, 20 dB would be half as much isolation as 30 dB, and 10 dB is half as much as 20dB, so 15 is approximately a third). That means you'll still hear a lot of noise bleed through shared walls and floors. If a kid is playing ball in the apartment next door or kids are running around you'll still hear it. The only actually solution to super low frequencies is proper isolation, which means decoupling (as in don't live in a place with shared walls) and having thick walls and making everything as air tight as possible. There's a reason proper recording rooms are airtight with double doors and a decoupled "floating" floor. And on the subject of cars, if a car stereo is turned up really loud you will absolutely hear the music even with windows up, it'll just be muffled because the bass frequencies aren't being attenuated much. That's how hard it is to deal with low frequency noise. What they should be doing is a test using different frequencies in different octaves. Not something way higher than the noise people are looking to block.

[@retniretep9477]

The reason why there's little difference between some of the different widths is that the measuring device is placed on the table, near the opening or gap so it's going to be fairly similar from box to box to box since they all have similar gaps when laying on that surface with only gravity to create a seal. Would have been better to place the measuring device above the box so that the sound escaping through the bottom gap is not the primary sound being measured.

[@harlanjackson6112]

I agree. Notice when he held them snug the db rating was lower. had he done that across the board would there have been a more accurate comparison of the performance of the different weights/thicknesses of MLV?

[@keithblackmore9]

You are absolutely correct my friend. And add onto that the fact that he is playing an air horn as the control signal. It would be much more informative if he played specific frequencies using a tone generator and calibrated the volume of each said frequency according to the speakers ability to produce them. Then you would be able to chart a somewhat more accurate performance of these materials. It’s a shame when people selling a product don’t understand the field of science that it exists in. I’m sure he’s a good guy but this is just silly.

[@yeahnah4303]

that's eeeexactly what I was thinking! Good on ya Keith!! This video literally annoyed me. @@keithblackmore9

[@linkagev]

Just a heads up this is very useful material to block sound. One thing he didn’t quite do right and what really helps even more so than his test is that it needs to be air tight. That horn was still leaking from the bottom. If you seal this you’ll get even more reduced decibels than his test. If you have any air leakage then that’s sound leakage and that definitely makes it easier for it to escape. 20 decibels is definitely great improvement, just remember decibels isn’t a linear measurement.

[@tangmaster123]

Never have I had to adjust the volume so many times in a video. Jesus Christ

[@opa4056]

Thank you for this! This video is freaking brilliant. Proof it works and the video isn’t 20 minutes long!!!! You’re my hero.

[@ManageableRapTactics]

Good to finally see an actual video by a soundproofer.

[@shifterverse]

Thank you for this! Great to see the product tested in real time and clearly not set up to give unrealistic expectations. MLV was my go to when I used to build recording studios, especially on the floors. Some sounds you just can't stop unless your willing to put 2 feet of air tight concrete around you, an air horn is certainly one of them 😂

[@noonesbusiness959]

You sir are a genius!! I love how you showed the differences enough that ai subscribed and liked you video! You have my respect! Great job!! I will share this!!

[@genehodsdon5261]

Thanks so much for doing this!!! I’d be curious the effects on lower frequencies

[@Constitution1789]

Yes, lower frequencies are the source of many complaints.

[@Tjocksnorriss]

Not that great, for the lower stuff you need mass like bricks or thick concrete.

[@DuraMaxDieHard101]

You should really redo the 2 lb because it was 2 db's higher than your 1.5 lb? Could I just wrap this around my in ceiling speaker boxes? Still in new construction stage of home theatre.

[@cymaticchaos2425]

Yes, as we could see the box was not properly seated on the last test as it went more to his right.

[@charliefoster4126]

I like this test and this guy. I really like that grin he has after he puts the box over the speaker, so proud of himself LOL

[@lucistheband6540]

This is fantastic and great! No difference however between the 1.5 and 2 lb. This is going to help me with my decision on how to soundproof my new condo music room!!

[@GaunCochran]

Careful though, I’m pretty sure the difference could be related to the seal at the bottom of the boxes, since the 2 lb box was much quieter for a split second when he pressed down on it which suggests a leak at the bottom

[@cheinei]

Thank you!!! You can hear everything in my apartment living room like the door is wide open. Its horrible. Im running to homedepot asap. Thanks again!

[@annavariumful]

Thank you for a VERY easy to understand compassion. I think you would have had even better results if the base pad was larger / flatter so all the various boxes were equally sealed at their base.

[@Tennouseijin]

Good thing I have my computer sound drivers configured to normalize sound (making loud noises quieter and quiet noises louder) so watching this video wasn't too bad on my ears ;) Condolences to all the people who listened to this on loudspeakers and didn't turn down the volume.

[@johnpadams8079]

This material is frequency dependant. So what is the frequency band width or better yet, what is the pink noise frequency response curve of the reduction. That’s what really matters. Low frequency will not be reduced very much.

[@hiimmidas]

what materials are best for reducing low frequency? isolation clips? quiet rock drywall?

[@mierda3363]

This material is best used in conjunction with a double stud wall to maximize both high and low frequency leakage reduction

[@RockerProf]

Did you happen to do a before-and-after decibel test for each of those different weights? Thank you for this

[@theultimatetowerofterrorre301]

If you were to use two layers of 1/2 lb MLV on your box, would that be equivalent to the 1 lb MLV box? I have a rod-shaped linear actuator that I could potentially wrap multiple layers of MLV around. The more layers wrapped around the actuator, the greater the sound reduction?

[@reverendprophet]

Is there a follow up using a more full range sample? Something that drops into the 40-120hz range, say?

[@krisdestruction]

This guy probably killed his hearing long term for us 😂

[@Hchris101]

I want to buy some of this now

[@gilltim5711]

Question I have. In the past, I tried mass loaded vinyl with barium, and it was insufferable. I could not breath around it, and had to return it. How do I know this loaded vinyl doesn't have the same problems? Is it odorless?

[@donovans6472]

good test....but how does that work for bass / low frequencies

[@dougb5028]

how about a broader frequency sweep? More low frequencies?

[@1121gsm]

I would like to use mlv to cover a wooden frame to make a window plug. Would it be better to cover both sides of the wooden frame with one pound mlv or to use two pound mlv on only one side. Love this video. I need HELP. Thanks.

[@stephenv6054]

Thoughts on this....2 layer of 2lb....or 3 layers. Small frame with air gaps in-between. Would each layer drop the db by 20?

[@morpheus_9]

No, its diminishing effect

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

Amazing demonstration! Makes it easy to see the difference. Will reach out on the next remodel:)

[@morpheus_9]

Love how hes smiling because he knows their product is good

[@SparkyMTB]

Question.. When I look up MLV they only talk about it in thickness.. So what thickness is are your different weights..? e.g is the 2 Pound MLV the equivalent to 5mm thick MLV…?

[@nickp4793]

How much more effective do you think the sound reduction would have been if you had some sort of interlock between the cap and the base?

[@XxRyAlxXisryan]

Much more, sound is still escaping from the tiny air holes where the box and the foam meet

[@lionintu]

But producing that seal in real live will be hard wont it?

[@stingray427]

1.5 Pound was more effective than 2 Pound ? Any explanation? Hitting certain frequency ?

[@WillibumWason]

He put the 1.5 in a spot where there were less air gaps, and with the 2 pound he accidently put it where there were a little more air gaps, this should have been a common sense answer but if people dont know how sound works would ask this exact question, so in this case the 2 pound will work REALLY good for sound proofing

[@doomsdayscouts]

note when he put it on and pressed down it went down to 65 db, then he lifts up and the left side is slightly off the base thus letting sound out -- the base should have been built slightly raised so the caps closed the air gaps and created a seal, with a weight on top to hold them down (just like they will be in most applications in your home) I would like to see this redone and rather than an airhorn use a free for use song so you can get the decible readings and see how it muffles actual spoken word) The reality is you still want to hear the fire alarm, you dont want to hear the in house theater though.

[@ianwalton7893]

@@doomsdayscouts It's actually better to use a constant noise as the sound pressure meter can give a much more stable and accurate reading. With music the level would be bouncing up and down so much it would be hard to see what the actual level was, and even harder to see what the real difference in level was between MLV and open air noise readings. Higher frequencies aren't that difficult to stop though. I'd like to see this stuff tested to actual frequencies. Particularly low frequencies. I suspect the fall off in effectiveness would become drastic the lower the frequency. Not trying to diss the product, I intend to use it myself, but would appreciate some actual efficiency results at varying frequencies to be armed with the expectations of how well it will perform for my specific needs before buying it.

[@uncrunch398]

It looked to me that the 1.5 lb performed better than the 2 lb. Were they mislabeled or was one constructed better?

[@dabeast9671]

the box just wasnt airtight

[@qkayani]

Good video, shame about the lack of feedback from the creator

[@uncrunch398]

@@dabeast9671 That could explain it.

[@GFLU-]

Great demonstration. Thank you.

[@douglasgoodman226]

Tip, watch at 2x. Good demonstration

[@fitnesstorresflores6477]

wich one its better for a drum hole studio?

[@trinchezito1383]

Can I put two layers of 1lb to make it 2lb?

[@letstalkstuff3457]

I was sketched when he went to .75 and it didn’t change.. the 1 and 1.5 really made a difference. That 2 pound tho seems like it could use work as it was actually higher.. perhaps it hit its cap? Still 20 DBs is great

[@skillfulgoose101]

To me it looks like he might have set the 2lb box a little too far to the left, thus leaving an air gap by the box being over the edge.

[@bonniet6275]

Thanks for putting this together, I had wanted to build this test myself.

[@hfhgfe]

What if we're not able to buy it????

[@retniretep9477]

A better experiment would have been to place the sound source on a floating device and then submerge the edges of each box into a water filled aquarium so that no sound escapes through the bottom. That would have given a much better representation of how the different widths compare in blocking sound.

[@saico_apc]

aren't they on the wrong side? Shouldn't the black part go inside?

[@vero0992]

Can I put this in the bathroom wall behind copper shower pipes? We are having the shower re-tiled and the space where the vertical copper shower lines run is just an empty space between drywall, no insulation or anything. I'm thinking some pipe insulation plus this would really help.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Interesting demonstration. What I’m looking for, and wondering if it would also work at lower initial noise of a different frequency - specifically, bring the sound of waste water flowing down ABS plastic vent and drainage pipes in the walls. I’m replacing old cast iron pipe with ABS

[@JP5466]

What about low LOW frequencies?

[@tomvivian]

Good demo. Do you have any data using low frequency sounds? I'm trying to find a solution that blocks kick drum and bass guitar, so 60Hz and 40Hz sound.

[@Forte_FX]

Headphones are worth there weight in gold. Use a headphone system with a limiter, and save your hearing for life.

[@sas8403]

how thick in mm is a 2llb mlv

[@ginolamendola4084]

Thank for the video. But something happened with the 2lbs. Box. The 1.5 was quieter. I’m sure it was just placed wrong. The video was very helpful thx .

[@SteveSmith-ho8cy]

Seems the 2 lb wasn't centered on the base. Possibly some leaking out of the bottom left side.

[@webslingernz]

I'm just happy you're happy.

[@km-d4913]

Why did the 1.5 pound do better than the 2 pound?

[@DoYouDJ]

Thanks for the info, the 1.5 actually workec better than 2lb in your demonstration I am a lil distracted by this.

[@tamtamathome]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you

[@marcusunlimited]

Wow. That was impressive. The results and how you tested.

[@josiahlee4572]

Would this eliminate a neighbors bass coming through my bedroom walls

[@beautyandthebudget3642]

Ideally you'd need to decouple the walls and floors

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Should also have a brief explanation that decibels are based around a logarithmic value. So a twenty point drop is huge.

[@zoltanszucs9346]

let alone the frequency characteristics the applied filter on the sound meter had :D

[@lightrevolutionsdotcom9415]

Useful test/demonstration. Very convincing.

[@igor7781]

Can you simply use mass loaded vinyl as a carpet?

[@beautyandthebudget3642]

Yes but you might be better with the specific sound proofing underlay that combines MLV with closed cell foam

[@kenchew5002]

REQUEST. Please do same test for open cell foam, closed cell foam and aluminum lined butyl and combination of butyl + foam

[@michaelslocumbsr.2286]

Outstanding! You definitely made my decision a lot easier....

[@andrewd5135]

This was awesome, what would be the best way to attach MLV to drywall? glue?

[@stevenrix7277]

staples

[@dylanj8676]

Staples probably. Velcro could work,but then you have to put part of the velcro on the wall anyway, whick you'll probably have to staple, and attach it to the MLV which will require an adhesive. So just use staples. But there's no point in attaching it to an existing wall. It's supposed to go in the structure, not on it.

[@GuillaumeB7]

I like how the 0.75 performed worst than the 0.5 pound and how the 2 pounds performed worst than the 1.5 pound.

[@JonathanRootD]

He wasn't lining up the box with the bottom properly.

[@rush_amanda]

FINALLY a helpful video. Thanks!

[@BlahMmmBlah]

2:04 1/2 pound 2:44 .75 pound 3:16 1 pound 3:50 1.5 pound 4:28 2 pound

[@louiseli3793]

Where can I find this product ?

[@jol778]

I think this demonstration would have been better if you had made a box of only plasterboard ( sheet rock ) then one with MLV added to to tell the difference with and without , we would expect a box made of anything to reduce the sound , it’s the overall improvement MLV adds that we want to hear

[@ubacow7109]

1.5 & 2lb had about the same performance at least based on the test

[@lkbasgiohbasg]

I prefer the warmth and sparkling highs of the 1lb

[@tepelem]

Track id?

[@1MilkmanDan1]

Try it with lower frequencies...

[@snackgila]

Wow, thank you so much

[@rodschermerhorn6996]

So awesome 😎

[@mrnegronis]

airhorn by itself is about 92db half pound MLV = approx 82.4db before he started talking .75 MLV = approx 82.7db 1 pound MLV = approx 76db 1.5 pound MLV = approx 69.9db to 70db 2 pound MLV = 70.3db before he started talking then it got a little louder

[@kj-bm4lm]

airhorn by itself is about 92db half pound MLV = approx 82.4db before he started talking .75 MLV = approx 82.7db 1 pound MLV = approx 76db 1.5 pound MLV = approx 69.9db to 70db 2 pound MLV = 66db at 4:37 you can see it. He explained in the beginning that these boxes are not perfect. You can see him pushing down on the box to create a tighter seal between the box and the base.

[@bfourney]

Helps get a general idea but woulda been way more accurate if he weighted the top of the box down to seal it. The 2lb for instance had less isolation that the 1.5lb as soon as he let go

[@D22D21]

do the same test with 100hz and see if it drops 20db...i think not

[@dylanj8676]

I don't even expect that at 1 KHz honestly. MLV is great for something like padding a carpet, but it's not gonna magically block out sound from neighbours if the construction is already bad. But people hype it like it'll fix all your problems when really what you need is a decoupled nearly air tight environment. Which won't happen in buildings with shared walls. It's your wall, whatever insulation they're legally required to put, then the neighbour's wall, despite the fact that renting will cost the same as a house over time (2 bedroom apartment where I live is $1600/mo, over 20 years that's $384K which would get a decent sized house here).

[@D22D21]

MLV is installed like a limp mass. imagine it like a huge heavy curtain in void between walls.

[@dylanj8676]

@@D22D21 Right, and builders know this, but the average person watching this is going to think they can just staple it to their existing walls and think it'll magically stop the low frequency noise that's traveling through the structure when really it should be in the walls and under the floorboards already. I used carpet padding as an example because I think that's a place where it you can place it onto an existing structure and actually see an improvement in the reduction of regular footfall noise. For homeowners they can install the MLV during renovations or on the wall and place additional drywall, but the people renting apartments probably can't do that. And a lot of people who watch videos like these are living in rentals and trying to find a way to deal with noisy neighbours. But a lot of MLV products are marketed like it's magic bullet that will silence neighbours and even have testimonials to support that whether or not it's accurate. The really bad offenders for noise bleed like the 500 Hz region and below aren't going to see the reduction in the video as you said, and however much actually does get reduced won't be as noticeable as people are hoping. If I were building a vocal booth with layered walls I would absolutely install MLV in it, but I doubt people looking up how to soundproof on KZbin and watching stuff like this with the intention of building/renovating their place

[@dylanj8676]

And there are acoustic blankets and stuff like the VocalBoothtoGo soundproof booths that use MLV and advertise similar sound dampening like the 20 dB we see in the video but that's only on the high end and is just placed on existing walls, so really they're absorbers for reflections that are being sold like they're blocking low end sound. I've seen such products advertising 25+ dB reduction AND more on the high end giving the impression that the low end and low mids are getting a 25 dB reduction which would be amazing if it were actually possible.

[@TheDarbanville]

​@@dylanj8676 I think you are right, i have also made research what i could use for blocking noise in my apartment coming from downstairs apartment. It is not very big problem, i can hear their TV and loud talks slightly but still disturb me at nights. Since i decided to make other renovations, i also plan to lay thick layer of MLV (5cm - 2") under my laminate flooring. I am just not sure if that would make a any difference, but whatever it will be, i will give it a try.

[@krzysztoftryka399]

Test is not showing effectivness against low frequencies.

[@Ken-wc7po]

Awesome I need some one pound..we have a railroad one street below me

[@markn4718]

I would like to see a decimal meter reading for each thickness

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

Your boss: I need you to do a video for the company and blast an air horn… You: Can I wear ear protection? I mean 90dB can damage my ears !! Boss: No way dude, we need the customers to actually see your ears bleed, otherwise they won’t believe it’s loud. You: “Hello, is this 1-800 - find a lawyer? I’d like to report an issue of workplace abuse”. 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@zombieware5119]

Thank you!.

[@SafariBroadcasting]

There was a gap under the 2 lbs box 4:34

[@anurruti]

I think your intent is really good, but the very irregular surface of the cushion where the horn is placed makes believe that sabotage the whole experiment. It concludes that 1.5 and 2 pounds cut down 10 Db while .75 and 1/2 pd are the same. I am pretty sure if you used the same boxes with a better insulated contact within cushion and box bottom edges your result would be much different.

[@felixbors1659]

I agree; I think the heavier box also insulates the bottom better and skews the final result. There should be some putty seal at the bottom.

[@TT76472]

2lbs MLV goes from 92Db to 70Db that’s pretty damn good

[@legaata]

You should have soundabsorbants on the inside and outside of the boxes as well.

[@berner]

I live in a high rise and I've turned one of my bedrooms into a gym. The thing I'm confused on though is: If I drop a heavy weight onto the floor with a soundproof underlay, will the underlay do anything to dampen the heavy "THUMP!" that would come with dropping a heavy object on the floor? Example: Someone standing in the room and shouting will have their decibels lowered by way of the Mass Loaded Vinyl. But will the Mass Loaded Vinyl do anything to negate the literal "THUMP!" of dropping a heavy object down onto the floor? Thanks!

[@JP5466]

Sound transmission by air waves and sound transmission by vibration are 2 entirely different things.

[@mistahozzy]

You’re better off building a platform or not drop the weights?

[@Hankblue]

Short answer is not really, to negate the thump you basically need your floor to be decoupled from the ceiling below it. It would be a lot more expensive than simply laying some MLV

[@MrHarbinged]

Here's an idea, everyone comment how you would have liked the test to have been improved and I will try to make a video. I could make the same boxes or something different? Test- Multiple layers of mlv? Test- Boxes made of sheet rock? Test- Sheet rock with green glue? Test- Batt Insulation or Cork box? What sound should be used? What about impact noise transfer? I've been searching for a answer to these questions. I have a second floor in a 1980's house, with family living downstairs. I want to swap the carpet for vinyl plank flooring and I'm not sure what to put underneath to stop noise. It's like to test some ideas before I start the flooring. Also it's not possible to do anything to the ceiling downstairs so I'm limited to just the upstairs floor manipulation.

[@mikeleone1347]

What I don't get is, why didn't he make the boxes simulate what a wall with MLV installed in it look like? I mean, in a real wall, there would be drywall over the MLV. Why didn't he encase the whole box in either 1/2 in or 5/8 in drywall, which is how you would be hearing the noise in the real world - from behind a wall constructed at least that way, studs with MLV on it and then drywall over that. Regardless, it does show that the MLV is very effective.

[@chrisbatchelor3717]

also do it vrs paper egg creates that restaurant's get their eggs in. I heard it works excellent.

[@dylanj8676]

It does not. I don't think anybody who recommends that as any experience with recording. They're solid so they don't absorb, and they're symmetrical so they don't diffuse. They do help with one specific spot, but the broadband reduction is so bad it's essentially useless and also a huge fire hazard. If you want cheap sound deadening you use moving blankets. They work better than most acoustic foam, but not as well as mineral wool or rigid fiberglass, which actually might be the cheapest option relative to performance and is what any studio I'd call legitimately professional would be using.

[@beautyandthebudget3642]

No that is sound absorption not sound deadening

[@skywalkies77]

Could I get a half pounder shaped to fit just over my girlfriends head?

[@bilalraja6745]

One way of soundproofing is stopping the vibration, sound is literally vibration no vibration no sound it's like putting your phone on silent mode you hear and feel nothing

[@ChiraqLegendzTV]

your mustache is cool as fuck bro

[@lupoal4113]

... man... you should declare the frequency of that noise... as the lower the frequency the worse the sound shielding performance, and viceversa... i.e. you will never decrease the sound level (pressure) of 20dB with that mass at 100Hz but you can easly do better then 20dB at 5kHz

[@chrisbatchelor3717]

should do the test using 1.5lb vs some towles. the towels will win. get towels at the good will or wall mart.

[@EremEdition]

The 1/2lb cut more out than the .75lb..

[@spazoq]

Low frequency is a the problem, and all these tests use little speakers to try and impress. How about a test with a full range speaker with a real woofer?

[@Nine-Signs]

As much as I appreciate the video, can I just point out I was laughing my ass off as the person demoing the sound proofing product was drowned out by a local fruit loop on a sports bike going by lol, have you tried mass loaded vinyl? I hear it works well :p ;o)

[@Nine-Signs]

And then came the horn, I am british so I find all this hilarious.

[@nickdamon2721]

Your 1.5 LBS blocked more sound than the 2 LBS Vinyl.

[@haidafella8651]

1.5 did better than 2... .5 did better than .75 too

[@infora789]

What do i need to block wifi waves from neighbours?

[@CFox.7]

wow, I cant place your combination accent.

[@domenicocarotenuto7815]

Noise reduction of 1.5 Pound = 2 Pound

[@Forte_FX]

real life...things get fastened, so put a weight on each box to simulate fastening along the bottom.