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When it comes to acoustic treatment, we often hear the same assumptions: "You need 4 inches of rockwool to make a difference." Or, "That panel looks too thin to absorb bass."

But in real-world acoustics, thickness is only one piece of the puzzle. The full story involves density, material behavior, and something lesser known but incredibly important: porous flow resistivity.

Let’s break down this trinity — and why a slimmer, denser, better-designed panel can outperform bulkier solutions.

About Thickness

Myth vs. Reality: Not Just About Thickness

What People Say What Actually Matters
“It’s only 2 inches thick — that won’t do much.” Thickness isn’t everything. Our 207 kg/m³ PET core + strategic airgap design absorbs low frequencies better than many 4" rockwool setups.
“You need 4” panels for real bass control.” That’s true only with lower-density materials. Our panel’s density and structure make it perform like something much thicker.
“PET isn’t serious acoustic material.” Ours is architectural-grade, non-shedding, and thermally bonded — engineered for full-range clarity and stability.
“Thicker = better.” Not necessarily. A smartly placed airgap behind a high-density panel can outperform bulky materials while looking better in your space.

About Density

How Our Panels Compare Density-Wise

Material Density (kg/m³) Use Case
Massform Panel 207 Full-range control, refined presence. Ideal for studios, homes, and design-conscious spaces
Acoustic Foam (PU/Melamine) 15–35 Lightweight, mid-high absorption only
Owens Corning 703 ~48 Broadband absorber; studio standard
Owens Corning 705 ~96 Better low-end control
Pink Insulation Batt 16–24 Basic absorption, not acoustically tuned
Rockwool / Mineral Wool (Rigid Board) 40–150 Widely used in bass traps, but performance varies by density and construction

About Porous Flow Resistivity

Not all dense materials behave the same.
How a material absorbs sound isn’t just about density — it’s about how air moves through it. That’s where fiber structure and porous flow resistivity come in.

What Is Porous Flow Resistivity?

When sound enters a porous material, it doesn’t just bounce — it travels through microscopic pathways filled with air. As it does, air molecules rub against the fiber walls, and that internal friction converts sound energy into heat.

This process depends on:

  • Open-cell microstructure — lets sound in

  • Fiber arrangement and density — increases resistance

  • Porous flow resistivity — determines how effectively energy is dissipated

Why Massform PET Performs So Well

PET (polyethylene terephthalate), when thermally bonded and compressed, forms a highly controlled internal structure. Unlike loose-fill or fragile materials, it offers:

  • A clean, sculptural surface with high airflow resistivity
  • No shedding or breakdown over time
  • A dense core with real bass absorption power — even in slim profiles

That’s why two panels with the same thickness and density can behave very differently in practice.


Why Massform Feels Different

Feature Massform Panels Rockwool / Fiberglass
Visual Design Sculptural, clean finish Needs to be hidden
Touch & Feel Dense, solid, non-fibrous Fragile, crumbly, often dusty
Low-End Control Built-in airgap + dense core Often needs extra thickness or framing
Surface Material Thermally bonded PET Exposed or wrapped in fabric
Placement Ready for living rooms, studios, galleries Mostly utility or hidden installs

More Than Specs

Low-frequency absorption without bulk
High-density core tuned for clarity
Porous flow resistivity that maximizes internal air friction
Design that belongs in your space

In the end, great acoustic design is not about adding inches. It’s about combining the right materials, the right density, and smart internal structure to shape how a room sounds and feels.

If you’re ready to hear and feel the difference, browse our collection here.

Further Reading

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