Any point in sound deadening a droptop?

[srmd22 10+ year member]

I have a 350Z roadster which needs a bit of audio work (as you may see reflected in a couple other of my posts today).

I was wondering if there is any point using sound absorbing materials in the doors of a convertible? Seems like there's no point, with the lack of a sound barrier due to the cloth top. But maybe it would help the speakers' sound projection?

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[08Denali26s]

It will help as far as increasing output of the midbass and midrange. Probobly won't help as far as reducing roadnoise

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

I have a 350Z roadster which needs a bit of audio work (as you may see reflected in a couple other of my posts today).
I was wondering if there is any point using sound absorbing materials in the doors of a convertible? Seems like there's no point, with the lack of a sound barrier due to the cloth top. But maybe it would help the speakers' sound projection?

In most cases, deadening the door isn't to help retain the waves inside of the car, in fact, sound DEADENER implies that it absorbs the sound waves, thus not really to "hold in" the sound. For most applications, it's to help isolate the rear waves of the driver from the front waves, increase overall response of the driver.

But, as the guy above me said, it won't really help with road noise... but most sound deadeners don't really do that anyway-- they aren't intended to, at least.

CLIFFS: Yes.

P.S. I love 350's. I'd much prefer a 350 over a G35. Good choice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[bass_lover1 10+ year member]

In most cases, deadening the door isn't to help retain the waves inside of the car, in fact, sound DEADENER implies that it absorbs the sound waves, thus not really to "hold in" the sound. For most applications, it's to help isolate the rear waves of the driver from the front waves, increase overall response of the driver.But, as the guy above me said, it won't really help with road noise... but most sound deadeners don't really do that anyway-- they aren't intended to, at least.

CLIFFS: Yes.

P.S. I love 350's. I'd much prefer a 350 over a G35. Good choice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

One, you contradicted your self by saying sound deadener aborbs then by saying it wont quiet road noise. Two, you're wrong.

Sound deadener doesn't "absorb" anything. It deadens, or more specifically it adds mass, that changes the resonance of the panel it is added to. In turn, it takes more work to make that panel resonate. Sound deadener helps reduce panel vibrations, which much like a drivetrain loss on a car, the panel resonations/vibrations reduce clarity from your speakers. Usually when deadening a door, you're going to clear up the midrange area that gets hindered by resonations. Midbass is going to improve if the door is as sealed as possible, almost like making the door your "box."

If you want to kill road noise, you need to use a sound absorbing substance, something like ensolite. Ensolite is a closed cell acoustical foam, you can use any closed cell foam however. Close cell because it will not absorb moisture, which is very present in the environment of a car door. You can also place it anywhere to help reduce unwanted noise, IE floorboards foot wells, behind interior panels. It all helps.

 

[MadAudio 10+ year member]

i think your biggest enemy will be road noise no way around that in a drop top.

although i think some deadener in the doors will help things out a little bit but not much add to that the added weight and even further loss of mpg and its a decision your gonna have to make for youself .i would think a drop top would already be nicely deadened from factory to start with.

P.S. I love 350's. I'd much prefer a 350 over a G35. Good choice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

i have to disagree both of these cars are on my list as my next vehicle and the infinity 35 coupe just looks a little more refined ( read grown up). //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif though its a close call either way as they are almost identical yet share very few things besides engines.

350z

g35 coupe

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

One, you contradicted your self by saying sound deadener aborbs then by saying it wont quiet road noise. Two, you're wrong.

Sound deadener doesn't "absorb" anything. It deadens, or more specifically it adds mass, that changes the resonance of the panel it is added to. In turn, it takes more work to make that panel resonate. Sound deadener helps reduce panel vibrations, which much like a drivetrain loss on a car, the panel resonations/vibrations reduce clarity from your speakers. Usually when deadening a door, you're going to clear up the midrange area that gets hindered by resonations. Midbass is going to improve if the door is as sealed as possible, almost like making the door your "box."

If you want to kill road noise, you need to use a sound absorbing substance, something like ensolite. Ensolite is a closed cell acoustical foam, you can use any closed cell foam however. Close cell because it will not absorb moisture, which is very present in the environment of a car door. You can also place it anywhere to help reduce unwanted noise, IE floorboards foot wells, behind interior panels. It all helps.

Mass loaded vinyl combined with a closed cell foam is your best way to kill road noise! I was going to order some lead loaded vinyl from a military contractor until I saw that it would cost twice the product price in shipping alone.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/mad.gif.c18f003ab0ef8a0d9c27ca78d77a6392.gif

 

[srmd22 10+ year member]

Well, I guess maybe I won't need the stuff, then, after I upgrade my speakers a bit. At least I'll hold off until then. BTW, the infinity is a great car too, a friend of mine has one. The new ones engine is the same HP as the 350z, I believe (used to be a few HP less). I went for the Z just for the looks and the roadster configuration, and I love it, it is really a fun little car. Not very practical though (especially if your a biker and a skier, which I am).