How much acoustic treatment does a room need?

A mixing room typically needs 30-40% of wall and ceiling surfaces treated with absorption, plus bass traps in corners. Recording rooms need slightly less absorption (25-35%) to retain some liveliness. Practice rooms focus on reducing sound levels.

How much do acoustic panels cost?

Commercial acoustic panels cost £25-60 each for standard 60x120cm panels. Premium brands and custom sizes cost more. DIY panels using rockwool insulation and fabric can be made for £10-20 each, saving 50-70% over commercial products.

Do I need bass traps?

Yes, for mixing and recording rooms. Low frequencies build up in room corners causing uneven bass response. Thick bass traps (minimum 10cm, ideally 15-20cm deep) in corners are the most effective treatment for improving low-frequency accuracy.

What are diffusers for?

Diffusers scatter sound reflections rather than absorbing them. They maintain the energy in the room while reducing flutter echoes and comb filtering. Professional studios use diffusers on the rear wall behind the listening position.

AudioCalcs

Room Treatment Cost Calculator — Panels, Traps & Budget

Calculate the number of absorption panels, bass traps and diffusers needed for your room, with commercial and DIY cost estimates.

Room Length

Internal length wall to wall, in metres

Room Width

Internal width wall to wall, in metres

Room Height

Floor to ceiling height, in metres

Room PurposeMixing targets the most absorption + 4 corner bass traps; recording keeps a little more life; practice prioritises level control

Treatment LevelBasic = first reflections only; Standard adds corner bass traps; Professional adds rear-wall diffusion

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates treatment quantities based on room surface area, purpose and treatment level, then calculates costs for commercial and DIY approaches.

The formula

Treated area = 2·(L·H + W·H) walls + L·W ceiling (the floor is excluded — it is usually carpeted rather than panelled).

Panels = ⌈(Treated area × Coverage) ÷ Panel area⌉, rounded up, with each standard 60 × 120 cm panel covering 0.72 m².

Bass traps = one per vertical corner (typically 4), scaled up for professional treatment.

DIY cost = Commercial cost × (1 − DIY saving).

About the coverage figures

The coverage percentages (Basic 15–25%, Standard 25–35%, Professional 30–40% of wall + ceiling area) are guideline targets, not exact requirements. They sit within the widely cited 20–40% wall-and-ceiling absorption rule of thumb used by Arqen, Sound on Sound and GIK Acoustics. The right amount depends on your room, monitors and listening goals, so treat these as a sensible starting point and adjust by ear. The bass-trap counts and unit prices are likewise typical UK figures you can override under Advanced.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify results for critical applications.