B-Quiet install and dB results

honeyboy · 03-28-2008, 12:10 PM

I Just got done installing B-Quiet sound insulation in my 2000 Insight. The noise was making me crazy....I am a little less crazy now. First, the instructions on this sight explaining how to remove the door panels are right on! Don't worry about it, just follow the instructions exactly how they are written. I had no broken clips or misfit panel when done.
I am an Audiologist and have a good sound level meter I used to take the following readings.
Before the install of B-Quiet in the doors and in the rear well, the sound level reading are as follow. All measurements are in dBA, the correct setting for the sound level meter.

Before the B-Quiet:
At 30 mph it was 70dB at my right ear in the cabin
At 55 mph it was 79 dB """"" """"""
" 65 mph "" '' 75 db
" 73 mph it was 78 dB

It was over 80 dB hitting bumps

================================

After the B-Quiet install

At 30 mph it was 63 dB
At 55 mph it was 74 dB
At 65 mph it was 72 dB
At 73 mph it was 76 dB

So....it can be seen that B-Quiet does help some with the cabin noise. It appears to help the most at lower speeds and can be subjectivly notice at the lower speeds. At higher speeds, it seems harder to notice. I also stuffed "eggcrate" foam in the viod at the right of the well when standing in the back of the car looking forward, as well as around the spare tire. I also bought a cargo mat and intalled it over the rear cargo area. I did not insulate the surface behind the seats or the floor as I read this makes little difference. Please let me know it this is so. I bought 50' of B-Quiet and have over half of the roll left.....so.....buying 2, 12' rolls is enough to do the job I show here. You do not need the 50' roll......
Now....I have 50 psi in all tires and the reading are subject to different types of road surfaces. On smooth asphalt it is much quieter than on the rough, older grooved roads. Most reading were taken on the rough roads.
I have attached some pictures....I look forward to any comments on my job or on tip on how to further improve the dB level in the cabin.

honeyboy · 03-28-2008, 12:15 PM

PS......I also have and use custom musicians ear plugs with both 9dB or 25dB filters in them. They are great and are a much easier way to get some quiet in the cabin. Go to an Audiologist and have a pair made for you. They are great if you can get used to wearing earplugs. They are also great for loud music. They preserve the sound spectrum and lower all frequencies equally. Not like the yellow foam EAR plugs. You can still hear the person next to you clearly as well as the stereo. Everything is just a little lower.

Hb

Armin · 03-28-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeyboy

PS......I also have and use custom musicians ear plugs

Will the earplugs still let you hear ambulance sirens etc.? Is it legal to drive with earplugs?

honeyboy · 03-28-2008, 12:42 PM

Yes....the earplugs are high tech. They are made for musicians so they can hear all the frequencies from their insturments evenly. Just like without them. A 9 dB attenuation is not much. Just enough to make you feel like you brain has not been on the cheese grater after a few hours of driving.....you can hear everything, just quieter...

Hb

devin1955 · 03-28-2008, 03:07 PM

So, the question is..... In your opinion, was it worth the expense and labor?
Also, what would it cost to purchase 2 12' rolls of B-Quiet?
-Don

honeyboy · 03-28-2008, 04:29 PM

I have no idea if it would be worth it to you. It was to me as I like doing stuff like this and I don't really worry about the money........What is your tolerance for constant loud noise....Mine is quite low...almost enough to not want to own a Insight. Almost.......

As far as the cost of B-quiet...goggle it.....

Hb

devin1955 · 04-01-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeyboy

I have no idea if it would be worth it to you. It was to me as I like doing stuff like this and I don't really worry about the money........What is your tolerance for constant loud noise....Mine is quite low...almost enough to not want to own a Insight. Almost.......

I wasn't expecting you make a decision on my part, I wondered if YOU were satisfied with the result. I too have a problem with the noise level in the car, especially with the tires pumped up for max mileage. I'm not familiar enough with db ratings to get a feel for the difference just looking at the numbers. I suspect a large portion of the readers of this thread are in the same boat.

I'm most bothered though with wind noise. If Honda had just made the rear windows so they'd hinge outward a little it would have provided the occupants with much better ventilation without having to crack the side windows and suffer the associated wind noise. I realize B-quiet won't do anything to help this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeyboy

As far as the cost of B-quiet...goggle it.....Hb

Okay, sure, I can do that. I just thought since we share information with each other here and YOU just bought 5 rolls, mentioning what half your cost was (2 1/2 rolls worth) would be of general interest to anyone who is considering this project.

-Don

b1shmu63 · 04-01-2008, 11:53 PM

Devin, The Decibel scale is non linear but essentially 10 Decibels equals one Bel which sounds twice as loud but is infact 10 times as powerful. At 30 MPH there is a 7 Db decrease which will sound significantly quieter but not quite half as loud.

There is a comprehensive explanation of the decibel system here.

http://www.micworks.com/freeinfo/decibel.htm

bagwell · 04-02-2008, 08:15 AM

it looks like you got the b-quiet "ultimate"?

....doesn't seem like the b-quiet made a significant, noticeable improvement....
......but since you have so much left....why not try 2 or 3 layers where its possible to do so????????

I wonder if the dynamat would be any better (since price is of no concern to you).

honeyboy · 04-14-2008, 02:26 PM

Hi,

Sorry I was gone from the board for so long.......Well....Yes...I do feel it was worth using the B-Quiet. As for putting 1 or 2 modre layers, I think I will not. It seems my mileage has dropped a bit from installing the mat in back, the B-quiet, the arm rest...Maybe the extra weight?? It is quieter in the car since the B-quiet install. I was thinking about doing the floor panels but was not confident about getting the rugs removed and replaced and having it look the same. Any advice on this? I also read that the floors do not make much difference. Please advise.

Thanks