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Re-reading this as I was half asleep, I left a couple things out.
Another problem with raamat is it's lower heat resistance than dynamat. I'm not saying that raamat is going to fall off like peel n seal, BUT, all dampers are temperature dependent. The wider range of temperatures a product is stable at, the better it will work at those ends of the spectrum. All tests here were done at 77 degrees F. However, tests by other sources have shown that pretty much all butyl products peak at or slightly below that temp, and lose effectiveness fast. The products that are stable at higher temps fall off slower. So, dynamat will be more effective than raamat when it's 100 degrees outside.
The other thing is missed I'd the reason these products are said to help bass. And that is the reduction of resonance. Resonance simplified down is distortion, of a high order. For instance, let's say your sub is playing 30hz, and your panel is resonating at 90hz, that's 3rd order distortion, which is particularly offensive (as are all odd order distortions). Reducing that distortion even by a little bit goes a long way to making things sound cleaner. There is a school of thought (that I agree with) that low frequency distortion is more audible, due to the equal loudness curve. For instance, a sub playing 25hz will barely be audible, but it will be felt. But it's distortion at 50hz will be heard, as will any distortion at higher orders. That's because our ears are not as sensitive at 25hz as they are at 50hz. They next time someone says they are hearing 20hz from their subs, remember they're not hearing the fundamental note, but the distortion from the subwoofer. This is why I have three 12"s and a ported 8" in my living room. I don't listen loud enough to max them, but having that much cone area reduces distortion.
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