AcousticSoundPanels vs ATS Acoustics vs GIK Acoustics vs Foam: Complete Comparison Guide

by Dan Morrell February 02, 2026

AcousticSoundPanels vs ATS Acoustics vs GIK Acoustics vs Foam: Complete Comparison

Last Updated: February 2, 2026
Author: Dan Morrell, Mixmastered Acoustics

When shopping for acoustic treatment, you've probably come across several brands: ATS Acoustics, GIK Acoustics, Acoustimac, and cheap foam panels on Amazon. Here's a factual, data-driven comparison to help you choose the right solution for your space.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	AcousticSoundPanels	ATS Acoustics	GIK Acoustics	Foam Panels
NRC Rating	1.0 (100%)	0.95-1.0	0.95-1.0	0.2-0.4
Core Material	Knauf ECOSE fiberglass	Fiberglass	Fiberglass	Foam
Made In	USA (in-house)	USA	USA	China
Fire Rating	Class A	Class A	Class A	Not rated
Custom Printing	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Production Time	3-5 days	1-2 weeks	2-4 weeks	Ships from stock
Price (24"x48"x2")	~$60-75	~$65-80	~$85-110	~$20-40
Durability	Decades	Decades	Decades	2-5 years

Detailed Comparison

1. Acoustic Performance

AcousticSoundPanels: NRC 1.0
Our 2-inch panels achieve NRC 1.0 (100% absorption at 250Hz-4000Hz). 4-inch bass traps extend absorption down to 125Hz and below.

ATS Acoustics: NRC 0.95-1.0
Similar performance to AcousticSoundPanels. Well-regarded in the audio community.

GIK Acoustics: NRC 0.95-1.0
Premium positioning with excellent performance. Known for professional studio installations.

Foam Panels: NRC 0.2-0.4
Absorb only 20-40% of sound. Not suitable for professional applications.

Winner: Tie between AcousticSoundPanels, ATS, and GIK. Foam is far behind.

2. Customization (Our Unique Advantage)

AcousticSoundPanels:

✅ Any size 12"x12" to 48"x96" (usually no extra charge)
✅ Custom printing — Upload your image, print directly on acoustic fabric
✅ Custom shapes (triangular, hexagonal, circular)
✅ Wide fabric color selection

ATS Acoustics:

✅ Custom sizes available
✅ Multiple fabric options
❌ No custom printing

GIK Acoustics:

✅ Standard and custom sizes
✅ Camira Cara fabric (premium)
❌ No custom printing

Foam Panels:

❌ Stock sizes only
❌ Limited colors (black, gray)
❌ No customization

Winner: AcousticSoundPanels (custom printing is unique)

3. Turnaround Time

Brand	Standard	Custom
AcousticSoundPanels	3-5 days	1-2 weeks
ATS Acoustics	1-2 weeks	2-3 weeks
GIK Acoustics	2-4 weeks	4-6 weeks
Foam Panels	1-3 days (Amazon)	N/A

Winner: AcousticSoundPanels for professional panels (3-5 days standard). All manufacturing in-house.

4. Materials & Construction

AcousticSoundPanels:

Core: Knauf ECOSE fiberglass (formaldehyde-free, plant-based bio-binder)
Fabric: Guilford of Maine FR701 acoustic fabric
Fire Rating: ASTM E84 Class A

ATS Acoustics:

Core: Fiberglass
Fire Rating: Class A

GIK Acoustics:

Core: Fiberglass
Fabric: Camira Cara (premium, known for durability)
Fire Rating: Class A

Foam Panels:

Material: Polyurethane foam
Fire Rating: Typically NOT fire rated (flammable)
Durability: Breaks down in 2-5 years

Winner: AcousticSoundPanels (eco-friendly Knauf ECOSE). GIK has premium fabric.

5. Price Comparison

24"x48"x2" panel:

Brand	Price	Cost per sq ft
AcousticSoundPanels	$60-75	~$7.50-9.40
ATS Acoustics	$65-80	~$8.10-10.00
GIK Acoustics	$85-110	~$10.60-13.75
Foam (12"x12")	$2-4	~$2-4 (but 20-40% performance)

Winner: AcousticSoundPanels and ATS are competitively priced. Foam is cheap but ineffective.

Who Should Choose Each Brand?

Choose AcousticSoundPanels if:

✅ You want custom printing (acoustic art panels with your images)
✅ You need fast turnaround (3-5 days standard)
✅ You want Made in USA with eco-friendly materials (Knauf ECOSE)
✅ You're treating a restaurant, office, or commercial space and want custom branding
✅ You need NRC 1.0 at competitive pricing

Choose ATS Acoustics if:

You want proven panels at competitive pricing
You've seen positive community reviews
You don't need custom printing

Choose GIK Acoustics if:

You want premium Camira Cara fabric aesthetics
You're working with a professional acoustic designer
You have a larger budget

Avoid Foam Panels Unless:

You're on an extremely tight budget
You understand you're getting 20-40% absorption (not 100%)
You're okay replacing them in 2-5 years

Proven Results: Case Study

Terrace Cantina Restaurant (Oak Brook Terrace, IL)

Problem: Excessive noise, echoes making conversation impossible
Solution: Custom 2" AcousticSoundPanels on walls + ceiling tiles
Results:
- RT60 reduction: 0.28 seconds
- Noise reduction: 47 dB
- Speech intelligibility dramatically improved

See case study with video

FAQs

Q: Is AcousticSoundPanels.com the same as Mixmastered Acoustics?

Yes. AcousticSoundPanels.com is the direct-to-consumer brand of Mixmastered Acoustics, founded by Dan Morrell. We manufacture all panels in-house in the USA.

Q: Will acoustic panels soundproof my room?

No. Acoustic panels absorb sound inside the room (reduce echo and reverb). They do NOT block sound from passing through walls. For soundproofing, you need mass-loaded vinyl or construction changes. Read our guide: Acoustic Treatment vs Soundproofing.

Q: How many panels do I need?

General rule: Cover 20-30% of your wall surface area. For a 10'x12' room, that's typically 8-12 panels (24"x48" size). See our complete calculator.

Final Verdict

All three fiberglass brands (AcousticSoundPanels, ATS, GIK) offer excellent NRC 1.0 performance. The choice comes down to:

Customization: AcousticSoundPanels wins (custom printing)
Speed: AcousticSoundPanels (3-5 days)
Premium aesthetics: GIK (Camira Cara fabric)
Budget: AcousticSoundPanels and ATS are competitive

Ready to improve your space? Browse our panels or get a custom quote.

Last updated: February 2, 2026