Acoustic Panel Comparison 2026: AcousticSoundPanels vs ATS vs GIK vs Audimute vs Foam

Last updated: February 2026

Choosing between acoustic panel brands can be overwhelming. We've put together an honest, fact-based comparison of the top acoustic panel manufacturers to help you make an informed decision. As a manufacturer ourselves, we believe in transparency — so we'll show you exactly how each brand stacks up on the specs that matter.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	AcousticSoundPanels	ATS Acoustics	GIK Acoustics	Audimute	Amazon Foam
NRC Rating	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.85-1.0	0.2-0.4
Core Material	American-made rigid fiberglass	Owens Corning 703	Mineral Wool	Recycled Cotton	Polyurethane Foam
Fire Rating	Class A (ASTM E84)	Class A	Class A	Class A	Varies (often none)
Made in USA	Yes (Lombard, IL)	Yes	Yes (Atlanta, GA)	Yes (Cleveland, OH)	Usually imported
Custom Sizes	Yes, no extra charge	Yes, surcharge applies	Limited options	Limited options	Standard only
Custom Art Printing	Yes (dye-sublimation)	Limited options	No	Yes (limited)	No
Starting Price (2")	$34.99	~$45	~$55	~$50	$10-15 (low performance)
Free Shipping	Orders $349.99+	No standard free ship	Free over $300	Varies	Usually with Prime
Turnaround Time	3-7 business days	5-10 business days	5-15 business days	5-10 business days	1-2 days (Amazon)
Fabric Options	60+ Guilford of Maine	30+ colors	50+ colors	20+ colors	Pre-covered
Warranty	5 years	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Thickness Options	1", 2", 4"	2", 4"	2", 3.5", 4"	1", 2"	1", 2" (ineffective)

A Note About Core Materials

Most professional acoustic panel manufacturers — including AcousticSoundPanels, ATS Acoustics, and many others — use fiberglass insulation board as their core material. Owens Corning 703 is the most well-known fiberglass board brand, but it's a raw material supplier, not a competing panel manufacturer. We use American-made rigid fiberglass, which offers equivalent acoustic performance with better sustainability credentials (formaldehyde-free binder technology).

If you're handy with tools, you can buy Owens Corning 703 or Knauf ECOSE boards directly and build your own panels — see our DIY Panel Kit or raw Knauf ECOSE boards for that route. The trade-off is time, effort, and no warranty on the finished product.

Detailed Brand Analysis

AcousticSoundPanels.com

Best for: Custom sizes, art printing, budget-conscious buyers who want professional performance.

AcousticSoundPanels.com manufactures all panels in-house in Lombard, Illinois using American-made rigid fiberglass. Their standout feature is custom sizing at no extra charge — you can order any dimension from 12"x12" to 48"x96" and simply note your desired size. They also offer dye-sublimation printing on acoustic panels, letting you turn any high-resolution image into a functional sound absorber.

Key specs: NRC 1.0 on 2" and 4" panels. Class A fire rated. Knauf ECOSE core. 60+ Guilford of Maine fabric options. Starting at $34.99 for standard 2" panels.

Unique advantages: Custom art printing, custom sizes at no upcharge, podcast studio packages, in-house manufacturing for faster turnaround.

ATS Acoustics

Best for: Buyers who want a well-known brand with proven track record.

ATS Acoustics has been in the market longer and has strong brand recognition. They use Owens Corning 703 fiberglass core with fabric wrapping. Their panels perform well with NRC 1.0 ratings and they offer reasonable customization.

Key specs: NRC 1.0. Owens Corning 703 core. Class A fire rated. Multiple size options.

Considerations: Custom sizes carry surcharges. Limited art printing options. Shipping costs add up on smaller orders.

GIK Acoustics

Best for: Audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts who want designer aesthetics.

GIK Acoustics positions as a premium brand with a focus on the audiophile market. They use mineral wool cores and offer some unique products like the Alpha series with built-in diffusion.

Key specs: NRC 1.0. Mineral wool core. Free shipping over $300. Atlanta, GA manufacturing.

Considerations: Higher price point. Longer lead times (up to 15 business days). No custom art printing. Limited custom sizing.

Audimute

Best for: Eco-conscious buyers who want recycled materials.

Audimute uses recycled cotton (eco-C-tex) as their core material instead of fiberglass. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, they offer a unique eco-friendly angle. Their panels perform well but generally have slightly lower NRC ratings than fiberglass alternatives at the same thickness.

Key specs: NRC 0.85-1.0. Recycled cotton core. Class A fire rated. Cleveland, OH manufacturing.

Considerations: Slightly lower NRC at thinner dimensions. Higher price point than fiberglass panels. Limited custom sizing.

DIY with Owens Corning 703 or Knauf ECOSE

Best for: DIY builders with carpentry skills who want to save money on materials.

You can purchase raw fiberglass insulation boards (Owens Corning 703, Knauf ECOSE) from building supply stores or directly from us and build your own panels with wood frames and acoustically transparent fabric.

Key specs: NRC 1.0 at 2" thickness. Non-combustible fiberglass. Requires framing, fabric, and DIY assembly.

Considerations: Fiberglass handling requires safety equipment (gloves, mask). No warranty on finished product. Time-intensive (1-2 hours per panel). Need carpentry tools and skills.

Amazon Foam Panels

Best for: Extremely budget-conscious buyers who need minimal treatment.

Foam panels on Amazon (brands like DEKIRU, JBER, Pro Studio Acoustics) are the cheapest option but perform dramatically worse. Most achieve NRC 0.2-0.4, meaning they absorb only 20-40% of sound — compared to 100% for fiberglass panels.

Key specs: NRC 0.2-0.4. Polyurethane foam. Usually 1-2" thick. No fire rating in most cases.

Considerations: Crumble and degrade within 2-5 years. Minimal bass absorption. Fire hazard without proper ratings. Cheap appearance. Not suitable for professional use.

How to Choose the Right Acoustic Panels

For Home Recording Studios

Professional-grade panels with NRC 1.0 are essential for accurate monitoring. Start with 2-inch panels at first reflection points, add 4-inch bass traps in corners. Budget: $400-$800 for a typical 10x12 room.

For Podcast Studios

Focus on mid-high frequency absorption to reduce room reflections in vocal recordings. 2-inch panels work well. Consider a corner bass trap package for comprehensive treatment. Budget: $300-$600.

For Home Theaters

Combination of absorption and diffusion creates the best listening environment. 2-inch panels on side walls and rear, 4-inch bass traps in front corners. Budget: $600-$1500 depending on room size.

For Offices and Conference Rooms

Focus on speech intelligibility and echo reduction. 2-inch panels covering 25-30% of wall surface. Consider acoustic ceiling tiles for drop ceilings. Budget: $500-$2000 depending on space.

For Restaurants and Bars

Custom art panels let you maintain ambiance while controlling noise. NRC 1.0 panels can reduce noise levels by 10-15 dB. Budget: $1000-$5000 depending on size.

The Bottom Line

For most buyers, the choice comes down to three factors: performance (NRC rating), customization (sizes, printing), and price. Foam panels are tempting on price but fail on performance. Professional fiberglass or mineral wool panels from any reputable US manufacturer will deliver NRC 1.0 performance.

What sets AcousticSoundPanels.com apart is the combination of professional NRC 1.0 performance, custom sizing at no extra charge, and unique art printing capability — all at price points competitive with or below other premium brands.

Need help choosing? Call us toll-free at 1-800-649-6278 for a free room analysis and personalized recommendation.

Related: Office Acoustic Panels — Reduce Noise & Boost Productivity →