Polymax Absorb vs Tontine Acoustisorb

[Manning]

OK, until recently I'd never even heard of Polymax - a Sydney-based manufacturer of acoustic insulation (among other things). Here's their website - http://www.polymaxinsulation.com.au/aco ... etail.html

Anyway, as I am wont to do, I wrote to the company and asked them a bunch of relevant questions, and clearly stated I will be copying their response to this forum.

So here is the response from Polymax to my email of only a few hours ago (with a few redactions of commercially sensitive stuff, as requested by the author.) They certainly earn points for the prompt, thorough response.

------------------

Manning

Thank you very much for your interest in the Polymax Absorb product. You have an advantage in addressing this to me as I was formerly <some possibly sensitive information redacted, but very interesting nonetheless>.

Please see below answers to your questions and some comments from me:

In regard to a comparison of Absorb HD/XHD to Tontine Acoustisorb 2/3
1 - Have you ever done a competitive performance comparison?
Please see RAR file attached containing sound absorption reports for various Polymax products. Note that Polymax MAB 32/50 (product development name now called Absorb HD 50) in comparison to Tontine Acoustisorb 2 at 50mm which is contained in the file “complete MAB MSB reports” inside the RAR folder. Tontine Acoustisorb 2 50 mm was used as a control specimen for the test programme and was sourced from the market place. The Polymax achieved NRC 0.95 in comparison to Tontine NRC 0.85 for equal weight, density, and thickness. (at his request, I have not made these available, please contact Malcolm yourself if you wish to obtain copies)

2- Where do you feel your strengths/advantages are?
Our manufacturing is a card and cross lap process which Tontine also used a number of years ago before they switched to a faster airlay process. Card and cross lap combes the fibre and lays it out and is built up to the desired thickness and density in layers. Air-laying is a random process which produces a random jumble of fibres. Card and cross lap produces a much higher quality product which is consistent across the entire product. Airlaying has uncontrolled dense and less dense areas which makes for a very inconsistent product and inconsistent performance.

Tontine are using test reports from the late 90’s The products they tested at that time were card and cross lap and not what they currently produce, they did not conduct new tests when they changed their manufacturing process.

3 - How cost-competitive is your product?
Our products are similar in cost to other equivalent products

4 - How does a buyer in Sydney/Melb/Brisbane/Perth go about sourcing your products?
Please contact Martini in Sydney 02 9829 2299 or sales@martini.net.au or Melbourne factory 03 8368 2000 melbsales@martini.net.au and customers will be directed to their nearest distributor. We have distributors in all states.

5 - What other Polymax products do you feel might specifically appeal to professional audio engineers and recording studio owners?
Please see attached data sheets and photo of our new dECO Series designer absorptive panels. We are currently building a new website for this range which should be on line in a few weeks @ http://www.decoseries.com.au
(as before, please contact Polymax directly for your own copies of these datasheets)

Kind Regards,
Malcolm McBlain
Technical Services Manager | Martini Industries Pty Ltd

[rick]

and your married ....right manning ?

[Manning]

?

I was just passing info that I thought might be interesting along - If you don't like the post, feel free to delete it, naturally

[rick]

Oh no I was just quietly musing the incredibly
Detailed and over engineered approach to your
Life and hobbies and my current marriage status
err ...recently divorced

[Manning]

There are happy marriages, but certainly also happy divorces. I've managed to experience both

But yeah, it is very cool to be allowed to spend money and time on something that is ostensibly "for my wife".

I should also add that the primary reason for the over-engineering is "not wanting to look stupid in front of the TR crowd" (although I managed it anyway). Nothing like a group of amazingly skilled onlookers to get you trying harder.

[dave01.cooper]

Let me say a big belated THANKS manning for this info.

Good tips for a lad whose in the markets for the above....

Any Melbournites have any vendours on hand that sells XHD?

chur brew

[peat]

Martini are the company that own / make Polymax.
Samanthat was very helpful in providing info on local distributors throughout the country:

Samantha@martini.net.au

[Drumstruck]

"Our products are similar in cost to other equivalent products"

10 points for legal vagueness

[Enginearing]

Awesome info Manning, nice thread bump.

[HA_DA_JA]

For those who have more time to waste then me.
Here are some Video clips on Polymax in action

http://www.youtube.com/user/polymaxinsulation