“If I have a soundproof room, I can sing as much as I want without worrying about the time!” To those who are considering a soundproof room to make such a dream come true.
Indeed, a soundproof room is a wonderful item, but it is not a cheap purchase at all, and the impact on life is also large. To avoid regretting “This wasn’t supposed to happen…”, let’s firmly understand not only the good points (merits) but also the bad points (demerits).
In this article, we will tell you the realistic reality while also including the voices of users who actually introduced soundproof rooms.
3 Major Merits of Introducing a Soundproof Room#
1. Freedom to make “sound” at any time, 24 hours a day#
This is the biggest reason and merit.
- You can practice singing as much as you want at 10 PM after returning home from work.
- You can play the piano without hesitation from early in the morning on holidays.
- You can play games by voice chat after your family has fallen asleep.
Being released from the mental stress of “Is it a nuisance to the neighbors…?” is a value that cannot be replaced by money.
2. You can get your own “immersive space”#
A soundproof room is not only a place to keep sound from going out, but also a place to “keep sound from coming in”. Since daily life sounds and the sound of your family’s TV are blocked, it becomes an ideal “Room of Spirit and Time” not only for recording but also for when you want to concentrate on study or work.
3. Can be sold (becomes an asset)#
Especially in the case of unit types (Yamaha, Kawai, etc.), it is possible to sell as used if you use it cleanly. Soundproof construction (renovation) can only be demolished if you do it once, but if it is a unit type, the option of “selling” remains even if the life stage changes.
3 Demerits (Realities) You Should Know#
1. The room is compressed and the living space decreases#
If you put a 1.5 tatami soundproof room, please think that the space for “2.5 to 3 tatami” is actually crushed.
- The thickness of the wall of the soundproof room.
- The gap (air layer) for installing it away from the wall.
- Space for opening and closing the door.
If you put a 1.5 tatami type in a 6 tatami room, it feels like nearly half of the room is occupied. You need to be prepared to be “tight with a bed and a soundproof room”.
2. It’s hot in summer, and air conditioning management is difficult#
A soundproof room is a mass of “airtightness”. In other words, it is a structure where heat tends to be trapped and moisture is difficult to escape.
- In summer, it becomes a sauna state in a few minutes without an air conditioner (it gets even hotter if you put a PC in).
- For small types (0.8 tatami, etc.) where an air conditioner cannot be attached, long-term use is life-threatening.
- Since it is necessary to keep the ventilation fan running, the electricity bill also increases slightly.
3. Moving and relocation costs are high#
This tends to be a blind spot, but a soundproof room is not “furniture” but “equipment”. Ordinary moving companies often cannot carry it, and it is necessary to request from professional contractors. The cost of dismantling, transporting, and reassembling can cost more than $1,000 even in a nearby place. You should not think that “it can be moved easily”.
Check Before Introduction! Self-diagnosis for Not Regretting#
Check with three questions to see if you will not regret introducing a soundproof room.
- Q1. Is the “freedom to make sound” more important even if the room gets smaller?
- If No, you might be happier going to karaoke or a studio.
- Q2. Is the cost of installing an air conditioner (or countermeasures for summer heat) included in the budget?
- Don’t forget the maintenance cost of the installation environment as well as the unit price.
- Q3. Do you plan to move within a few years?
- If so, let’s also check the estimate of relocation costs in advance.
Summary#
A soundproof room can be the “strongest weapon” for those who love music and streaming, but at the same time, it is also a “huge box that occupies the room”.
If you can think “I still want it!” even after understanding the demerits, that investment should dramatically improve your creative life.
→ Related: Types and Selection of Soundproof Rooms | Which one fits me? → Back to Soundproof Room Basics Map (Top)