ᐅ My KALLAX shelf makes a rattling noise when I insert storage boxes – how can I reduce the noise?
Created on: 2 Aug 2024 08:37
L
laumar
Hello everyone,
Some time ago, I equipped my IKEA KALLAX shelf with speaker boxes, but the shelf rattles quite a lot as soon as I put the speakers in or even move them slightly. The speakers are placed directly in the compartments without a secure fit, so they make noise when touched, which is really annoying when listening to music.
I suspect the rattling is caused by the speakers’ vibrations and the lack of stability within the compartment. Has anyone had experience with how to dampen the shelf or the speakers without making major modifications to the furniture? I’m thinking of materials like foam, felt, or other padding layers, but which ones work well and are easy to apply?
I would really appreciate any advice on the best ways to reduce noise and vibrations in the KALLAX.
Thanks in advance!
Some time ago, I equipped my IKEA KALLAX shelf with speaker boxes, but the shelf rattles quite a lot as soon as I put the speakers in or even move them slightly. The speakers are placed directly in the compartments without a secure fit, so they make noise when touched, which is really annoying when listening to music.
I suspect the rattling is caused by the speakers’ vibrations and the lack of stability within the compartment. Has anyone had experience with how to dampen the shelf or the speakers without making major modifications to the furniture? I’m thinking of materials like foam, felt, or other padding layers, but which ones work well and are easy to apply?
I would really appreciate any advice on the best ways to reduce noise and vibrations in the KALLAX.
Thanks in advance!
To address the topic in more detail, it is important to understand how the vibrations are generated and how they spread within the KALLAX shelf.
The KALLAX is made of thin particleboard, which does not offer high intrinsic stability. The speakers produce mechanical vibrations that are transferred through contact points on the shelf edges, causing rattling noises.
The best way to dampen these vibrations is a combination of mass and softness:
1. Felt or soft foam at the contact points reduces friction and absorbs initial vibrations.
2. An intermediate layer made of, for example, vibration damping rubber or Sorbothane increases the insulation effect, as these materials are specifically designed for such applications.
3. Also, ensure the speakers are positioned stably. A slight tilt can lead to increased rattling.
Question: What type of speakers do you have exactly and how heavy are they? Are they placed directly in the compartments, or do you have additional shelves or boards in between? This can influence the choice of damping material.
The KALLAX is made of thin particleboard, which does not offer high intrinsic stability. The speakers produce mechanical vibrations that are transferred through contact points on the shelf edges, causing rattling noises.
The best way to dampen these vibrations is a combination of mass and softness:
1. Felt or soft foam at the contact points reduces friction and absorbs initial vibrations.
2. An intermediate layer made of, for example, vibration damping rubber or Sorbothane increases the insulation effect, as these materials are specifically designed for such applications.
3. Also, ensure the speakers are positioned stably. A slight tilt can lead to increased rattling.
Question: What type of speakers do you have exactly and how heavy are they? Are they placed directly in the compartments, or do you have additional shelves or boards in between? This can influence the choice of damping material.
Filippo schrieb:
Question: What type of speakers do you have exactly and how heavy are they? Are they placed directly in the compartments or do you have shelves or panels in between?Thanks for the hint, Filippo. The speakers are relatively heavy compact models, about 7 kg (15 lbs) each, and they sit directly in the KALLAX compartments, which do not have any additional shelves. The compartments are just wide enough to fit the speakers with a little room to spare.
At first, it seemed less about the weight and more about the play and vibrations that get louder with bass, which cause the rattling.
I think a combination of felt and rubber mats could be the right solution, but I’m still unsure about the thickness of the material and the best way to secure it without damaging the frame of the shelving unit.
laumar schrieb:
how to best secure it without damaging the shelf frame.\Here’s a small tip:
Self-adhesive pads made of felt or rubber are ideal because they don’t require drilling or screwing. Just make sure to clean the surfaces thoroughly beforehand so the adhesive sticks well.
If you want to use thicker material, you can also cut loose sheets (e.g., felt or cork sheets) and place them inside. The boxes will then press them firmly against the wood without leaving permanent marks.
If the shelf is against a wall, it’s also worthwhile to slightly secure the back panel to prevent it from vibrating. Overall, several thin layers usually work better than one thick layer.
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