These two terms are used interchangeably when talking about acoustic treatment but their application can be confusing. What is the main difference and is it important to consider the difference when looking to improve room acoustics?
Rusty Messages: 1187 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
Recently I replaced some old flimsy curtains with some insulated ones. They stand out from the window more also. I think it has really enhanced the quality of sound within the room, seems there's more detail with the music. Curtains I found out aren't all that cheap, even all the peripheral hardware is expensive. I saved money by making the curtain rods out of electrical conduit and spray paint with wooden drawer knobs screwed to a dowel and just press fit on the end's. Something to consider with a spouse that would roll their eyes at the notion of acoustic panels all over the walls.
Based on the terminology used, sound masking is like a sound filtering. I think this is similar to the thin foam placed over the microphone, or the cloth screen between the singer and the microphone when recording in a studio.
Rusty, did you use thermal insulated curtains such as the kind that are supposed to help with energy efficiency? Or did you use some other specialty curtain that mainly targets sound? Your project sounds cool. I'm glad to hear it turned out well.
Rusty Messages: 1187 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
They were called room darkening curtains. They have some insulating material to them sandwiched in. Got them at Costco on sale. The curtains would have been cheaper than the hardware to hang them if I hadn't hit upon using the conduit pipe. That's where they get you in the pocket book.
Can we use styrofoam to absorb sound? What other materials, except curtains, can be used to absorb sound? Theaters have carpeted walls, do carpets absorb sound better than curtains?
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And if you want to go all out, shag carpeting. 
