“I want a soundproof room at home. But professional ones from Yamaha cost thousands of dollars…”
If you’re on the verge of giving up, you might have stumbled upon “Budget Soundproof Booths” priced between ¥100,000 and ¥200,000 ($700 - $1,500). Names like “Danbocchi” or “OTODASU” are famous in Japan.
But here is one “Cruel Truth” you need to know:
Budget soundproof booths, in their stock state, do not offer “professional soundproofing performance.”
“So they are useless?” No, thinking that is premature. If you choose the right one for your “purpose” and “expectations,” these can be the best cost-performance “Secret Bases.”
In this article, we organize the 2025 budget soundproof booth market and honestly explain how to choose without regret, matching your specific goals.
The Lineup (The Under ¥200,000 Contenders)#
We compare these four main options:
- Danbocchi (Kanda Sangyo/VIBE): The pioneer cardboard booth.
- OTODASU II (Coolish Music): Lightweight, tool-free plastic cardboard assembly.
- ISOVOX 2 (ISOVOX): A “head-only” booth specialized for singing.
- Full DIY: Buying materials from a hardware store and building it from scratch.
Real Evaluation & Verdict#
1. Danbocchi: The Strongest “Modification Base” material#
Price: Approx. ¥90,000 - ¥110,000
It’s the most famous product, but we do not recommend using it as is. Since the material is “reinforced cardboard,” it reduces conversational voices, but if you sing loudly, it will be clearly audible in the next room.
The true value of “Danbocchi” lies in its modifiability. Because the surface is paper, you can easily stick “Lead Sheets (Sound Insulation)” and “Absorption Materials” bought from a hardware store using double-sided tape. If you spend an extra ¥20,000 - ¥30,000 on heavy modifications, you can boost it to a performance level rivaling ¥200,000 class booths.
- Suitable for: DIY lovers, those who want to upgrade performance gradually.
- Not suitable for: People who want perfect soundproofing right out of the box.
2. OTODASU II: Looks and Convenience are Justice#
Price: Approx. ¥154,000+
It is more stylish than “Danbocchi,” and its biggest appeal is that it can be assembled without tools. Since the material is lightweight plastic cardboard, sound isolation is modest (around D-20 to D-25). It is not suitable for drums, saxophones, or screaming game streams.
However, for uses like “not wanting family to hear telework conversations” or “late-night quiet chatting streams,” it is a perfect match. Recently, optional absorption sets are available, making it easier to improve performance than before.
- Suitable for: Telework, conversational streaming, renters who can’t place heavy objects.
- Not suitable for: People who want to play loud instruments.
3. ISOVOX 2: The Vocalist’s Ultimate Weapon#
Price: Approx. ¥165,000
This is not a “room.” It is a “box for your head.” But the performance is real. With a massive -35dB sound reduction, you can sing at full volume even at night.
It provides a “dead” acoustic environment similar to a recording studio (booth). If you aim for Pro-level sound quality in “Utattemita” (Cover Songs) or Voice Acting , this is far better than buying a half-baked full-body soundproof booth. The downsides are that you can’t move much, and it becomes hellishly hot in summer.
- Suitable for: People specializing in singing or narration recording.
- Not suitable for: People who want to play instruments, claustrophobic people.
4. Full DIY: High Risk, High Return#
Price: ¥50,000 - ¥200,000 (Materials)
The serious route, building with 2x4 lumber, gypsum board, and sound insulation sheets. In terms of material costs alone, you can build a high-performance room for about ¥100,000, but the labor is immense. It’s common for design to completion to take a whole month.
Also, the biggest difficulty is “Disposal.” When dismantling and disposing of it, materials like gypsum board are treated as industrial waste, costing tens of thousands of yen just to throw away. Moving it out of a rental apartment is also a struggle.
- Suitable for: People with construction knowledge, time, physical stamina, and homeowners.
- Not suitable for: Renters, DIY beginners.
Specs & Performance Matrix#
| Item | Danbocchi (Stock) | OTODASU II | ISOVOX 2 | DIY (Serious) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Est. Price | ¥90k - ¥110k | ¥154k+ | Approx. ¥165k | ¥50k - ¥200k |
| Material | Reinforced Cardboard | Plastic Cardboard | Special Acoustic Panels | Gypsum Board etc. |
| Isolation | Fair (Needs mods) | Good for Speech | Excellent (Voice) | Depends on skill |
| Assembly | Average (Heavy) | Easy (No tools) | Easy | Pure Hell |
| Best Use | Mod base / Streaming | Telework / Light Stream | Pro Vocals | Instruments / Drums |
Conclusion: Which one is for you?#
Q1. I want to do Game Streaming / Chatting#
→ “OTODASU II” or “Danbocchi (Modified)” For normal speaking voices or occasional laughter, these will prevent neighbor trouble. If you care about looks, go for OTODASU. If you enjoy modifying, go for Danbocchi.
Q2. I want to record Pro Vocals seriously#
→ “ISOVOX 2” It is overwhelmingly superior in both sound quality and isolation compared to a half-baked room. Just tolerate the heat.
Q3. I want to practice Saxophone or Guitar#
→ Give up on budget booths. Products in this price range (excluding DIY) cannot stop the vibration and sound pressure of instruments. Get a loan for a “Yamaha Avitecs” or go to a rental studio.
Summary: There is a Reason for “Cheap”#
“Cheap” has its reasons. But if it matches your purpose (the volume you want to reduce), it’s a fantastic deal.
Don’t expect too much, and use them wisely as a tool for “Better Manners.” If you are worried and think “I really want to soundproof the whole room properly,” start by reviewing your own room’s environment first.
