Finishing basement - soundproofing ceiling

[JiminMN]

I need some advice on soundproofing the ceiling of my basement finish project. I'm going to have a home theater down there and a pool table, don't want to hear the TV upstairs or vice versa. I've been doing some research and I've read stuff about resilient channel, 2-layers of drywall, insulation, and special sound blocking material. Is any of this really necessary if I just want to deaden the sound, it doesn't have to be whisper-quiet just good enough so my wife doesn't complain?

Cost is a big factor, would just putting insulation batts (what type)? up there, solve my problem?

[pushkins]

If cost is a big factor then you are limited to just how soundproof a room you will achieve.
The most cost effective way is as you suggested, insulation (unfaced) put inside the floor joists, make sure that when you put it in you don't leave any holes or gaps between the joists. Then over the top of the joists install drywall 1/2. If you have a drywall lift (or want to rent one) or have a few friends that want to help I'd go with 5/8 drywall, you'd be surprised the difference it will make but it is more expensive and far heavier.

[mrcaptainbob]

Sound deadening..

I inadvertently was successful at something similar. I made a basement workshop, later used by my youngest for 'band' practice. I hung 2x4's from the floor joists with maybe an inch or two clearance. I used 2x4's verticly to suspend them. These were on 16 centers, but were trued up where the joists were not. I put up 1/2" drywall on them. THe only insulation was against the brick on the outside wall. I was really surprised at how little the sound penetrated the upstairs. Don't know why..it just didn't. What Pushkins suggests is right on. Get the sound deadening insulation, seal any openings to prevent the sound leaking through. The third to eliminate is structural transmission of the sound vibrations. That''s a hard one to do unless you slip some foam rubber under all the contact points of that room. Even the nails holding the walls to the ceilings will transmit that. The most you can do is the insulation and the sealing.