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New Room (from House to Apt) advice wanted on minimizing complaints

new room is ~ 11.5 ft by 22 ft. i was lucky enough to only get a neighbor on one side of me, so for purposes of reducing the "Turn That Down" complaints, i was going to put the speakers firing away from the neighbor's wall (ie using that wall as the front wall, with rear of speakers facing neighbor). this means the long wall gets the speakers. so sidewalls will be no prob. but what else can i do to minimize noise travel through walls? any soundproofing / acoustical drapes that i should put on front wall? 

i will decouple subs from floor by putting 3" maple blocks under ea sub. 

(plenty of 16" tube traps and 6" bass panels avail).

tia
rhyno
128x128rhyno
cymbop
315 posts
 
Go talk to them.  Introduce yourself.  Let them know during this conversation that you're a stereo nerd, but that you're into quality and that loudness is not the name of the game.  Give them your number and invite them to call if they are ever bothered at all.  And maybe set up hours after which you agree to knock it off.

A conversation is probably worth more than all the soundproofing in the world.

swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The maple blocks will still couple the sub to the floor, just over a smaller area.  Look into Aurelex (sp?).  They make specific products for subwoofer isolation.  If you own the apartment, the green-glue/dry wall solution should also be seriously considered. 
wlutke
727 posts
 
I find the bass penetrates the wall (drywall construction) with our neighbors much more easily than the mids or treble.  Speakers and subs on the wall away from the neighbor might be a better idea.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,883 posts
 
Yes, it's the bass that people hear far more than anything else. I know because I can hear my neighbors bass and not much else. If you can't afford the additional dry wall, one way is to hang heavy rugs directly behind your speakers. You can get creative with that and it can end up looking nice. They don't have to be that big to do the job.

Next step up is to invest in some sound paneling and bass traps.

All the best,
Nonoise
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
rhyno:

The only practical and effective advice is from cymbop. Get to know your neighbors. Tell them you do listen to music. Present them with a Nice present as you are invading some of their space. Ask if you can hear what they hear by visiting their apartment. Avoid the type of music they hate or turn it down.
Lastly, get a really good headphone system. I use this for all listening after 8 pm.

David Pritchard
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