For city apartment dweller audiophiles. Have you ever had neighbors banging on your walls?

@mahgister In some countries, people have an expectation to be free FROM other people’s excess. In the US, people have a perception that they have the right TO make noise and disturb others. In other words, in the US, the ethos is that I can make noise and so can you. We all have noise together. In other countries, I will be as quiet as I can and you will offer me the same courtesy. We all can have quiet together.

While not everyone conforms to this alignment, we’re all aware of the common understanding of how loud Americans are when vacationing abroad.

Birds sing in England, birds call in America. 

Coop Board President in NYC (Queens) for 14 years.  Safe to say, all manner of noise complaints have been brought to me for resolution.  

Granted, so much depends on the building structure itself.  Prewar, wooden floor  joist buildings are going to transmit all manner of sounds and vibrations.  Sheetrock walls, unlike plaster walls, do not muffle sound.  

What can you do?  Point #1 - Nothing and I repeat nothing (speakers, electronics, speakers, TVs) should share a common wall with a neighbor.  All interior to you.  

In your case, you directly coupled your speakers to the floor.  Simple solution ... de-couple them.  I would not be very open to whatever arguments regarding your music that you would make.  You attached your speakers to a common surface.  

Point #2 - 8AM is too early to start in with your music.  Just is.  I am writing this at 9AM on a Tuesday and I would be super PO'd if music were lofting in from above me.  

In my building, we have seen the proliferation of pianos and children practicing.  Parents get their kids started early on weekend mornings.  It's awful.  

Add to this mix ... municipal construction noise, lawn mowing, cars, buses ... you get the idea.  

You did mention you have good soundproofing in your place,  Could be your neighbor just got tired of the morning symphonies?  You would think if everyone survived WFH, you would be ok going forward.  Maybe they just retired or had a change in work set-up.  It had to be loud enough to pass through 2 rooms and elicit a complaint.  

Still ... you are in a cooperative living situation ... cooperate.  

I would love to go loud at times with my stereo ... I just don't.  If you live with someone, what do they think of the sound level?   

Rich 

For sure! you are right...

In Japan, architecture comes with paper walls traditionally then all culture circle around respect and politeness and low noise level.

I am not surprised by Japan big circles of audiophiles among the cities. Noise kill music.Music breath in low DB level slightly under 80 for sure . If not deafness watch for us.

I am lucky to live in a place which for the time being resemble more one of this country more than the other ...😊

Noise kill. Period.

@mahgister In some countries, people have an expectation to be free FROM other people’s excess. In the US, people have a perception that they have the right TO make noise and disturb others. In other words, in the US, the ethos is that I can make noise and so can you. We all have noise together. In other countries, I will be as quiet as I can and you will offer me the same courtesy. We all can have quiet together.

While not everyone conforms to this alignment, we’re all aware of the common understanding of how loud Americans are when vacationing abroad.

Birds sing in England, birds call in America.

@noromance ... Speaking about Germany. It has the most intolerant neighbors and police will "straighten out" the noisy ones if complained. Nearly same for Poland! They even have daylight regulations of calmness and quietness. 

In US people are more tolerant rather than having deliberate perception and cops do right thing not paying attention to such minor issue