Any tips for apartment living....

[Bruce Leroy]

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<DIV>A friend of mine moved into an apartment about a month ago. He has one of those Sony Dream Systems. Anyways he told me that the person(s) living downstairs asked him not to have his system up so loud. He says it wasn''t loud at all. So far they are the only ones to compalin as far as I know.</DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>Anyways this there anything he can do to stop/limit the sound that travels through the floor/walls/ceiling? </DIV>

[acoustix]

Since I also live in an apartment I think the best advice I can give him is to get an apartment on the bottom floor. I have Definitive Technology BP2004TLs with subs and plenty of other equipment. I have yet to have a complaint from anyone (other than my wife) when listening at resonable levels. <BR><BR>The problem that he is having is that the sub is radiating sound through the floor into another person's apartment from their ceiling. I'm not aware of anything that will help his situation in the apartment since he probably can't do any major modifications. Apartments are nutorius for thin, uninsulated walls. <BR><BR>His only other option is to put away his current system and purchase some bookshelf speakers and not use any subs. <BR><BR>That's all I can think of. I'm sure COF will chime in with other suggestions and experience. <BR><BR>-Nick

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>He could beef up the floor with sound deadening matting and a heavy layer of MDF or such put carpet on top of that with a heavy pad, but that is expensive and if it is going to be effective at all, it'll be somewhat permanent. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>I suggest doing away with the sub altogether. That last two times I was in an apartment, I just stored my subs until I could rent or buy a house. if the subs are gone, the expectation of killer bass are gone and the level of disappointment is reduced. </DIV>

[Bruce Leroy]

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<DIV>Thank you&nbsp;for the tips. I'll be sure to&nbsp;pass them along.</DIV>

[berlioz7]

I just turn the sub down and everything is fine.

[Phatbass]

also watch when you are using the sub. Basically leave it off or on low at night, but if your neighbors are gone or it is during the day you shouldn't have any problems.

[AllenW]

"""""<BR>He could beef up the floor with sound deadening matting and a heavy layer of MDF or such put carpet on top of that with a heavy pad, but that is expensive and if it is going to be effective at all, it'll be somewhat permanent. """"<BR><BR>Better read your lease first, you install something permament, and your damage deposit may go to them removing it after you leave.<BR><BR>As a long time apt dweller, turn it down or get headphones would be my suggestion<BR><BR>Al <BR> <BR> <BR>

[Bruce Leroy]

Well, I told him to unplg the sub. He didn't sound to happy. He said he'll give it a try though.<BR><BR>Thank you for all your input.

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>Well, in life we all have to make choices. He has to choose between great bass response in his apartment along with complaints, police visits and potential eviction versus less bass and happy neighbors. </DIV>

[knome2]

Would bass shakers work well to replace the sub? If you mounted them to your couch, it's possible that they might provide the "Umph" desired from a sub, but radiated into the couch.<BR><BR>

[Maximo]

Yup. Another good solution is a good pair of head phones. I was surprised the first time I watched a movie with a pair on. Not like the real thing but it beats tlaking to the cops.

[Bruce Leroy]

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<DIV></DIV><BR>
<P><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>----------------<BR>On 5/7/2004 5:38:54 PM acoustix wrote: <BR>
<BR>
<BR>Since I also live in an apartment I think the best advice I can give him is to get an apartment on the bottom floor.&nbsp; I have Definitive Technology BP2004TLs with subs and plenty of other equipment.&nbsp; I have yet to have a complaint from anyone (other than my wife) when listening at resonable levels.&nbsp; <BR><BR>-Nick<BR>----------------</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<P><BR>acoustix, what do you consider resonable levels? Like -10db below reference level? He doesn't have the test disk everyone talks about. Although he was thinking about buying one. </P><BR>
<P>knome2, what are bass shakers?</P><BR>
<P>He has no interest in headphones. Although I will bring it up again.</P>

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>I lived in a duplex next to a bunch of wild college students. For me, as the neighbor, reasonable levels were any level I couldn't hear after 10 pm when we were attempting to get to sleep. During the day, reasonable levels were quiet enough that I could speak to my family without shouting or repeating myself or watch TV without having to turn it up too high for my tastes. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>If they were playing music I hated (which was most of the time) anytime I could hear it was too loud. They played lots of Euro-Crap Techno-Dance Nightclub Garbage at outrageous levels (as I mentioned, just hearing that s##t drove me crazy). I complained to the owner several times before we eventually talked him into letting us out of our contract early. He was glad to see us go as he liked college students better since they never complained. </DIV>

[Bruce Leroy]

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<DIV>I can see how it would suck. This is the first time someone has talked to him about the noise. He is taking it pretty well. Not really mad, just a little disappointed.</DIV>

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>He just needs to realize that living in apartments has limitations on freedom. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>You can tell him to turn down his subwoofer or use the EQ on his receiver to turn the bass down (bass travels through walls more than midrange or treble). By having less bass in the room, he can have more of the rest of the audio. </DIV>