Apartment-dwellers: Using a subwoofer ?

[epsilon]

If you live in an apartment I am interested in your experiences with using a subwoofer. Has noise been a problem for your neighbors? Were you able to do anything to lessen the problem. What has worked for you ?

 

[EY2K]

I have the Yamaha speakers as seen here. The 40watt sub is quite powerful but I keep the bass turned low-to-mid as to not disturb my neighbors. Also, my upstairs neighbors seems to wrestle or have sex a lot so I don't think my loud CS or music disturbs them all too much.

 

[Scootin159]

I have 2x18" 1000w subs. Don't reccomend it much for apartment use...or indoor use for that matter (put a nice crack in my window ).

 

[epsilon]

Ey2K,

Are you on the bottom floor ? If not did you put anything under the sub to lessen the noise or was it not a problem ?

Thanks

 

[EY2K]

I live in a 3-floor complex, and I'm smack in the middle aka 2nd floor. I haven't tried putting anything under the sub, if anything that would exacerbate the bass since the cardboard would vibrate. If anything the carpetting muffles the bass somewhat. But like I said earlier, my upstairs neighbors are quite rambunctouis(sp?).

 

[LanEvoVI]

Yeah...i've got some problems...i've got a nice 5 channel dolby system and my neighbors complain when i turn it up the slightest bit. Kidna sux that i have to wear headphones now...but oh well.

 

[tristramshandy]

It helps all speakers to have them raised off the floor with some kind of stand or audio "feet". Not only will a speaker sound better if it's producing less contact vibration (because the case has been insulated from vibrating survaces) but the neighbors will get less ceiling boom from your woofa. You know the fancy little spikes you see on the bottom off expensive speakers? - well think about getting your subwoofer just a little bit raised off the floor and away from the walls. You might be surprised.

 

[zamzam]

I do not live an an apt., but in my community my system is more than adequate to get neighbors mad. I do have a slick feature (when listening to any digital streams) of turning on a "night" mode which is made to reduce the carry effects of the sound while still giving clear true sound, and it does an excellent job.

 

[Windogg]

The construction of the dwelling also plays a major part. I used to live in a nice concrete and brick highrise in NYC that was insulated against pretty much everything. Local laws state that each apartment must be a self contained unit to prevent fries from spreading. When I moved to Massachusetts, the construction was still concrete and brick but the dividers for the apartments were wood plus drywall. A large subsoofer near a common wall would filter through. My solution was to move all the subwoofers to the interior walls. Now I live in the boonies, where the entire townhouse is woodframe. every little noise filters through so I have to keep the bass down.

Windogg

 

[MasterHoss]

Yeah, usually I keep my subs at 35% or so....but the people who live below me think they have a kick-ass sound system (I've seen their RadioShack system)...so I turn up both of my dual side-firing 6" subs to about 50% and they'll turn their sh*t down.

All you have to do (if you're a good neighbor) is to let them know what you have and invite them to let you know if you're being too loud.