Neighbor in new apartment has big home theater with lots o bass..suggestions on course of action without physical....

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Hello all,

Well seems as if my wife and I have something of a situation with our new neighbor, he happens to be the proud new owner of a new 700 watt home theater system and just loves to show it off every weekend night in our apartment complex...our place feels like jurassic park because of all the bass and my wife and I are somewhat steamed..what makes matters worse is that she has gone over twice to ask him to turn it down and both times he denies that it is his stereo even though it is pretty obvious that its his.

I would love to go over to him and ask for him to turn it down however I try not to get myself into confrontational situations as I have a very very short fuse and it would most likely end up in either a shouting match, fist fight, or damage of someones private property which is why I am comming to you all for advice, a more civilized approach to resolving the situation....

really, the noise isn't the problem, but the bass that the system puts out, he plays it all night (3am or later) and it is enough so that sometimes you can feel it even when standing outside of the building near your car (only a three story brick building).

My question is what to do? I have just complained to the management via email and will complain again on the phone but I seriously doubt that it will have any type of effect....there is a town noise ordinance where everyone has to be quiet past 10pm but I don't know if massive bass counts as noise and a valid complaint, plus if the cops show up at his door I am certain he will know who it is and probabily vandalize my wifes or my car..possibly both...I could go over there and say something but I am 100% positive it wouldn't work out well and would most certainly end up in at least a shouting match making living here a total nightmare.....

I told my wife that my solution was to complain to management and if they didn't do anything we would just go somewhere for a week and I would put the most bass songs I can think of on repeat in both our computers and put the subs right up against his bedroom wall and have them on repeat....then he might get an idea of just how annoying he is and if anyone complained to us we would just say it was him...but unfortunately my wife didn't like that idea....

any other suggestions on courses of action short of a fist fight, keying his car, nasty liquid under his doorjamb, gluing his door shut, playing p0rno really loud for a week all day and night.... or other actions that could get me in trouble would be appreciated :)
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Originally posted by: edro13
Just go over and ask to him NICELY to turn down the bass.

Hey Edro13, thanks for the suggestion but as I said my wife has already gone over there twice and asked very politely if they would turn it down, the first time they turned down the volume and cranked the bass, the second time they denied that the stereo was theirs and said she must be hearing things or it was someone else even when she saw the system in their livingroom and heard it right when she knocked....I would love to go over and be nice but after that it would be hard...I thought at first if she asked it would have more of an effect since she is a woman and they were two guys but didn't seem to be the case..
 

Rogue

Banned
Jan 28, 2000
5,774
0
0
Would it be possible to setup a camera that views your parking lot? If so, I'd setup a cheap camera on my cars and then call the cops on his ass. Kill two birds with one stone if you think he'll vandalize your cars.

I do like your other suggestions and maybe he does need a little of his own medicine to understand the problem he's causing. Usually though, a visit by the police will curtail his activity because then he'll know you're serious. Hell, I'd go over there with the police if I were you, don't hide from him. Let him know you turned him in and then he'll really think twice about messing with you.
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Originally posted by: Metalloid
Or go over there and enjoy it

I would if it was anything good, but all they watch is crapola....plus they always seem to have it on when we are trying to watch something or just relax...I am surprised that no one else complains about it especially those underneath them...
 

ReiAyanami

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2002
4,466
0
0
also record his bass and note what time it is. for potential future legal purposes. ask the other neighbors surrounding him like above or below or the other side if they can hear when he has his bass on
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Originally posted by: Rogue
Would it be possible to setup a camera that views your parking lot? If so, I'd setup a cheap camera on my cars and then call the cops on his ass. Kill two birds with one stone if you think he'll vandalize your cars.

I do like your other suggestions and maybe he does need a little of his own medicine to understand the problem he's causing. Usually though, a visit by the police will curtail his activity because then he'll know you're serious. Hell, I'd go over there with the police if I were you, don't hide from him. Let him know you turned him in and then he'll really think twice about messing with you.

Rogue this sounds like a good idea but does bass count for noise pollution or violate noise ordinances?
I mean it really isn't "loud" per say but it is wicked annoying....it always amazes me how little courtesy people have for others..I feel awful if I even think about playing stuff that loud all night

 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: bozack
Originally posted by: Rogue
Would it be possible to setup a camera that views your parking lot? If so, I'd setup a cheap camera on my cars and then call the cops on his ass. Kill two birds with one stone if you think he'll vandalize your cars.

I do like your other suggestions and maybe he does need a little of his own medicine to understand the problem he's causing. Usually though, a visit by the police will curtail his activity because then he'll know you're serious. Hell, I'd go over there with the police if I were you, don't hide from him. Let him know you turned him in and then he'll really think twice about messing with you.

Rogue this sounds like a good idea but does bass count for noise pollution or violate noise ordinances?
I mean it really isn't "loud" per say but it is wicked annoying....it always amazes me how little courtesy people have for others..I feel awful if I even think about playing stuff that loud all night

Yes, it would be a valid noise complaint.
 

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
When you "run" into him, nicely say "Hey, I hear you have a new home theater sound system?".
Unless he's an idiot, he will ask if it's too loud. You need to let him know what's acceptable to you, ie occasional and not after 10pm, etc.
If he doesn't comply, call the police when it's after hours.
 

Darien

Platinum Member
Feb 27, 2002
2,817
1
0
Originally posted by: Mrburns2007
You wimp..stop complaining about loud music and movies...how old are you anyways ?

So you're a wimp if you want peace and quiet?
 

Amorphus

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2003
5,561
1
0
Originally posted by: Mrburns2007
You wimp..stop complaining about loud music and movies...how old are you anyways ?

you flaming idiot. people like their peace and quiet. how about right when you're trying to sleep, I pound your bedframe? and then after you sleep, I pound on it some more? and then I scream into your ear?

oh, you don't like that? you wimp, how old are you?

shut up.
 

Banana

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
3,132
23
81
The ultimate solution, short of homicide, is to save money and get a house. All the years we lived in apts, there never fails to be a jerk who abuses his neighbors. Sure, there were a few who actually turned down the stereo/TV, but eventually go back to their old habits. I would carefully read your apartment rules and see if there is one for disturbing the neighbors. Or . . .

Put on a pair of heavy duty earplugs, invite yourself over during one of the loud movies and crank the volume to maximum until the speakers blow up. If you're lucky, their eardrums would rupture and they'd have no use for sounds anymore. :evil:
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Hey all, thanks for the suggestions, I think I will document it, take it up with management and then also call the police if necessary....I will also try and bump into him in the hallway, but I still haven't yet..it is like he never goes out, just stays in there and watches movies....

I thought I would comment on this:

Originally posted by: 1YellowPeril
The ultimate solution, short of homicide, is to save money and get a house. All the years we lived in apts, there never fails to be a jerk who abuses his neighbors. Sure, there were a few who actually turned down the stereo/TV, but eventually go back to their old habits. I would carefully read your apartment rules and see if there is one for disturbing the neighbors. Or . . .

Put on a pair of heavy duty earplugs, invite yourself over during one of the loud movies and crank the volume to maximum until the speakers blow up. If you're lucky, their eardrums would rupture and they'd have no use for sounds anymore. :evil:

We would love to buy a house, however we still don't know where we want to live yet...currently we live in MA however my wife really hates it here because of the cost of living and the weather so we are still renting until she figures out where she wants to live....I have also been renting a while and agree, there is always an ace hole that is a total jerk to their neighbors, and like you say there are those who when asked to turn it down will but then the next night it is back up and loud again...I always wonder what posesses people to buy loud stereos when they live in apartments...it is cool while in college, and when you have your own house it is your own business...but in an apartment with working people who need their rest I am sorry but it is just uncalled for...

I know there is a provision for not annoying neighbors and rules on sound, I have emailed the office and I will call tommorow to say something because this is really ridiculous...I am just still amazed that no one else complains at all...there is no way that I am the only one feeling this...

and to the person who asked how old I am and that I am a wimp, sorry I work two jobs current due to the holliday and that I enjoy my free quiet time, when I moved in here they said it was so quiet that I would never hear anyting....

 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
If it was 3pm, I'd tell you to stop being such a little bitch and suck it up due to apartment living.

But if it's 3am, call the cops.

Failing that, vigilantism. Optimally, break into his room and jack everything you can. If his subs are securely attached or just too damn big to move quickly, shank 'em with a flathead. Then proceed to vehicle.

- M4H

(Not responsible for legal repercussions of final suggestion.)
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
1
0
As a "bass head" myself, I can appreciate his need to turn up his gear to enjoy it. However, an apartment is not the place to do such a thing. But, it does sound like you have your thoughts organized - and can carry out the appropriate steps.

If you apartment complex will not deal with the individual, then see if they will move you to another unit so you can enjoy your peace and quiet once again.

 

tooltime

Golden Member
Oct 26, 2003
1,029
0
0
call him a neanderthal...jk

talk with him and ask him real nice...then call him a neanderthal