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Walls, ceilings, floors -- neighbors and sound

I've started to search around my little town for a condo, and I'm wondering, all other things being equal (which they never are, of course), what might be best for allowing me to do a good deal of listening without making my neighbors have to hear what I happen to be into at that moment. In general, do folks above hear more than those below? Or vice versa? Or is it a bigger problem for those on the other side of a shared wall? I understand that this will all depend on the construction of the place in question, but can anyone tell me if there are certain things to look for? And other to avoid? Thanks for any help you might give me with this one.
-- Howard
hodu

Showing 1 response by mightyburner

mightyburner
30 posts
 
I live in NYC apartment/condo. Fortunately on the top floor. First thing I did was just as Jeffjarvis did,,,let them know you care and that they should contact you if it gets too loud. At minimum you should have a large area rug (with a carpet pad) where your rig is located and make sure you decoupled the speakers from the floor/carpet. If your setting a HT system, I advise you not to wall mount your surround speakers. I set up my living room so that the speakers face into my living area not towards the adjoining walls. Last, if you use a subwoofer, you may want to put it on something like an Auralex Gramma pad. If that doesn't work for you try a Buttkicker. Right now I'm looking into sound decorative acoustical panels from www.acousticalsolutions.com. You may want to pursue that option as well.

Good Luck.
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