Ways to Reduce Atmospheric Noise


Hi Folks,
My tinnitus is coming back as a result of a cold and I believe also, due to a hyper-sensitivity towards atmospheric noise. The primary culprit is my annoying refrigerator which is up against a corner. I live in an apartment and I have my audio components in the best possible location but its relatively close to the kitchen. I also have neighbors above me who make a good deal of noise, primarily floor squeaking. Should I try placing noise proof styrofoam along walls and ceilings with velcro? Advice sincerely welcome!
goofyfoot

Showing 1 response by ekwisnek

The noise generated by appliances such as a compressor in a refrigerator or the spray nozzle of a dishwasher resides well above the bass regions, and good old absorption and isolation is the key here. The first thing you should do, as suggested above, is mechanically isolate the refrigerator from the floor. Just as you would decouple your TT, you don't want the vibrations of the refrigerator to interact with the floor and walls translating into noise. Many times, this alone is enough to satisfy. If not, I would try free-standing absorption in your listening room with an air gap between the kitchen wall and the absoptive panels.

The creeking floor is the hardest... That would certainly require intervention and a mechanical fix from the landlord!