Hey guys I just got my MFW-15 from UPS after surviving Ike here in Houston and I'm super excited! But then I had my first problem with a neighbor. I live in a apartment complex on the 4th floor and my neighbor below me came up to tell me the sound had been too loud. My question:

What can I do to lessen the effect of my neighbor below me feeling the force of my system? The sub is touching the floor right now with no feet on a fake wood floor. I also have a turkish rug on the floor in front of it.

I'm thinking about getting a Buttkicker LFE and also wondered if you need to put that on rubber risers to keep it from disturbing the neighbors as well. Nothing from the people on the left and right of me yet!

Look into the Auralex Subdude or Gramma, they both work great. A lot of forum members use these products and rave about them :).

http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_subdude/subdude.asp

Hey guys I just got my MFW-15 from UPS after surviving Ike here in Houston and I'm super excited! But then I had my first problem with a neighbor. I live in a apartment complex on the 4th floor and my neighbor below me came up to tell me the sound had been too loud. My question:

What can I do to lessen the effect of my neighbor below me feeling the force of my system? The sub is touching the floor right now with no feet on a fake wood floor. I also have a turkish rug on the floor in front of it.

I'm thinking about getting a Buttkicker LFE and also wondered if you need to put that on rubber risers to keep it from disturbing the neighbors as well. Nothing from the people on the left and right of me yet!

You can try the subdude, but you will still have to be careful with your volume. Unfortunately, low frequencies travels really well through walls and floors.

Well.. I'm not sure that is a sub that is going to mix well with apartment dwelling. :)

Well.. I'm not sure that is a sub that is going to mix well with apartment dwelling. :)

I have to agree. I have my MFW-15 on an Auralex Great Gramma to help isolate the sub from shaking the framing of the room so much, and it's helped to improve the slam of the sub within the room. However, we had some friends over to watch some movies, with the kids upstairs in the family room watching Toy Story II on the 5.1 system, and the adults watching Batman Begins in the basement 7.1+1 system (an Outlaw Audio LFM-1 in addition to the MFW-15). Our friends' kids were very concerned about how much the floors were shaking upstairs. This is in a 3,000 sq. ft. ranch-style home with a full (3,000 sq. ft.) basement, and the rooms are on opposite ends of the house. The theater isn't sound-proofed, since it's still in its last "temporary" room before we finish the basement, but still, that's a lot of foundation-shaking power.

Apartment and MWF-15.....

thats funny....:D

my neighbour told me not only can he hear my dual mfw15's, but the water in his toilet bowl vibrates with all my doors closed and his doors closed. luckily he's a good friend of mine...but the other neighbour..i'm not so sure. i'm sure i'll hear from her soon though. ROTFL

Apartment and MWF-15.....

thats funny....:D

:D How bout this, top floor of my apartment above my manager,Mains with 12's Surrounds with 12's, big center channel, a hsu vtf3.3 turbo and a mbm-12. In a pretty small room, and I listen to everything at reference. Everyone I have over has a scared look on their face.Then when the movie/song is over most say, " I cant believe you haven't been evicted yet".:D subs and apartment living are doable. :D Just respect your neighbors and you'll be cool.:D:eek::cool:

:D How bout this, top floor of my apartment above my manager,Mains with 12's Surrounds with 12's, big center channel, a hsu vtf3.3 turbo and a mbm-12. In a pretty small room, and I listen to everything at reference. Everyone I have over has a scared look on their face.Then when the movie/song is over most say, " I cant believe you haven't been evicted yet".:D subs and apartment living are doable. :D Just respect your neighbors and you'll be cool.:D:eek::cool:

Is there something you did for them that made them not hate you?

Does anyone know some good threads or resources for doing a little sound isolation in an apartment? Surely I'm not the only one who has ever needed this :) .

Thanks for all the replys! Those subdude things are sold out at big river at the moment.

Is there something you did for them that made them not hate you?

Does anyone know some good threads or resources for doing a little sound isolation in an apartment? Surely I'm not the only one who has ever needed this :) .

Thanks for all the replys! Those subdude things are sold out at big river at the moment.

Check Sweetwater.com, Guitar Center, Fullcompass.com, or zzounds.com. Any of them should have one for you. I have one at my house :)

Apartment and MWF-15.....

thats funny....:D

That's was my first reaction too.:)

Is there something you did for them that made them not hate you?

Does anyone know some good threads or resources for doing a little sound isolation in an apartment? Surely I'm not the only one who has ever needed this :) .

:D Know your neighbors schedule. I'm lucky since my manager constantly goes out. She has never complained. My neighbors work alot.:D And I turn it down by 11pm. :D

You can try and create a sound proof room, but imho it would not be worth the money since it can get very expensive and the really low frequencies just go through everything.:D Once you have such a capable sub that can do over 100db@20hz its just gonna travel. In my apartment i discovered that When a song like "bass i love you" has infrasonics peaks at around 100db at my listening chair, It hits 116db on the digital radioshack meters in my closet that is about 35feet away.:D(not max output numbers by the way) It is about 16db's or more louder in the closet 35 feet away,between 12hz-20hz.:eek:You never know exactly what the neighbor will hear unless you play some music or some tones and go to your neighbors place and hear what they hear.:cool: It feels scary in that closet. It makes me want to place a sub in that closet and cross it over at 25hz lol.

Search the sub forum and you'll find a hundred threads on this topic over the past few years, and the answer hasn't gotten any easier. Apartments and subs (especially the ones we buy--lol) just don't mix all that well. I did ok when living in NYC, since our apartment building was built well, and had good concrete floors and walls. A lesser constructed building with thin walls, etc. just won't stop the bass from travelling. Save for spending a ton of money on soundproofing, the subdude is likely the best you'll do for not a lot of money, but it won't solve the whole problem. I'm much happier in our house now--I can blast away with impunity.

Well, with my MFW's playing movies downstairs, I can feel my hardwood floors upstairs (with sheetrock between them) flexing.

Sooo, good luck with that. ;)

:D Basically your gonna have to talk to your neighbors and find out when they are not home,so you can enjoy your beast.

What size subdude do I need for the MFW-15? the 15x15 or a larger one? Thanks

The GRAMMA would work with the MFW-15. The sub will hang off the sides a little but as long as you aren't using the sub feet you should be fine.

At reference levels how loud do you think it would be for neighbors in a end unit townhouse with no connecting walls to the neighbors walls in the listening room

At reference levels how loud do you think it would be for neighbors in a end unit townhouse with no connecting walls to the neighbors walls in the listening room

Loud enough to annoy the hell out of them. You'd be better off just inviting them to watch every movie with you.

So you don't think I need a Great Gamma? I'm not completely sure all the factors that are at play to keep the sound from going into the floor.

Yeah, the MFW-15 is on my christmas list this year, and i live on the second floor of an apartment building. The lady below already complains that we "stomp", so she's gonna love it when this guy moves in.

I'll just have to go downstairs and invite them every time i watch a movie. lol

Yeah, the MFW-15 is on my christmas list this year, and i live on the second floor of an apartment building. The lady below already complains that we "stomp", so she's gonna love it when this guy moves in.

I'll just have to go downstairs and invite them every time i watch a movie. lol

Yeah that isn't a good sign. I have been lucky in my apartment, no complaints but also I'm on the ground floor.

Back in the day when I lived in an apartment, I had a def tech sub.
And I found that this direct approach was best.

When they come over to complain, tell them to shut thier effin mouth before you punch them in the face , and tell them if they call the cops, you'll flatten thier tires. Then you will never have to worry about inviting them over.

This approach works best!

Please tell me you actually did that! LOL

Yeah if i did that to my neighbors, they'd probably sue me. I'm surrounded by a lot of young rich business people.

Yes I did a few times. I lived upstairs over the leasing office so that wasnt a problem. But the upstairs neighbors apt. was the problem. No sub dude was going to save them. Now that im older I feel bad for the way I treated them.

I had 4 neighbors in 3 years. So I can attest to this approach as it had grown men cowering back to thier apt. so traumitized that they would not want to
repeat the encounter. I have a house now, but a bigger sub too. No one complains now but if they do......

First off, still wondering if I need a Great Gramma or a regular.

Also, mountainbiker, where are you located and how big are you? I'm thinking that wouldn't fly here in Texas. They are either going to swing first or shoot you. But I guess if your the size of an offensive lineman that might change things :) . I would have felt guilty intimidating my skinny blonde female neighbor...

The GRAMMA would work with the MFW-15. The sub will hang off the sides a little but as long as you aren't using the sub feet you should be fine.

While we're on the subject... I'm looking into a GRAMMA for my inbound eD A2-300, which is a downfiring sub. Are you supposed to use the feet (spikes or hourglass) on the GRAMMA, or take them off and let the cabinet sit on the pad directly?

This might sound counter-intuitive, but I would try to get the most bass I could at the listening postion. Two methods for the most bass would be either in a corner, or near-field. Try it close to you in a corner if possible. By doing this, you maximize the bass at the listening position, giving you the ability to calibrate the sub to a lower level, which should help with the amout of bass leaking out of you walls.

Try some acoustic treatments and other ideas... yes I know your in an apartment, but you never know ...

Sound Treatments and Acoustics

Acoustic Treatment and Design for Recording Studios and Listening Rooms by Ethan Winer (http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html)
Audioholics - Introduction to Acoustics (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/introduction-to-acoustics)
Audioholics - DIY Absorbers for the Less-than-Handy Man (http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/do-it-yourself-diy-topics/diy-absorbers-for-the-less-than-handy-man-part-1)
Audioholics - Acoustical Measurements - What are They? (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/acoustical-measurements-what-are-they/)
Audioholics - A Guide to Sound Isolation and Noise Control (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/a-guide-to-sound-isolation-and-noise-control)
Audioholics - Room Acoustics: Isolation & Noise Control (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/room-acoustics-isolation-noise-control)
Audioholics - Reducing HVAC Noise in Theater Rooms (http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/do-it-yourself-diy-topics/reducing-hvac-noise-in-theater-rooms)
Audioholics - Early Reflections in Home Theaters: A Different Perspective (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/early-reflections-in-home-theaters-a-different-perspective)
Audioholics - Building Great Bass Response In Your Home Theater (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/building-great-bass-response-in-your-home-theater)
Audioholics - Audyssey Labs' MultEQ (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/audyssey-labs-multeq)
Audioholics - The Perfect Room? (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/the-perfect-room)
Audioholics - Room Acoustics: Acoustic Treatments (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/room-acoustics-acoustic-treatments)
Audioholics - Acoustics 101 Course by John Dahl of THX (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/acoustics-101-course-by-john-dahl-of-thx)
Audioholics - Acoustics Facts and Fiction by Ethan Winer (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/acoustics-facts-and-fiction)
Audioholics - Bass Traps - Not Just for Fisherman! by Ethan Winer (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/bass-traps-not-just-for-fisherman)
Audioholics - Early Reflections in Home Theaters: A Different Perspective (http://www.audioholics.com/education/acoustics-principles/early-reflections-in-home-theaters-a-different-perspective)
AVS - Acoustical Treatments Master Thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=255432)
AVS - Video On Cutting Rigid Fiberglass for Bass Traps (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=700442)
HT HiFi - Acoustical Room Treatment: A Survey of Methods and Materials (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-article-acoustic-treatment-methods-and-materials-12-2004-part-1.html)
Loudspeakers and Rooms - Working Together by Floyd E. Toole from Harman (http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/Loudspeakers%20and%20Rooms%20-%20Working%20Together.pdf)
Maximizing Loudspeaker Performance In Rooms by Floyd E. Toole from Harman (http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/MaximizingLoudspeaker.pdf)
Science in the Service of Art by Floyd E. Toole from Harman (http://www.harmanaudio.com/all_about_audio/audio_art_science.pdf)


Suppliers

ATS Acoustics - Sound Absorption and Acoustical Panel FAQ's (http://www.atsacoustics.com/page--Acoustic-Panels-FAQs--faq.html)
Auralex SubDude (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SubDude/)
Bob Gold's Absorption Coefficients (http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm)
Jon Risch's DIY Acoustic Treatments (http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/a1.htm)
GIK Acoustics - Acoustics Primer - Some Basics On Acoustics (http://www.gikacoustics.com/)
Green Glue (http://www.greengluecompany.com/)
Owens Corning Rigid Fiberglass 700 Series Insulation (http://www.owenscorning.com/comminsul/products.asp?product=1)
Quiet Rock - THX Certified Drywall (http://quietsolution.com/html/theaters.html?gclid=CK2q7vCskosCFSWHPgodLSbvXQ)
Ready Acoustics - Acoustical Primer (http://www.readyacoustics.com/index.php?go=acoustics-advice.acoustics-primer)
Real Traps - Acoustic Treatment Overview (http://www.realtraps.com/)
Sensible Sound Solutions (http://sensiblesoundsolutions.com/)
Sonopan Acoustics (http://www.materiauxspecl.com/en/acoustic.html)

Another poster already brought it up, but I'll reiterate...there are no easy, inexpensive solutions here. You can minimize it with a Subdude, for example, but you'll still have transfer issues if the sub is at thumping volume, even near field. You'll need mass to cut down on the rest of the low end stuff.

The suggestions about making friends with your neighbors may be the most practical ones...

Frank

I say cut down on the bass and get yourself some bass shakers.

I like it when my sub shakes things up.
That's like half of the fun. :D

So I ran by a Guitar Center tonight because another store told me this particular store had a Gramma in stock. I get there right before they close and a guy goes to check in the back for me. He comes back with a GREAT GRAMMA instead of a GRAMMA. I tell him its the wrong one and he scans it and basically decides that they sent them the wrong one and that I can just have it for $50!!! Its 80-100 most places and I got a Great Gamma for $50! :):eek: Its very nice that my sub doesn't hang off the side.

Also, I do have Pro Bass Shakers on my couch. Is it important to get some kind of rubber feet so that my shakers don't shake my neighbors stuff too?

Also, I do have Pro Bass Shakers on my couch. Is it important to get some kind of rubber feet so that my shakers don't shake my neighbors stuff too?

Isolation feet will also help with the tactile sensation.

John

Isolators (http://www.buttkickergear.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=23)

More Isolators (http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_232.html)

Thanks John! I have a three person wide pull out couch. Do you think that Buttkicker RI-K28-1 isolaters would work well? Or how about two per leg? There are just four large wooden legs on the couch.

I saw the more heavy duty ones, but I don't I want my couch lifted too much more off the ground. Thanks a lot!

Thanks John! I have a three person wide pull out couch. Do you think that Buttkicker RI-K28-1 isolaters would work well? Or how about two per leg? There are just four large wooden legs on the couch.

I saw the more heavy duty ones, but I don't I want my couch lifted too much more off the ground. Thanks a lot!

Here is another option. These are 2-1/2" W x 1" H

TI-100 Round Natural Rubber Foot (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-876)

I think I would use one of those per foot before using 2 of the RI-K28

They are 1" larger in diameter and only 1/4" taller. The RI-K28-1 is
1.5" W x .725" T

I have both in front of me and they seem to be the same firmness.

John

For a pull out couch that weighs 100+ pounds plus up to 3 people sitting on the couch, don't I need isolaters for up to say 700 pounds? Am I misunderstanding this? Thanks

For a pull out couch that weighs 100+ pounds plus up to 3 people sitting on the couch, don't I need isolaters for up to say 700 pounds? Am I misunderstanding this? Thanks

I suggested those because you mentioned... "but I don't I want my couch lifted too much more off the ground."

How to Determine How Many Isolators You Will Need (http://thebuttkicker.com/support/faq.htm#howmanyiso)

"Isolators come in different weight capacities.

All isolators are designed to be partially compressed in application and therefore, numerous models are made with varying weight specifications. This specification (, RDB-120, RDB-220 RDB-375)indicates the amount of weight (in lbs.) that each isolator is designed to support (per isolator) for greatest efficiency.

Calculate the total weight to be carried by the isolator, including platform, chairs and people. Divide this weight by the total number of isolator feet to be used (i.e. a minimum of 3, a usual number of 4, more when necessary). This will give you the weight per isolator. Pick the isolator model closest to your calculated weight"

Could you remove the wooden legs and bolt 4 Kinetic RDB series isolators to the bottom frame?

John

the 4 legs are probably 4 inches in diameter and don't come off. That is why I think I may get 8 of the round isolaters from parts express that hold 100 pounds each. I think that will work better than 4 of the higher capacity ones that come to a point. Thanks for all the help.

First off, still wondering if I need a Great Gramma or a regular.

Also, mountainbiker, where are you located and how big are you? I'm thinking that wouldn't fly here in Texas. They are either going to swing first or shoot you. But I guess if your the size of an offensive lineman that might change things :) . I would have felt guilty intimidating my skinny blonde female neighbor...

Is this neighbor Hot? :)

At reference levels how loud do you think it would be for neighbors in a end unit townhouse with no connecting walls to the neighbors walls in the listening room

It can never be too loud! :D

Back in the day when I lived in an apartment, I had a def tech sub.
And I found that this direct approach was best.

When they come over to complain, tell them to shut thier effin mouth before you punch them in the face , and tell them if they call the cops, you'll flatten thier tires. Then you will never have to worry about inviting them over.

This approach works best!

Hilarious!!!!! :p

the 4 legs are probably 4 inches in diameter and don't come off. That is why I think I may get 8 of the round isolaters from parts express that hold 100 pounds each. I think that will work better than 4 of the higher capacity ones that come to a point. Thanks for all the help.

jmgag03,

I see. How were you planning on using a pair of the 2.5" diameter isolators per one 4" diameter leg?

John

Our family business is rubber and vibration isolation and we sell those pieces. They are sold to companies trying to isolate motors and equipment.

The rule of thumb is that your should divide the total weight of the item you are isolating (Sofa 150lbs + (4 (people) x 150 lbs (Guess average weight)) = 750 lbs dived by 6 (the number of mounts) = 125lbs the load rating for each mount.

Don't over think this. If you go to far one way or the other you will find an advirse effect. It's all about weight and frquency.

LOL Engine mounts... I am not kidding look in your car you may find something similar.

At reference levels how loud do you think it would be for neighbors in a end unit townhouse with no connecting walls to the neighbors walls in the listening room
If the walls are made of concrete and the sub is isolated off the floor and the door to the listening room is closed, it is possible they won't hear anything. Concrete does a very good job of blocking airborne sound (but it will transmit mechanical sound for a long distance, so it is important to ensure the sub is not in contact with the floor).

Hey guys I just got my MFW-15 from UPS after surviving Ike here in Houston and I'm super excited! But then I had my first problem with a neighbor. I live in a apartment complex on the 4th floor and my neighbor below me came up to tell me the sound had been too loud. My question:

What can I do to lessen the effect of my neighbor below me feeling the force of my system? The sub is touching the floor right now with no feet on a fake wood floor. I also have a turkish rug on the floor in front of it.

I'm thinking about getting a Buttkicker LFE and also wondered if you need to put that on rubber risers to keep it from disturbing the neighbors as well. Nothing from the people on the left and right of me yet!

You can do one of two things, sell it or prepare yourself for alot of problems that will be coming your way.

The people on the left side and right side of you can hear it as well and it will only be a matter of time before everyone around your unit starts saying something and management will have to act. Trust me, I own a 35 unit complex and I deal with this myself. The management/owners have to consider the welfare of all the tenants.

It won't go your way. Have your moving money ready because the owners will eventually evict you if you do not comply.

Strictly a personal opinion.

What can I do to lessen the effect of my neighbor below me feeling the force of my system? The sub is touching the floor right now with no feet on a fake wood floor. I also have a turkish rug on the floor in front of it.
Move to somewhere where their is no neighbor below you. Or sharing a floor/ceiling above or wall beside you.

Or use headphones.

If your floor/walls don't have concrete in them, shielding the subwoofer from the neighbors is Mission Impossible.