Is bass in an apartment building not feasible? (Neighbor knocked)

[cuzzin]

I have been living in my apartment for 18 months now, and have had the same setup all along. It's nothing too crazy: mains from Ascend Acoustics, subwoofer from SVS. I had my system calibrated shortly after moving in and have watched all sorts of content since. When I first moved in, I was initially concerned that my system, particularly the subwoofer, might be annoying to my neighbors (I'm on the top floor). However, I have not heard a peep out of anyone in all this time... until last night.

I was watching Terminator: Genisys for the first time when I heard a knock at the door (at the part where

[Show spoiler]Sarah and Kyle are preparing to travel to the future

). It was one of the neighbors from downstairs, asking if I was the guy "watching the movie with the surround sound." It was approaching 11 PM at this point and he explained how he had to be up for work at 6. I apologized and told him I would take care of it. At first, I was just going to turn off the movie and start over the next day at an earlier time, but it was a Redbox, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to watch it in time before being charged for a second day, so instead I just shut off my subwoofer. However, even then, I noticed some pretty decent bass output just from the mains alone, and I was constantly distracted from that point on as to whether I was still bothering the guy. In fact, I think, but I'm not sure, that he may have knocked on my door again, but it was during a big action scene when I thought I heard it, and when I listened more intently, I heard nothing.

But now I'm just all paranoid. I was watching Ash vs Evil Dead tonight, and every time I detected any LFE action, I got concerned. But this was just a Starz broadcast, not a lossless Blu-ray action movie track. I feel like maybe I should go downstairs and visit the guy to maybe work out some ground rules or even to listen to how my system sounds on his end. It's just that he's the first guy to complain in 18 months, which makes me think he's new to the building and probably has more sensitive hearing than the previous tenants. Or maybe he's just more comfortable speaking up. What do y'all think?

[schan1269]

Late night mode.

If your current AVR has it. Use it. If it doesn't, make sure your next one does.

I always set sub "off" and mains large when using late night if late as well.

[Mahatma]

Have the same problem.Don't use sub woofer,but like it loud sometimes.I limit myself to fridays and saturdays for the loud setting,and usually stop before midnight.Weekdays I'd put that limit to 21:00.

Knock on his door,and give him a few beers in the way of an apology.A good rellationship with your neighbours is something I'd work at if I were you.

[Moonlight Shadow]

Get an Onkyo of Denon receiver with Audacity Dynamic Volume. It's a very useful tool if you don't want do disturb neighbors or family members with your movies.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I'm in a basement suite, but this is what I've always had in mind regarding this issue...

Exchange phone numbers with the neighbours (above, below, and beside you). That way you can have a mutual agreement to text one another if it ever gets too loud for any of you. This way they don't feel like they are being inconvenienced since they can just take a couple of seconds to shoot you a text from the comfort of their own home... especially if they are in bed and get woken up! They can get back to sleep quickly and easily without having to get up, get dressed, and come down to you. And then just make sure to keep your phone nearby and visible in case a text comes in. It can be an almost immediate solution for the neighbour (or yourself).

If the neighbours start abusing the texting, have a serious talk about the nature of the number exchange. They can't just expect you to be cometely silent at all times. If it persists, warn them that you can still block their number and have them have to come to your door again.

[omenboy]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I'm in a basement suite, but this is what I've always had in mind regarding this issue...

Exchange phone numbers with the neighbours (above, below, and beside you). That way you can have a mutual agreement to text one another if it ever gets too loud for any of you. This way they don't feel like they are being inconvenienced since they can just take a couple of seconds to shoot you a text from the comfort of their own home... especially if they are in bed and get woken up! They can get back to sleep quickly and easily without having to get up, get dressed, and come down to you. And then just make sure to keep your phone nearby and visible in case a text comes in. It can be an almost immediate solution for the neighbour (or yourself).

If the neighbours start abusing the texting, have a serious talk about the nature of the number exchange. They can't just expect you to be cometely silent at all times. If it persists, warn them that you can still block their number and have them have to come to your door again.

I am all for being a good and considerate neighbor, but giving out his phone number sounds like it would be opening up a serious can of worms that he doesn't need. I wouldn't do it. The only way to prevent neighbors abusing the texting is to not allow it in the first place. Plus it would be extremely annoying if they decided to make actual constant calls and ignored the texting function.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by omenboy

I am all for being a good and considerate neighbor, but giving out his phone number sounds like it would be opening up a serious can of worms that he doesn't need. I wouldn't do it. The only way to prevent neighbors abusing the texting is to not allow it in the first place. Plus it would be extremely annoying if they decided to make actual constant calls and ignored the texting function.

And after one warning about abusing the use of the phone number, the "block number" feature comes into play.

But, I am also in Canada surrounded by other Canadians. We tend to be a lot more reasonable in the types of situations that I am describing.

[MTS]

The people above me are sweet, timid foreign people. I've asked if the noise bothers them and they say they can't hear anything. But I know that's impossible, and I have told them to tell me if it bothers them. I doubt they will, but my own rule is I only watch at reference level or more during daytime hours, and even then I still feel self-conscious about it. Doesn't happen very often, because I don't like watching it loud by myself and it's hard to get people over when we all have so many different schedules.

BTW, to make the experience go well during daytime hours, you have to invest some additional time and money in light control-- whatever you need to make your apartment light proof. Huge difference.

[Travis]

At 9:00, I put headphones on. Can get good detail for less than $200.

I've only had one complaint, Dark Knight Rises, around 10:00. Was really too loud.

I'm guessing the sound carries, more so at night, and no one likes it, but neighbors don't complain. I'm an American living in Taiwan and many people are uncomfortable speaking English to me; my Mandarin stinks.

I'm not out to offend, so headphones are a must. Honestly, the movies sound pretty good. I save loud movies like Terminator: Genisys for weekend afternoons when I want to feel the LOUDS!

[onyxbfly]

The best thing about Terminator Genisys is the soundtrack. The flick itself not so much. But that's neither here nor there.

You may want to invest in http://www.auralex.com/product/subdude-ii/

They absorb/ disrupt the transmissions of bass waves.

HTH

[tezster]

As a rule of thumb, I wouldn't watch anything at a high volume past 10pm on a weekday.

You should also consider getting a buttkicker for your couch/sofa, which will allow you to turn your subwoofer down a notch or two, while improving the tactile feel of bass-heavy movies.

FYI subdude's decouple a sub from the floor, so vibrations don't mechanically transfer from the sub onto the floor and other objects. It does nothing for sound transmitted through the air and through walls/ceilings, which is 99% of what you're neighbours are hearing. A sub that's well designed in the first place shouldn't need one. Having said that, if you want to save some money, you can buy larger, vibration-dampening rubber feet for your SVS sub - most of them have standard 1/4"-20 threaded feet you can replace. I have two SB2000's and I use these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JJ191Z6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o03_s00

[solarrdadd]

I have a 7.1 setup in an apartment, I've been here for 3 years and only got one complaint. at that point it was not so much about the volume, it is that it went beyond the leases "quiet time" which starts at 10pm weekdays. they give you later hours Friday & Saturday nights.

so, what I do is make sure that when watching movies, they end around 9:30-9:45pm and since I never really like them too loud, volume is not a problem. I also don't have my sub gain up very high and I've toned the bass down from it's calibrated level. I'm aware that I don't live alone and I am very respectful of others. I think it's a simple as that.

also, many of us (and they always post it here) that they love movies and music at loud volumes with lots of bass. well, for many folks, it's not possible because your going to get complaints. we have to remember we don't live in these places alone. make some minor adjustments to the volume, sub gain and hours when watching and I think you will be fine with others who live in the building. I also think it will not detract from your movie/tv watching's audio experience.

I've never had a problem since and I host a movie night at least once a month with plenty of bass and oh yeah, I love me some Ash Vs. Evil Dead! Hail to The King Baby!

[Bluyoda]

I agree with the two posters above: I am never loud after 10 p.m..
I guess that was the main problem with your neighbours.
I know my downstairs neighbour goes to sleep at 10 at night, and her bedroom is right below my HT, so I always respect the official hours.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Travis

At 9:00, I put headphones on. Can get good detail for less than $200.

The peace of mind alone is worth the couple hundred bucks and the (relatively minor) inconvenience.

You definitely have to adjust your expectations with headphones (I have yet to hear a pair that can convincingly anchor sound to your screen...they're speakers strapped to your ears and that's just how it is) but decent headphones can sound very, very nice.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by octagon

The peace of mind alone is worth the couple hundred bucks and the (relatively minor) inconvenience.

You definitely have to adjust your expectations with headphones (I have yet to hear a pair that can convincingly anchor sound to your screen...they're speakers strapped to your ears and that's just how it is) but decent headphones can sound very, very nice.

Yep, peace of mind is a must. Hard to enjoy the movie waiting for neighbors or cops to come knocking.

[Ernest Rister]

About six years ago, had my in-laws over to watch Star Trek (they're big into Trek). Didn't have my 7.1 system then...just some old computer speakers with a sub. People below me threw a shot glass at our window.

I had the bastards evicted. Seriously. Called the cops, called the landlord, they got walking papers. I have a 7.1 system now. Never had a complaint since. Still have the shot glass.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

About six years ago, had my in-laws over to watch Star Trek (they're big into Trek). Didn't have my 7.1 system then...just some old computer speakers with a sub. People below me threw a shot glass at our window.

I had the bastards evicted. Seriously. Called the cops, called the landlord, they got walking papers. I have a 7.1 system now. Never had a complaint since. Still have the shot glass.

And do you toast them every time you fire up that bad boy?

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

And do you toast them every time you fire up that bad boy?

Naah...I got Disneyland shot glasses. The one the guy threw at us is bound in leather and has a redneck slogan I'm not too cool with.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Naah...I got Disneyland shot glasses. The one the guy threw at us is bound in leather and has a redneck slogan I'm not too cool with.

all the more reason to toast with it before movie time; it would be a real conversation piece let me tell ya!

[jvonl]

Originally Posted by onyxbfly

The best thing about Terminator Genisys is the soundtrack. The flick itself not so much. But that's neither here nor there.

You may want to invest in http://www.auralex.com/product/subdude-ii/

They absorb/ disrupt the transmissions of bass waves.

HTH

The auralex risers are wonderful! They may not solve the problem completely as far as loudness, but they isolate the tremors (so no glass rattle in your windows, either). The biggest surprise bonus for me was that the subs sounded much better - the sound and force comes at me now instead of being absorbed by the framing and flooring of my house. Well worth the investment, and plans are available if you want to make your own.