Is a sub just going to annoy the neighbours?

[Pikman]

Just set up a new system at home as in my sig minus the sub as we haven't taken delivery yet. After running the Audyssey setup this morning, things are far improved from straight out of the box as expected and everything sounds great.

I am a little worried about our neighbours though, even on low volumes there is bags of bass (at the right times, not constantly) and I'm really not sure if a sub will be overkill and just create angry neighbours? [🙁]

Not really sure what to do now, as I have already ordered a BK Gemini2 [:$]

Will a sub just add even deeper tones and shake the room (and next door) to bits? We have neighbours on one side (and they are just about to have their 2nd baby) so I want to be considerate...

 

[Lee H]

If you have it, you might want to turn the Dynamic EQ off. It'll be adding bass at low volumes

 

[Anonymous]

Have a look for a "night" mode or similar it will even out the difference between the high volume and low volume parts of the film.

 

[professorhat]

There are a few options. Easiest would be just to not have it switched on (or turn the levels for the sub right down) at times when you think it may disturb. Also, you could look into getting an Auralex SubDude which minimises the vibrations of the bass from travelling through the floor and walls (and should improve the sound to boot). I have something similar in my flat and it's helped reduce the unwanted travel of bass through the walls.

 

[Pikman]

OK, so its worth going with the sub and isolating if necessary by the sounds of it.

Can't imagine how good it will sound, totally awesome already.

 

[Tom Moreno]

professorhat:
Also, you could look into getting an Auralex SubDude which minimises the vibrations of the bass from travelling through the floor and walls (and should improve the sound to boot).

I've got one of these and it works brilliantly. I bought it when we moved into our current house. The lounge in this house is upstairs on the first floor and when I first set up the system it was very boomy and uncontrolled and in any room other than the lounge it was just loud rumble all the time. After installing the SubDude you no longer hear the sub in the other rooms and the sound in the lounge is so much better and controlled.

 

[Pikman]

That sounds really promising!

 

[Anonymous]

Good isolation will really improve your bass as well as reduce the vibration of the floor so better for the neighbours. Anything from halved squash balls to Black Ravioli Big Foot depending on budget.

 

[John Duncan]

Pikman:Is a sub just going to annoy the neighbours?

Yes.

 

[DandyCobalt]

If you try a music/studio kit company like studiospares.com, they sell anti-vibration mats for using under amplifiers/speakers etc for about a fifth of the price of a Subdude (they sell Auralex products too).

Music studios have similar issues with isolating loud speakers, drum kits etc.

Worth trying the £10 option first?