Noise reduction so that the flat below can't hear my speakers?

Dracata

Dracata

Dracata

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Hi guys,

Does anyone have first hand experience with reducing the sound/vibrations from floorstanding speakers on a wooden/laminate floor?

I have some large floorstanding speakers that I use for everything, and our floor is laminate, but at a recent gathering we had a complaint from the flat below -- any suggestions for minimising the noise transfered downwards?

1) I've read around and heard that people suggest spikes (on casters so they don't damage the floor), people recommend these to "improve" sound, will they also reduce sound passed to the floor?

2) I also read that granite tiles/cutting boards, with rubber feet, are recommended.

Pics:

speaker1.jpg


speaker2.jpg
 
Some form of rubber matting should absorb some of the sound.

Tbh I would just turn down the bass a bit as it is this that will be heard below.

Are there such things as sound proof pads? Basically two sheets of something stuck together with a vacuum inside as that is the only real way to nullify sound.
 
mglover070588 said:
Some form of rubber matting should absorb some of the sound.

Tbh I would just turn down the bass a bit as it is this that will be heard below.

Are there such things as sound proof pads? Basically two sheets of something stuck together with a vacuum inside as that is the only real way to nullify sound.
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Yeah, literally turning down the sound/bass is a no brainer, but if I can shell out £30 or under for something that will help a little bit I don't mind doing that - I don't want to have to change my music listening and film watching habits due to annoyed neighbours :(
 
Dracata said:
Yeah, literally turning down the sound/bass is a no brainer, but if I can shell out £30 or under for something that will help a little bit I don't mind doing that - I don't want to have to change my music listening and film watching habits due to annoyed neighbours :(
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I suppose loud film/tv/music/games will always be an issue when living in a flat:(
 
Sit the speakers on a rubber mat, and sit that rubber mat on a paving slab... had to do the same with a noisy shower pump.. > i've seen someone sit their speakers on 4 squash balls, on a thick slab of stone.. so long as the speakers dont get pushed over squash balls dont actually sound like a bad idea...
 
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Better off switching to a quality set of Bookshelf speakers mounted on the wall (assuming you don't have side neighbours as well as downstairs ones)
 
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Thumbs up for making an effort. Nothing worse than a noisy neighbour.

When you say gathering, was it a one-off? I'd listen at normal levels and keep in communication with them to see if they still hear anything.
 
nutsnut said:
Second squash balls, Cut in half, then granite/wood slab, then speakers.
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Yup. Thats pretty much what I've done. Used marble instead of granite though.

Went to the local memorial maker and got some cut and polished marble from there. It's a bit larger than I wanted @ 3" thick - but wasn't that expensive. I just doubled the number of squash balls I used to 4 per speaker instead of 2 as it was pretty heavy and squished the 4 half balls pretty much.
 
I think trying to stop sound below 80Hz going thru a wall or floor will turn out to be a futile exercise...

I hate to say this but you may have to resort to only turning it up to 11 when the neighbours are on holiday or out! :(

You could also have a HPF at 80Hz, but this will make your floorstanders sound like bookshelves! ;)
 
Sound insulating flooring is fibreglass bonded to the back of chipboard maybe if you had say a square of that with loose fitting frame dropped over the top it might make difference. Layers might work, but I would definitely fit some sort of retaining cord between the wall and top of the speakers.
 
Large foam pads to sit the speakers on may help, but you'll have to be careful as they won't be as sturdy.
 
I had a different but similar problem, my speakers sit on a suspended floor and when cranked up I suffered nasty echo's and booming from the space beneath the floor. To remedy this I purchased two granite chopping boards from the super market and a set on spikes from ebay. I now have a lot less nesty noise from the floor space so I guess less sound must be going down!
 
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