Need Advice concerning floor dampening

[Ernest Acosta]

Hello all, is there something I can put under my carpet (besides the usual insulation) that can reduce the sound from my sub-woofer?. I'm in an apartment and want to keep the neighbors happy but as you all know movies have explosions that vary in volume. I'm about to lay carpet down and I've heard about a product called silent step. Does anyone know if this will work as it is designed for placement between studs with air space between the main floor. if I elevate the sub woofer will it make a difference? Will the sound suffer? Anyone care to chime in?

 

[Savant]

A floated floor system is the only way to attenuate most of the structureborne sound from a sub through a floor-ceiling. However, here are some products that might help attenuate a few dB:

ASC
Auralex

I would venture to guess that your neighbors - if they're already complaining - won't be satisfied with the results achieved with either of the above. But sound is subjective. Sometimes a good-faith effort is all it takes for some folks to be less irritated...

FWIW, sonic quality will generally be improved with either of the above. (That's their main function.) Any attenuation of structureborne sound is bonus.

 

[Ernest Acosta]

Savant thank you so much for your input. Well they are not complaining as yet but when I lived in another apartment a sub woofer was the culprit when the men in blue came and knocked on my door. I just moved and want to start off on the right foot. This is when I wished I had a basement so I can crank up the system. The two links look like doable solutions but I will talk with my neighbor and try and get an acceptable level. I'm also thinking of inserting a limiter in the system where the explosions from movies do not go past a certain level. Thanks again.