Nieghbor complains about base

[Vancouver]

Hey Guys,
I have a B&W ASW-500 subwoofer. Unfortunately because I will in a loft my one nieghbor always comlains that he hears it. I never have the base turned up very much, but was wondering if there is any thing I can do to play it at as reasonable level, but not have it effect my nieghbor so much.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Shoot the neighbor!

No easy or cheap solution, alas. Low bass travels thru walls, ceilings and floors easily unless they are fairly massive. Unless you can add another layer of drywall to your listening room walls and ceiling which adds mass (the main way to soundproof) I don't know what to suggest.

If the sub is on the floor and the neigbor lives below you, isolating the sub from the floor might help if the cabinet is physically coupling with the floor and rattling his ceiling. So would another layer of subflooring which, again, would add mass.

 

[RLA]

Actually there is a simple solution You can Augment the Subwoofer with a couple of LFE Butt Kickers mounted in your chair this will allow you to turn the Subs LFE down and still maintain some sense of LFE without driving your neighbors crazy I use this solution in Apartments and condos and most people are very satisfied with the result
Cheers
Ray

 

[RLA]

Feel free to e-mail me for more details
Ray

 

[Vancouver]

Hey Ray...thanks for the suggestion and it sounds very interesting. I only have a couple questions about it.

What is LFE butt kicker?

What do you plug them into?

Does the Subwoof no longer output the LFE that the butt kicker picks up?

How much are they?



I dont want ot bug you with email, but this suggestion is very interesting.

 

[RLA]

Hi
here is the link to the site you would use a "Y" splitter at the receivers LFE output one half to the subwoofer that is turned down and one half to the butt kicker amp that would be turned up
http://www.thebuttkicker.com/





(high resolution)

The ButtKicker® LFE (previously named "ButtKicker 2")

The only tactile transducer designed specifically to take advantage of the .1 and LFE channels, the ButtKicker® LFE features extended low frequency response for powerful bass response and special effects.

The ButtKicker LFE (low frequency effects) utilizes a patented magnetic suspension which is different from any other speaker or shaker and can be used couches, theater seating, platforms, and any type of structure. The ButtKicker accurately reproduce the "feeling" range of many natural and man-made sounds, such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, rocket launches, waves, explosions, tornadoes, volcanoes, dinosaurs, sound effects and all styles of music.

Different from other shakers or tactile transducers that use voice coil technology, the ButtKicker is much more powerful, more musical (linear) and offer true infrasonic or low frequency response with their resonant frequency of 9 Hz and range of 5 - 200 Hz.

One ButtKicker LFE will easily replace 2 - 4 or more of the other types of shakers previously available, and perhaps more importantly; it is virtually indestructible and maintenance free. The ButtKicker is used in: Theme park attractions; Specialty theaters; Simulators; Virtual reality machines; Arcade and amusement rides/games; and Custom Home theaters.

If you are looking to delight and electrify yourself and others with an affordable and easy to use solution, now is the time to incorporate the ButtKicker into your design.

We invite you to "Feel what you've been missing!"

What's the Difference Between the ButtKicker LFE and the New ButtKicker Concert?

What's Different from the Original BK1?

ButtKicker 2 Wins CES Innovations Award

Marketing Brochure
Specifications


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ButtKicker LFE Specifications
Dimensions: 5.375" high x 5.5" wide, oval
Frequency Response: 5 - 200 Hz
Weight: 11 lbs., 5 kg.
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
Power Handling: 400 watts min. / 1500 watts max.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


An Overview of the ButtKicker

The ButtKicker is a small, linear motor, which reacts to an audio signal sent by an amplifier. It is similar to a loudspeaker, but instead of moving a cone, and transferring sound waves through the air, it attaches to seats and floors, and sends low frequency sound directly into the listener's body. The effect is amazing.

It takes two senses to perceive full range sound. We hear sound, but we also feel sound, especially low frequency. Traditionally, it takes big speakers, moving tremendous amounts of air, to feel the low frequency of sound. People like loud concerts because they want to feel the sound pressure in their bodies.

The ButtKicker reproduces the feeling range of audio in a more direct way than through air. The perception is actually better and sound pressure disappears. When using headphones, for example, with a ButtKicker, the listener perceives powerful, musically accurate, concert-level audio, but no one else hears anything. The sound is completely isolated to the listener.

This becomes very interesting for music monitoring and recording studios. We have several dozen of the top touring bands this summer using ButtKickers for stage monitoring. The ButtKicker gives them complete control over their mix and sound level, without sacrificing any quality. Most musicians tell us immediately that they hear better and play better with the ButtKicker.

In a recording studio, the ButtKicker allows for low volume, incredible isolation.. and, because the ButtKicker was designed to be musically accurate, to fractions of frequencies, studio engineers are finding that their mixes are coming out tighter, cleaner and better balanced.

For example: I am a music writer/producer and studio musician. I do soundtrack work for various commercial companies and stage show producers, in my own little home studio, using computer with Cubase, Sonar, etc. I always use the ButtKicker to check my mixes.

 

[Vancouver]

well the product does sound amazing and I am going to look into it. Why wouldnt every one with a serious home theater get one of these? Seems like a relativley cheap upgrade.

 

[markw]

400 watts MINIMUM?

1500 watts max? Hoo boy. That's for each unit, right? So, three units would require three separate amplifiers?

 

[Vancouver]

would be interesting to know the cost, but it looks like they make their own amps.

http://www.thebuttkicker.com/buttkicker amplifier_home.html

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey Guys,
I have a B&W ASW-500 subwoofer. Unfortunately because I will in a loft my one nieghbor always comlains that he hears it. I never have the base turned up very much, but was wondering if there is any thing I can do to play it at as reasonable level, but not have it effect my nieghbor so much.

You need to move if you want the sub.
I doubt that shaker will be inaudible as it will carry throught the floor framing. Extra layer of drywall will not help either as you still have the wood frame behind it, the floor and ceiling.

 

[Stupid]

If you can control the Hz's just turn the Hz's up high. The higher the Hz's the less the bass will travel. Also the higher the Hz's, the less volume you will need for the woofer.

 

[RLA]

Hi
you can run 2 Butt-Kickers off of one AMP or if you have an old receiver laying around that has a decent amp section you can use that
The Butt-Kickers are not audible if mounted to the chair frame they transmit there energy through the chair and very little of it reaches the contact points of the floor even if you are on tile floor you can use rubber isolation
cups sold at Home Depot t place under the legs of the chair or sofa
Istallation is pretty straight forward I have some mounted in my recliner
and you can do it your self if you are handy
feel free to contact me for more info

 

[mledwards]

The ButtKicker LFE looks to be an expensive proposition, and the original problem -- isolating LF from the neighbor -- won't be corrected (?) The B-LFE still is generating (according to your post 5-200hz) which will cruize from the furniture into the floor and down to the neighbor. Perhaps you can put the furniture on carpet and rubber feet, but wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to like stick the subwoofer on a pile of pillows (isolate the sub from the floor) and see if it corrects the problem. Then from there, perhaps some Buttkicker Kinetic Rubber isolators on the sub. Also, I woudl recommend moving the sub away from the wall to see if that helps.

 

[JohnA]

Don't forget

there is also the Aura Bass Shakers

found here:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=299-027

 

[Francious70]

I remember seeing those things previewed on The Screen Saves, if anyone else watches that show.

Paul

 

[Vancouver]

I cut two squash balls in half and put each half under a foot of my sub. Moving it away from the wall is not an option unfortunately. Right now its against a brick wall...is that better or worse the puting by drywall....the only person who complains to me is the guy who lives above.

 

[RLA]

The ButtKicker LFE looks to be an expensive proposition, and the original problem -- isolating LF from the neighbor -- won't be corrected (?) The B-LFE still is generating (according to your post 5-200hz) which will cruize from the furniture

You know your right thats why they havent worked in the 20-25 installs I have done in Condo's,Apartments and Townhouses better off defeating the subwoofer and running the speakers at 125Hz I find putting the subwoofers on Big piles of sleeping bags work better than pillows
but heck what do I know

 

[goodman]

Right now, there is a car outside my office window with the bass thumping away, so I can feel your neighbor's pain. Shut the sub off when the neighbor is home and turn it back on when he's not there.

 

[Mr.T]

Or, give your neighbor a nice Christmas present "ear muffs" for indoor and outdoor use.

 

[Redbone]

Hey you have a right to live in your place and enjoy music as well. I was like you when I first moved in, kept everything super quite. Then I realized my divorced neighbor would let his 11 and 14 year old kids run around his house like wild indians knocking things over, yelling, screaming well into the night. It was obvious to me that he did not care about me so why should I return the favor.

You should be able to play your stereo comfortably between the hours of 9am to 10pm. On the weekends anything should go- your neighbor needs to learn that he does not live in a single family home and comprimise is what is needed.