Need help with subwoofer placement

[ryanbatc]

Ok, so here's the deal, normally one would place a subwoofer where it creates the best effect.

However, today, while I was at work, some jerk guy comes stomping over to our door (we live in an apartment) like a little kid, pounds on it, and yells to my wife's face, saying how "all he wants is peace and quiet after he comes home at 2PM"



My wife had some nice music on with the sub turned almost all the way down. she showed me the level when I got home today and I gotta say, it was, IMHO a non-event. The sound and the bass was not loud and no walls were rattling. The guy yelled swear words and everything, and we are very nice people, so of course she apologized.

Anyway the guy demanded we turn off the bass completely or he'd complain to management. I said to my wife "Let him!" I'm still trying to figure out if our apartments have quiet hours or not. Don't forget this was 2PM in the fricken day!!! LOL!

ANYWAY, since this is the computer lab, I was wondering if there is a better place to put my sub so it won't get to the next apartment over... I have Logitech Z-680 5.1 system, the sub is 280watt RMS by itself, but seriously folks, it is quiet when turned almost all the way down.

right now the sub is placed very near the far wall (opposite from the guy's wall) but indeed it is near the wall, like maybe a foot or less. Is there somewhere I can put it where my wife and I can FRICKEN enjoy a movie in the afternoon with A LITTLE bass still, and not upset the neighbor moron too much?

Thanks for any tips!!!!

[minfootball]

2 ideas

other side of room aimed at that wall

or if u dont mind loosing some of the sound quality just face it into the center of the room

if its still a problem try soundproffing that wall

[ryanbatc]

2 ideas

other side of room aimed at that wall

or if u dont mind loosing some of the sound quality just face it into the center of the room

if its still a problem try soundproffing that wall

sound proofing outa the question (apartment)

And let me clarify that the physical sub is already opposite the wall nearest his apartment room.

When you mean aim it, do you mean aim the main part where the speaker mesh is, or aim that little hole where the air comes out from?

[mapes]

I think the best idea is to get it off of the floor. Thats how the low frequency is prolly getting to him. Put it on top of a mouse pad on top of a milk crate. Try it at least.

[drunken_chef]

unless you spend thousands of dollars there is no way that any sound proofing will help at all at the frequencies that the sub operates at.

believe it or not, your sub might be louder in your neighbors place than it is in yours. standing waves are the problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave

IMO you will get the best results by locating the sub at your listening position. you might have to experiment with speaker polarity to get the best phase match. I used to build costum loudspeakers. that guy would have hated to have me as a neighbor

[-IRC-MIKE]

You can also put your subwoofer inside of the bottom part of an entertainment center and place some soundproof padding on the backside of the cabinet where the back is against the wall. This will direct the sound outward and still have the same effects as if you had it up against a soundproofed wall. You can get some DynaMat to do this with. You will notice a big difference, as well. I had the same problem on a concrete floor and this solved my problem. Basically you want to do like mentioned above and get the sub off the floor. Placing it on something hollow like the inside of an entertainment center will suffice. Then soundproofing the back will be better than spending a ton on soundproofing walls and such... and in your case not possible. You can even go as far as to soundproof the inside of the entertainment system and the cabinet doors, and then open the doors only when you have it turned on.

[WalkinTarget]

I invested in a nice set of Logitech Z-5300 5.1 speakers and the one 'complaint' about the speakers is that the sub is too overpowering. At 100 watts, it does indeed cause dishes in the pantry on the opposite side of the wall to vibrate.

Sad thing is, I game exclusively with headphones, as I'd wake up the kids, so the only time I'm actually using these things is on a weekend when the wife and kids are out and about. Everything has a certain frequency that makes it resonate, and you can be humming and rattle your own teeth with a certain frequency .. it doesn't take a lot of noise to do it, just hit the right note.

For reference, hum along to the guitar solo at the end of Nirvana's 'The Man Who Sold the World' ... that song always rattles my teeth.

[Nomadicus]

unless you spend thousands of dollars there is no way that any sound proofing will help at all at the frequencies that the sub operates at.

believe it or not, your sub might be louder in your neighbors place than it is in yours. standing waves are the problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave

IMO you will get the best results by locating the sub at your listening position. you might have to experiment with speaker polarity to get the best phase match. I used to build costum loudspeakers. that guy would have hated to have me as a neighbor

chef is spot on.

I have a sub that goes down to 11Hz. With a freq generator, I can literally walk in and out of the standing waves; quite an odd experience. There is no practical way to stop this from happening.

> "And let me clarify that the physical sub is already opposite the wall nearest his apartment room."
Reverse logic: If no luck yet, try moving it to the wall nearest his apartment. Standing waves are many feet long . . .