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So you can hear your neighbor playing music!!!

75.156.146.172

Posted by EngHelp on April 7, 2010 at 19:44:21

Sure it can be bothersome. But How much does it interfere with your listening experience?

Most who live in apartments (and houses) have experienced neighbor useing their stereo. Then you play your own music, and simply disregard this noise. But at what level will this interfere with your music?

I believe many have experienced this. So I created "virtual neighbor" in my living room, and try to hear when I cannot tolerate her/him no more.

First I establisshed my listening level to be comfortable. It is about 80dB. Every day this level may change, but today turned up to be this. Song played is by Dire Straits "Sultains of Swing".

Now, lets create a "neighbor". They play the same song, but filter is used for anything above 90Hz, and they are delayed by 10s. It really sounds like neighbor, but still in my room. Lets assume this is close enough to what one would experience.

I imported this two tracks into audio software. Now, the "neighbor" plays alone at:

50dB, I think I can tolerate this "forever".
55dB, hm it's getting noticable.
60dB, if this continues every day, I think I may complain.
65dB, they would get a note on the door within a month.
70dB, I would tolerate one party a week.
75dB, they would receive complaint within 1/2h.
80dB, I will allow two songs before I join the party LOL.

So now I counteract with my music. I play at 80dB, and they do at:

50dB, I do not hear them at all.
55dB, I do not hear them at all.
60dB, I think I hear them, but not sure.
65dB, I hear them, but no problem.
70dB, I need to turn up.
75dB, I will turn up to 85dB, and post them a note for sure.
80dB, I cannot listen. Not tolerable at all! I will show up with bottle of vodka at their door.

This is my experience with my "virtual" neighbor.

Do you have real experience with real neighbor? Did you measure the noise? What did you find you can or cannot tolerate?

Thank you.

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Schiit Audio

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