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sound proof floor - practical examples?

hello. i am in a condo on the top floor, it has decent sound proofing but was built in 2000 or 2001. i've read up on sound proofing, preventing my stereo sound from being too loud downstairs, but i'm wondering if anyone has an practical examples where it helped or didn't help.

for example i was thinking of 2.0lb/ft MLV and closed cell foam under carpet pad and carpet to help me turn up my volume a little. right now i'll pop in jazz or vocal, classical and get anywhere from 40db (which is pretty much silence in my space) to 77db peaks. i'd like to go a little more than that, 88db peaks maybe?

thanks
g19276
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
You want a lot of mass under the speaker.
I used a concret patio slab, 2" thick and 24" around. about 90 pounds each up on tiptoes over the carpet. then the speaker base stuck on that when I had Infinity RSIIA speakers.
The extra mass of the concrete really keeps any cabinet vibrations out of the floor. and helps dampen the floor in front of the speakers too. so the woofer first reflection makes less of a problem into the floor too.
I painted my slabs black.

Another means is use Magnepans. they have good sound but tend to not shove bass into the walls or through the floor.
bojack
539 posts
 
Yep. Same here. I have my stands on spikes and on painted black concrete slabs (14X14). Works very well.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Lead is the answer, but it could be hazardous to your health.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
I've found that not everything drains vibrations the same so there's going to be some feedback into the speaker. Different surfaces will or can make a speaker sound brighter or duller than what you'd like.

Don't be afraid to experiment with footers, spikes, discs for the spikes, wood, granite, concrete, etc. Eventually, some combinatin will work best for you.

I've read somewhere about some type of rubber layer (not that thick) that lies under the padding that works wonders to quell sound. Good luck.

All the best,
Nonoise
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