How to block low frequency bass rumbling in a house
Low-frequency bass rumbling and vehicle noise easily penetrate exterior walls, and standard white noise machines cannot mask them because of the different frequency. Soundproofing against this deep noise is nearly impossible without tearing out drywall and spending a significant amount of money, which leaves homeowners desperate for a partial reduction of 10 to 20 decibels just to sleep.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1leaving a note on the carDid this help you?
- 2taking the neighbor to courtDid this help you?
- 3contacting local policeDid this help you?
- 4thicker curtainsDid this help you?
- 5cover noise like a fanDid this help you?
- 6hanging up blanketsDid this help you?
- 7tacking up foam board insulationDid this help you?
- 8disposable foam earplugsDid this help you?
- 9adding a second layer of drywall with green glueDid this help you?
- 10hanging mass loaded vinylDid this help you?
- 11rearranging rooms to sleep towards the back of the houseDid this help you?
- 12Adding blocking and sistering joists in the basementDid this help you?
- 13Getting a structural inspection before requesting project quotesDid this help you?
- 14Obtaining multiple contractor quotes to compare costsDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“It's ruined my sleep and I can't take it anymore.”source ↗
“I gotta try something I don't need total soundproofing; if I can knock it down 10-20 dB maybe I can sleep through it”source ↗
“The flooring makes a lot of noise and vibrates when my next door neighbor walks on the flooring.”source ↗
“It's damn near impossible to sound proof without tearing out drywall and spending a ton of money.”source ↗
“White noise isn't helping at all cuz it's a different frequency.”source ↗
“Thats a tricky one because you share the structure so the fix might need to involve neighbor side too.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 14How to deal with a neighbor playing loud music past quiet hours
- 5What trees can I plant to block road and gate noise?
- 5How to deal with thin walls, broken elevators, and a useless HOA
- 2How to stop low-frequency compressor noise coming through walls and floors
- 2Neighbor mowing lawn too short and damaging the grass