Bass notes are the hardest to block because they come through the floor and walls even at normal listenting levels - if you are on good terms with the neighbors, ask them to elevate the speakers on soundproof foam, get the "subwoofer" off the floor to minimize the resonance, and adjust the bass control to something less loud.

If they refuse to do anything, play a CD of a bagpipe marching band, loudly with the speakers aimed right at the common wall every time you hear the bass. If they complain, just tell them you are trying to drown out their bass with your own music. After 17 repetitions of The Irish Washerwoman" on a bagpipe, they will capitulate.

Of course, before you start a loud music war, you might want to try talking to them, especially if the music is played late at night. Several years ago, I had neighbors who played music and/or TV loud, but because they knew I went to sleep around 11, at 11 each night, the music was turned down very low. They were so considerate that during my finals times, they used headphones and tried not to walk around much so they wouldn't stomp (they lived above me).

~Jordyn

You'll have a much more appropriate tone of voice, and therefore a better chance for success.

Let them prove themselves to be jerks before you assume it for them.

Fortunately, I screen well and haven't had to deal with either sort.

Of course, if you are only a tenant you won't want to do this, but maybe you could talk your landlord into it.

As for the sex issue? Well, after listening to his "company" at the time scream like a banshee for 25 minutes, I walked out on the balconey, clapped as loud as I could, yelled "Encore, Encore". Not another noise that night, the next morning his face was beet red when we met in the hall and I haven't heard a "groan" from his apartment since. ;-)

Actually he's still VERY capable of noisemaking.....we get to hear it every morning when he takes his 30 minute shower. Didn't realize a person could bang around in there that long LOL.

Though, as a woman, I sure would like to know his technique, uh, you know, from the woman's persepective that was screaming like a banshee! hehehehehehe Strictly for scientific education, you know ;-)

just about every really LOUD woman i've ever run into has confessed to me at some point that, well- she was faking, or at least exaggerating the impact of the session.

when a girl is left INCAPABLE of speech- THEN you know you've done a good job.

The one condo beside me has changed owners a few times, along with mostly increased bass and decibel levels. When I see teenagers moving into my complex, my ears start to hurt instantly. Teenagers love loud music.

My next-door-neighbor enjoys playing music with lots of bass. Talking to the person has yielded more rewards that complaining to the condo association.

I highly suspect that the loud neighbor has substance abuse issues. It's a fact of life that many people are dealing with substance abuse issues ( affluent, not-so-affluent, and all income levels ), and when they are high on their substance of choice ( alcohol, drugs, etc. ) they are not aware of the decibel level.

Sadly, the cheapest way to lower the noise level may to pay for your next-door-neighbor's counselling at a substance abuse rehabilitation center. The couple ( wdandrew ) mentioned their on-going problem with loud music. When a person has to be continously reminded to turn the stero down, this person is most likely addicted to a substance.

Sadly too, my loud neighbor thinks I have the problem. No, it's the total reverse. I agree with Talley Sue as these people are the last people to know that a problem exists. I am sure these ego-centered people read a chapter daily in: "I'm Number One." I have seen this neighbor speak at the association meetings and it's obvious that an inflated ego motivates this person. This person has no interest in driving a lowly Honda Civic, or a Kia. "Number One's" tend to drive luxury cars--only the best.

Even if the person was playing Lawrence Welk music too loud, loud music is STILL loud music. Lawrence Welk music may not have a particularly high bass level, but it can still be irritating and annoying to one's ears.
Retaliation is not a good idea. This kind of behavior has the potential to escalate to a level that may require police intervention. I should remind everyone that drugs, alcohol, and the ownership of guns is not a good mix.

In 2005, people in general are under a lot of stress ( family members in the military, financial problems, $2.50 a dollar gallon gas ), and stress causes people to behave in ways that may not fit your idea of acceptable behavior.

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My suggestion, like most real people with experience with this that have commented before me, is to confront your neighbor about the situation in a friendly, neighborly fashion - immediately after the noise occurs. Definitely do this before you contact your HOA, but make a note when the noise occurred and what it consisted of. Make a journal of all of the noise violations. If it develops into a problem, you may want to speak to any neighbors within the vicinity that you think may have heard your noisy neighbors. The more that can attest that there is a problem, the better.

Understand that there are limits to what you can complain about to your HOA - music, tv, etc.. You will probably find that things like 'walking around', 'putting a bag down', or 'taking shoes off', i.e. throwing them across the room, are considered everyday, acceptable noises, so you might be stuck there. Again, that's when reasoning with the neighbor comes into play.

Good luck. I feel for you.

In my unsavoury yet convenient neighbourhood, I have had to resort to other means as anonymity is crucial.

Enjoy.

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The city ordinances do state no loud music, this too Ive told the owners of the park... they still do nothing. In fact its like the one person above said... you make the complaint you are the enemy. They yell whenever Ive called.
Im trying to work from home because I have limited mobility, and just because "Im home all the time" she tells me that I have no life, and am trying to make my neighbors be like me, that Im trying to control them.
Since when is working from home having no life? But oh yeah I forgot, when the music starts playing I CANT work. It incapacitates me.

And what is the deal with ordinances... are they considered laws? I mean... it seems like there is no punishment to fit the crime here. Its like saying, oh you cant do this, but were not going to do anything to stop you.

These people should be getting tickets and eventual arrests with the reporters anonymity intact for their safety.

Is it true that the police charge the owners a fee for everytime they have to come out?

They have been quiet for awhile until recently. They have started again by making their music loud, but now on a daily basis. Today I complained to the apartment manager, but she ignored me and did not tell them to lower their music. The noisy people have new neighbors right beside them, and they too complained but the apt. manager did not tell them to lower their music. This is ridiculous...someone please advise me what to do...This is a hard one because we have a slum lord manager who does not really have strict rules and cannot do their job. I have even complained to the property owners about the mangers....HELP.