Noise proofing

Speaking as both a bass player and former recording studio owner/builder, no. Bass is usually structurally-borne noise. Bass frequencies carry ~10x the energy of midrange frequencies and aren't treatable by things like acoustic insulation except in deep, specially designed bass traps.

I used to have a loft two floors under a NYC after-hours club so I've got a bit of experience with your problem. The owner was cooperative (he had no choice -- his club was illegal). I fixed the problem by building a plywood platform with vibration isolators as feet. He had mammoth speakers sitting on the floor so your situation is a lot easier, possibly as easy as just getting him to move the speakers off the floor.

If that doesn't work, you can pick up vibration isolation mats from a vibration control supplier like

Steve Manes Brooklyn, NY

So write a maximum noise level (in decibels) into the lease, as any owner/co-occupier can do.

Next you want weight. Heavy things (drywall lead sheets etc.) block sound well.

You also want to prevent any direct solid connections. Stagger wall studs or use special isolation devices to keep the sound from traveling through the wall (remember the two cans on a string (well wire actuarially worked) you want to break the wire).

Filling in wall cavities with sound absorbing materials (accustical fiberglass bats) will do a little.

Point source control (special absorption material) at the source of the sound will also help.

try asking your neighbor politely to turn it down.

-a|ex

It's "bass". Are you talking about aparments or detached houses? You can read "Guide to High End Audio" by Harley, which addresses some of these issues.

Let me know if this helps and we can go from there. You haven't described your exact situation

Apart from dealing with the neighbors, is there anything that can be done to combat the low base from stereos. Do noise reducing batts have any effect? I think having your own music playing quietly may help. John

Cheapest solution - Contact you local police department and ask what the noise regulations are. If the neighbors are violating the ordinance, call the cops (non 911 number), and ask them to come out. The neighbors won't know who called (unless they have a friend at the police department).