I've been curious about insulation myself, especially since my place is an older historic home with thin walls. From what I've read, sound-blocking insulation can significantly reduce mid-to-high frequency noises, but deep bass vibrations are notoriously tricky...might still be worth exploring though.
Yeah, totally agree about the bass being a pain...my neighbors love their home theater setup, and no insulation has fully stopped those low-end rumbles yet. But honestly, even just cutting down the regular conversations, TV chatter, or footsteps makes a huge difference in day-to-day sanity. Plus, if you're already thinking about insulation for an older home, might as well get the sound-blocking stuff—two birds, one stone, right? Worst case, you'll at least dull the karaoke nights next door...
"Worst case, you'll at least dull the karaoke nights next door..."
Haha, exactly. I've done a few insulation projects myself, and while nothing completely kills that deep bass (trust me, I've tried...), the difference in everyday noise is pretty noticeable. If you're tackling it yourself, just remember to seal up any gaps or cracks around outlets and windows—sound loves sneaking through those tiny openings. Even if your neighbors still belt out their favorite hits, it'll sound more like background music than front-row seats at a concert.
I've had mixed results myself. Did a full insulation job in my last apartment because the upstairs neighbors apparently had a bowling alley installed (or at least that's what it sounded like...). Like you said, sealing gaps around outlets and windows made a big difference for regular conversations and TV noise. But the bass from music or heavy footsteps still managed to come through, just muffled enough to be tolerable.
"Even if your neighbors still belt out their favorite hits, it'll sound more like background music than front-row seats at a concert."
That's pretty much spot-on. It won't silence everything completely, but it definitely takes the edge off. Curious if anyone's tried adding mass-loaded vinyl or acoustic panels on top of insulation? I've heard mixed things about whether they're worth the extra cost and effort.
I went the mass-loaded vinyl route once when I had neighbors who apparently thought midnight was prime karaoke hour. Honestly, it helped a bit more with the bass and deeper sounds than insulation alone, but it wasn't a miracle cure. Acoustic panels seemed better suited for echo reduction inside rooms rather than blocking external noise. Still, every little bit counts when you're desperate for sleep... I'd say it's worth trying if you can swing the cost and hassle.
