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Author Topic: Sound leaking from behind screen Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 12:23 PM                     I touched on this before, but I have a slightly different situation now. The theater I work at has apartments above it. The new tenant that moved in above theater two is constantly complaining about the sound coming through. The theater had work done a few years ago to try and soundproof. Behind the screen was not touched and I think that's where a lot of it is coming from. The only way to get back there is to pull the screen down. It's a very small area. Should I just frame out the walls and ceiling and add tons of insulation?  |  IP: Logged Demetris Thoupis Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1240 From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus Registered: Apr 2001 posted 02-19-2010 12:30 PM                     Sound Baffle makes a lot of difference. Also don't laugh but it would be wise to sit the subwoofers and speakers on tennis balls used as insulators. Demetris  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 01:19 PM                     Sub has been shut off for now.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 02-19-2010 02:27 PM                     Sadly, when your theatre building was built, it was prob long before the invention of stereo sound and using subwoofers. Along with power from the amplifier to speaker being less than 10 watts and also only using one speaker. Plus, no "explosive" movies were made back then. Might have to dbl insulate the ceiling with sheetrock then 2ft of insulation, then sheetrock over that. Then you can turn the subwoofer back on. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 02-19-2010 02:36 PM                  The landlord should have included a disclaimer in the lease about the theatre noise. Tell the whiny tenant to fuck off or move.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 02:51 PM                     The whiny tenant is Patricia Clarkson. Nobody ever complained like this before her. She has cursed the staff out a number of times already and threatened lawsuits. My response was "you shouldn't have moved on top of a movie theater". Anyway, I figure building a frame around the walls behind the screen should lessen it. What type of insulation is best? It is not only the sub bleeding through. Also, this building is an apartment building. The theater occupies the first floor.  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 02-19-2010 03:06 PM                     Have no idea who Patricia Clarkson is or if she is famous or whatever- that really shouldn't be a factor in dealing with this situation anyway. I fully agree with Phil's advice. If you spend up big trying to appease this person, then expect to make a rod for your back because whiney tenants will always remain whiney tenants and if they perceive a victory for themselves then you have set a precedent. Besides, there is something called "caveat emptor"...it means buyer beware and if she is dopey enough to take on an apartment next to a cinema then stiff cheddar - time to move.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 03:12 PM                     If you knew who she is, you would understand. I totally agree that it's tough shit on her. If the owner of the theater felt the same way, then it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, he doesn't. That being said, we are trying to find the best way to do this.  |  IP: Logged John Walsh Film God Posts: 2490 From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way Registered: Oct 1999 posted 02-19-2010 03:44 PM                     Well, I don't think you tell her the fuck off, however satisfying that might feel and it's good to spend at least a little time on the problem. Especially if she gets the law involved, you can show you didn't ignore her. I'm guessing the subs are most, if not all of the issue since you mention they were shut off. Where is her apartment in relation to the theater? Near the screen where the shaking speaker cabinet itself is causing the noise, or elsewhere - such that the sound pressure only is the problem. What is actually heard in the apartment; for example if it's a loose length of duct work pipe,etc., maybe it can be bolted down better. You can try the THX suggested Mason Super W 30 durometer pads under the speakers to start, ductliner elsewhere.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 02-19-2010 03:59 PM                        In a legal sense, the theatre was there before her. . . just like neighbors of airports. I think that any money spent to satisfy her should be shared with her or her landlord. This keeps her from starting a never-ending system of complaints and establishes a policy of shared responsibility. I agree that the loudest location is behind the screen and that a sound baffle wall with the speakers closely mounted through it is a really good start. You may also move the subs to a location froward of the screen in the corner between the screen wall and the floor. You will get better propogation to the audience and may well be able to reduce the overall level which will help backstage. Louis  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 02-19-2010 04:13 PM                     So I guess pest extermination isn't an option then? Practically speaking, it would be advantageous to gain access to the affected apartment and work backwards- that is, to go over the place and carefully note and feel where the intrusions are coming from. It may well be air duct or support beam transmission in which case you know where to start your efforts. Floor transmission has been addressed previously with tennis balls or spring mounts for rectifiers, subs &tc. Quite often, just feeling the walls, ceiling and floor can identify trouble spots. Whatever happens, a word to the body corporate might be in order just so you have your view put forth and noted. The threat of legal action may well blow up in this persons face as the court will certainly take into consideration where the apartment is located and other buisness/buildings in close proximity. As long as you aren't breaching tenancy rules and have taken appropriate actions, then you should be safe from any threatened legal action. Best of luck.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 05:29 PM                     The sub is not the main issue. It has been off for a long time now and she is still screaming. Her apartment runs the length of the auditorium. She says she can hear the loud scenes, especially music. It's loudest in her bedroom which is over the screen. I agree that we will never satisfy her. She is a friggin nut job. Just look in the news at the tantrums she has had. Until the owner sees this, we have to try something.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 02-19-2010 05:33 PM                     In my opinion, sound is like water or heat. You do the full job or it's almost useless.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-19-2010 06:08 PM                     Um.......OK  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 02-19-2010 06:22 PM                     quote: Richard May If you knew who she is, you would understand. This Patricia Clarkson?  |  IP: Logged

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