Apartment-friendly surround sound

While most would say that a surround sound system is inappropriate for a standard rental apartment unit, but there are ways to make it work in small spaces. You can enjoy quality sound without annoying your neighbours!

Other issues renters face is the inability to structurally modify the space – as it’s rented, not owned. If you’re worried your space won’t accommodate a surround sound system, check out these handy tips to design a system to work for your apartment.

Compact

When shopping for an apartment-friendly sound system, going compact is the key. With today’s technology, bigger doesn’t have to equal better. Get excellent sound quality from compact speakers. Look for wall-mounted speakers to save floor space. If you do hang a speaker on a wall, try to avoid walls you share with neighbors.

You should also look for compact receivers and Blu-ray players and such since you probably won’t have the space for a full entertainment unit. You need equipment that can fit on a small shelf.

Decouple speakers

Decoupling your speakers means removing the speaker from a direct surface. This means that instead of having them sit on the floor, where vibrations can be felt through the floor or wall, you put the speakers on stands or pedestals. Decoupling your speaker can greatly improve your relationship with your neighbours, as they won’t have to listen to or feel your audio.

Hide wires or go wireless

Another complaint renters have about setting up audio-visual equipment in a small space is the abundance of wires. Not only wire unsightly, but they area tripping hazard. There are two solutions:

A) Hide cords and wires under carpets or run them along walls if possible
B) Go wireless  to remove the issue altogether

Soundproof your walls

Lastly, you can do your best to organically soundproof your apartment. Rather than putting up actual soundproofing foam, you can create sound barriers using wall art, bookshelves and tapestries.

It’s also a good idea to mind your volume. Just because you have a surround sound system, doesn’t mean you should crank it up as loud as you can. Be a polite and respectful neighbour, while still enjoying the cinema-like experience in your living room.

If you’re looking for rental apartment or house for rent in your area, check out Gottarent.com to search listings by geographical area. See the rental prices and available amenities, plus photos of the apartment.