At Onyx Dragon, we believe it’s time to have an honest conversation about surround sound systems in flats — and why they simply do not belong there.
Let’s be clear: when you live in a flat or apartment building with shared walls, ceilings, and floors, your right to enjoy media at high volumes stops where your neighbour’s right to peace and quiet begins. Surround sound systems, especially those using subwoofers, are not appropriate for such environments unless operated at extremely low volumes.
We understand the appeal of immersive audio setups — but if you absolutely must enjoy that kind of experience, we strongly suggest investing in a high-quality pair of surround sound headphones. Yes, they exist. Modern surround sound headphones offer fantastic spatial audio experiences without disturbing anyone around you. It’s a simple, effective, and considerate solution that preserves your neighbours’ wellbeing while still allowing you to enjoy your entertainment.
It’s important to note that even the best construction materials cannot fully block sound transmission. Acoustic studies over the past fifty years have consistently shown that between 30dB and 60dB of sound energy is typically lost when passing through standard walls, ceilings, and floors. However, low-frequency sounds (like the deep rumbles of a subwoofer) are notoriously difficult to block. If neighbours can still clearly hear your media despite these natural losses, it’s a strong indication that the original volume at the source is unreasonably high.
For individuals with neurodivergent conditions such as autism, these issues are even more significant. Many autistic individuals experience heightened auditory sensitivity, meaning that noises which might seem “mild” to the average person can feel overwhelming, intrusive, and even physically painful. Persistent low-frequency sounds and vibrations can severely impact their wellbeing, trigger sensory overload, and cause serious stress responses. Consideration for neurodivergent individuals must be part of any community-minded approach to shared living spaces.
At Onyx Dragon, we rely on peaceful evenings to complete two important parts of our operations: first, we need to update our website daily to reflect accurate stock levels based on our wholesalers’ availability at closing time; second, we must prepare for the next day’s market sales, which often includes packing products, sorting inventory, and creating marketing materials. Disturbances between 8pm and 11pm don’t just ruin relaxation — they directly interfere with our ability to sustain our business and livelihood.
Living in a community means respecting the people around you. If your entertainment system is causing distress to others, that’s a sign it’s time to make a change — not a sign that your neighbours are the problem.
It’s not about taking away anyone’s enjoyment; it’s about finding a balance where everyone in a shared building can coexist comfortably. If you truly need cinema-level sound, a detached house or a properly soundproofed room is the appropriate environment — not a flat with shared walls.
In short:
Please use headphones — preferably surround sound headphones — if you live in a flat and wish to enjoy immersive audio. It’s better for everyone.
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#RespectYourNeighbours #NoisePollution #ApartmentLiving #SurroundSound #CommunityLiving #PeacefulHome #OnyxDragon #ResponsibleLiving #AcousticsMatter #NeurodiversityAwareness #SurroundSoundHeadphones