Lspade69

iTrader: (2)

I need some information on the legal db level in town. I live in minnesota and last friday me and my friends got stopped by 3 different cops and they told us to turn it down. I asked the 3rd dude if he could tell us the db level that is legal and he said, "what i think is too loud, is too loud". Ya that pissed me off. So I was wondering where I could get some information and actual papers to show the dude that we have it at a legal volume. And, I hope this isn't a stupid question, but what do you measure db's with? And what is the deal with spl. Are decibles a meausre of sound pressure level? Thanks much.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I have no issues at all with the officers approach. Your right to make noise is less than the public's right to peace and quiet. If you got stopped 3 times, dude, the noise was excessive by any means. You need to go to the city and see if they have a noise ordinance bylaw or the local police detachment for this kind of information. Personally, while my business caters to people who like music, the respect ends when the customer does not respect others by making unnecessary noise. Lots of people work shift work or have kids and may finally be able to take a nap, and along comes the tunes waking them up. Play your system respectfully.

You need a calibrated mic system in order to accurately measure Sound Pressure Levels. It is expressed in db. Some stereo shops may have one of these meters. Now think of this. Sit at the train crossing and wait for a train to start wailing on it's horn. You can hear it a mile away, correct. To the guy in the train it is as loud a mile away as it is when he passes you. To you, it is quieter and gets louder as it comes closer. Now consider the fact that the train is you driving and the police officer was you parked at the crossing. The police officer was well within his rights to pull you over.

Lspade69

iTrader: (2)

When I said "stopped" I meant they told us to turn off our tunes and get out of the parking lot. (we check for "no loitering" signs also) We were parked with the windows down sitting outside talking and listening to music. (two girls were dancing which may have attracted the cops' attention but that isn't illegal either) I doubt it was at illegal volumes because we were carrying on conversations without going "what did you say?". When the third cop talked to us he said, I could here you when I drove by the parking lot. I mean, of course he did, we had our windows down, he had his windows down and there was like a distance of less than 20 feet between us and the street. I do understand about keeping it quiet though, when I stroll back home through the neighborhood I keep it down but it is different for cruzing because it is only business buildings and gas stations so I am sure we wouldn't be keeping people awake. But ya, I guess I will check at the cop shop next time I am up there about what the legal volume is.

Hardwrkr

iTrader: (5)

Also understand that an officer usually won't make it a point to stop and talk to you about it unless a complaint has been made. If you don't believe conveniece store and gas station owner's don't phone in complaints you would be wrong.

Team Shadow

a 20 hz bass note is approx 56 ft long. so just imagone that 56 ft away there was someone saying "whos playing a tuba?". music is dynamic so there im sure that you werent listening to acapella.

great analogy rob. couldnt have said it better myself.

dude its all about not going deaf. although it may sound ok to you...bass is not what folks like. sure we spl'ers love it but i bet you that any cop would find 120 db of 50 cent as no good. while i bet 140 dbs of mozart would not spark the same hassle. just cause it goes loud shouldnt mean that others want it to. now we can drive and hit 150 in our spl car. full boar and roaring....but it with our windows up you can barely hear us. not a word of lie. turn it down cause if 3 cops asked you the same then a ticket will come one day. ive been asked to turn it down once in 4 years and that was at a show and shine......by a 90 year old lady.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Pat, uh, can you please turn the stereo down dude. You are rattling my windows at the shop.

MIKE1

most cops had mommas that just didnt love them enough

loudlemans

ya pat you system is too loud.....you should sell "me" those subs and amp lol

Dukk

'Disturbing the peace' and 'public disturbance' citations can be handed out at any time of the day, anywhere, at the discretion of the officer. Yeah you can fight those in court, but you'll likely lose.