Noise reduction from neighboring properties - ideas?

In particular, only mass helps against low frequencies. Earthen berms, gabions, etc. There are also a number of special soundproof fences, some of which can also be greened. The closer they are to the sound source, the more effective. And of course, the higher, the better. Overall, probably a sledgehammer to crack a nut...

[...]wakes my sleeping baby up[...]

Offer him a deal: He turns off the radio now, and you deal with your teenager in 15 years. ;-)

Seriously: If it wakes your child, go over to him, explain it, and he will very likely be understanding. Otherwise, a lot of sound insulation inside also helps: curtains, wall tapestries, carpet in general.

Best regards

As far as your problem is specific to low frequencies, sound diffusion will help little because low tones primarily propagate vibrationally – with diffusers you only scatter the overtones of the low tones – thus relatively high low tones and mid tones if considered alone – but not the low tones themselves. Low tones require a lot of energy and therefore weaken after only a short distance. The stronger low tones "arrive," the more likely they have been transmitted as vibrations rather than as sound – and consequently more through building components than through air.

Stockhausen? I don’t understand him.

And many people with completely different tastes feel the same, myself included. That is exactly what makes him and other twelve-tone composers so suitable for drawing people’s attention to the fact that Wilhelm Busch was right: music is often perceived as disturbing because it is always associated with noise.

Besides, in the village with new buildings, there is realistically the chance that those people will get someone pregnant at some not too distant future, and then the punk rock blasting at half past midnight will be over quicker than you can say "mash."

Children change a lot – but they don’t turn headbangers into symphony fans. For that to happen, the child would have to scream endlessly until the gothic mom gives up her black lipstick.

Then I can’t enjoy my music either, because it keeps annoying me subconsciously that I basically HAVE TO listen to music so I’m not annoyed.

Trust a conservative educator that you don’t have to carry this method through for long. Put the speakers on the terrace while you go shopping. It is only about triggering the realization in the counterpart that neighborly impacts do not stop radiating at the fence.

I stupidly assumed that the clientele who blast music loudly into the night can't afford a new building,

Hmm, fun now has nothing to do with money or age. And listening to music is just part of life.

No, only in the half of the house where the construction radio stands in front of the windows, mainly the office and children’s room (directly above). On the other side of the house you can hardly hear it.

I think it’s normal to notice that. We also hear our neighbor’s conversations when they are standing in their yard. That’s sound. And if they stand under their carport, it’s like they are standing on our terrace. In summer I took Freddy Mercury with me onto our terrace so I wouldn’t hear the neighbors.

I would really like to know what my options are to contain what comes from there onto our property.

If you mean the Makita radio, is he working on the terrace? Then it’s only a temporary problem, right? Was this the first time? Or do you think he will be listening to the radio outside all the time now?

If I knew whether the bass comes through the wall or the windows, I could build some kind of window insert that acts soundproof.

I would try curtains. And if it’s really just a few times a year, then go to Ikea, to the hardware store, or to the playground during that time. But you won’t be able to run away from the bass or social noise your whole life... once it’s summer, terraces will be used, even until 10 pm (or later). What about yoga? Completely serious :cool:

Trust a conservative educator that you don’t have to carry out this method for long. Put the speakers on the terrace while you’re out shopping. It’s only about triggering the realization in the other person that neighborly interference doesn’t end by broadcasting over the fence.

Sorry, before I would do such nonsense, I would rather try a conversation first.
The recommended approach somehow reminds me of the way someone who finally has to move out of the White House on 01/20/2021 (which I am very happy about) behaves ;)

What is definitely important is to find a solution. If you wait too long, the problem gnaws into your mind and then unfortunately only one thing helps, looking for a new home with a larger property or a greater distance to the neighbor.

Oh yes, if I am annoyed by noises in our current rental apartment, I sometimes put on my noise-cancelling headphones, but without having any music device connected. Then at least I have some peace for a while to relax and read a book or to concentrate on something. I have even done that at the office :)

Is your baby really awake or are you just afraid it will wake up?!

Otherwise, if it's your office, I would put a thick bookshelf on the wall, complex Besta systems, etc.!
I think that should absorb quite a bit of sound.

Or you just let music play (quietly) with you. Maybe it distracts you or quietly drowns out the bass.

That's just how it is. People live close together. I also have my Sonos speaker hanging on the terrace. And it sometimes runs in the summer while I mow the lawn (manual reel mower). Within reason, you have to be allowed to do what you want. Live and let live, in my opinion.

Be glad you don't have a neighbor whose "hobby" is wood and rabbits. He would be busy with the splitter all Saturdays;)