The best sounds for blocking street noise
Traffic, car horns, sirens, construction, people shouting. Urban street noise is relentless and unpredictable — the exact combination that prevents your brain from habituating.
How sound helps
Low-Frequency Masking: Low-frequency noise - traffic rumble, bass from neighbours, HVAC hum, footsteps from upstairs - passes through walls and floors more effectively than high-frequency sound. White noise (equal energy across all frequencies) is less effective at masking these bass-heavy disruptions. Brown noise concentrates its energy in the low frequencies (-6 dB/octave), making it the most effective masking option for urban environmental noise.
Source: Acoustic engineering principles
Setup guide
Place speakers near the window. Close windows where possible. Heavy curtains add 5-10 dB of physical sound reduction. Combine with sound masking for best results.
Recommended sounds
brown noise
Traffic rumble sits in the 60-500 Hz range. Brown noise's low-frequency emphasis directly targets this.
Recommended: 50-65 dBrain sounds
Broad masking plus an evolutionary comfort signal: "you're inside, you're safe, the weather is keeping others away."
Recommended: 50-60 dBpink noise
For street noise that includes voices and horns (higher frequency). Pink noise's balanced profile covers a wider range than brown.
Recommended: 45-60 dBTry it now
Listen on Softly
Pro tip
Double-glazed windows reduce outside noise by 25-35 dB. Combined with a brown noise speaker at 50 dB, most street noise becomes imperceptible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is street noise so much more disruptive than indoor noise?
Unpredictability. Your brain habituates to constant sounds but cannot habituate to unpredictable sounds (horns, sirens, shouting). Sound masking reduces the relative loudness of these spikes.
How does sound help with street noise?
Low-Frequency Masking: Low-frequency noise - traffic rumble, bass from neighbours, HVAC hum, footsteps from upstairs - passes through walls and floors more effectively than high-frequency sound. White noise (equal energy across all frequencies) is less effective at masking these bass-heavy disruptions. Brown noise concentrates its energy in the low frequencies (-6 dB/octave), making it the most effective masking option for urban environmental noise.
What volume should I use for street noise?
For street noise, set your volume to 50-65 dB. This range is based on acoustic research — loud enough to mask distracting noise, quiet enough to avoid auditory fatigue during extended listening.