Can anyone recommend a good white noise machine?

[ann123]

I need something to block out heavy banging and construction noise. Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate it.

[johnbergstromslc]

I've only ever owned one, but it works great.  Inexpensive, too.

http://www.amazon.com/Marpac-White-Machine-Screen-Conditioner/dp/B000BQYP1S

Caution, though - it's not gonna totally 'block out' the noise, but it will make it less annoying.

[ann123]

Hi John, thank you for always answering my questions so kindly.  Actually I purchased the Marpac months ago and then returned it because it wasnt loud enough :  )

But I appreciate the help so much.

[johnbergstromslc]

Wow, you do have a bad noise problem.

I know that there are cd's of white noise that you can put in your stereo and crank, but I couldn't tell you where to find them.  I seem to remember a previous post mentioning it - see if you can do a search, both on the forum here and google.

Good luck.

[ann123]

Many thanks to you.  You are very kind to care.

[QuietPlease!]

I purchased a TEAC kitchen clock/radio/cd player combo that also plays mp3s. I play "white noise" and adjust the bass and treble to get just the coverage I need. 

I have a problem with thoughtless neighbors who are very loud and also slam their kitchen cabinet doors. Any cd will mask their talking/tv/loud music, but impact noise (banging and slamming) is tougher. To cover that I play "medicine drum" cds. These combine nature sounds with a soothing, rhythmic "heartbeat" drumming. The pounding and slamming sort of disappear into the drumming.

Here's a website where you can try mixing your own drum whitenoise http://www.soundsleeping.com/ I can connect my TEAC directly to my computer play whatever I mix up from this site.

I also have a "big band" cd with lots of drumming that works on weekend evenings when they get really crazy.

It doesn't help when I'm trying to sleep, and I know the only long term solution is major soundproofing. But it does make the daytime hours less stressful.

[tacobar]

Hi Ann,

I don't know if white noise will help you when it comes to construction.  I've slept with a white noise machines for years, and I have a crappy Conair which works fine for me.  I got mine at drugstore.com. 
It can get pretty loud as well.  But that really works to drown out neighbor's voices and slamming doors.

I have another clock radio from Timex that has nature sounds, and it has a silly wind chime that may work better with construction.  I got that at Costco for $19.99.  The windchimes soothes my nerves because it does remind me of a sunny lazy Saturday afternoon. 

Oh, the things we do to deal with living in an urban jungle. 

Good luck!

Vivian

[jen8290]

I use the same Timex one from Costco!
Has worked great so far.

[joel]

As all who have commented above have verified, white noise machines are not designed to solve construction or street noise problems (their best use is for office environments - conversations and background noise).  Try an acrylic window insert on the inside of your existing window - that should block out 60-80% of the noise.  Here's a link which discusses a couple:  http://soundproofing.org/sales/magnetseal_windows.htm