An elevator system sound reducing assembly includes an elevator car moveably disposed in an elevator shaft. Also included is a counterweight moveably disposed in the elevator shaft, the counterweight operatively coupled to and guided along a counterweight frame. Further included is a barrier located at a height of the elevator shaft that corresponds to passage of the elevator car and the counterweight relative to each other, the barrier disposed between the counterweight and the elevator car upon passage of the elevator car and the counterweight.