Best way to keep REL sub from “hopping around” at high volumes

SVS makes some nice rubber subwoofer feet that screw in to the bottom for around $49 a set. You can find them on Amazon, and they have thousands of great reviews. 

+1 the SVS footers.  You can pay more, but I’d try these first due to their reviews, cost effectiveness, and ease of return if they don’t work.  If not you can move on to something like Seismic Pods, which are much more expensive but by all accounts at an altogether higher level of performance.  But I think in your situation the SVS footers will work just fine.  Best of luck. 

https://www.townshendaudio.com/hi-fi-home-cinema-equipment-vibration-isolation/seismic-isolation-pods/

If your Rel is "hopping" around, are you sure you don't have the volume/gain turned up just a little to high?  I have two Rel subs in my system and I sometimes have to adjust the output depending of the disk I'm playing.  Some recording just have so much looooooow bass and at such volume.........   Herbie Hancock's Dis Is Da Drum is a good example.  I suspect the Rel sub wasn't designed to have the cabinet vibrating during play?  Just a thought.  

Build a box, fill it with sand (covered by a lid), paint it black, put it on top of the sub.

Best by far, Townshend Bars. These do far more than prevent hopping around, they actually improve bass, and also greatly reduce bass getting into the floor. Huge improvement.

Second best, Nobsound or other springs. Not as effective as Pods but at least as good if not better than all other options. 

Thanks all, for the options so far.   Much appreciated.     Jim.  

SVS or IsoAcoustic footers should work.  It also sounds like the physical motion of the driver is the best direction create some resonance.  Turn the subwoofer around 90 degrees. :)

@jhajeski

I am using a pair of Auralex Sub-Dude II Isolation Pad underneath my REL’s. Use the spikes supplied with REL’s and place them over these pads. They would be much more stable and prevent any movement not to mention tighter bass.

https://www.amazon.com/Auralex-Acoustics-SubDude-II-Subwoofer-v2/dp/B00DI5AXNI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WFVAOBE1QVBK&keywords=auralex+subdude-ii&qid=1668087100&sprefix=Aurelex%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90

+2 SVS footers - $50 a set, use them, nothing but good things to say about them.

I would take with a grain of salt the poster who recommends the Townshend product.  He would have you spend as much on the subwoofer platform as the subwoofer itself.

You will note he owns and repeatedly recommends all the Townshend products and likely has an undisclosed financial interest now or building for the future in products sold on his recommendation.

Anyone feel free to chime in with any corrections.

Buy a 18in by 18in by 1in recycled rubber outdoor paver from Home Depot and put it under the sub.  Or sized otherwise to fit your feet..  Don’t put anything on top.

isoacoustics is what you want

I have 2 REL SHO’s and they certainly don’t hop around.  You must have the volume turned up way too high and you most likely want a thumping bass sound.

I play mine at 40% volume.  If you can hear your subs they are too loud.  Play them as woofers,

I like the sound of springs over sorbothane.  I  think Herbie's is platinum infused rubber.  Many choices once you get this solved you will love the bass.

Honestly, I have to question subs playing that loud. I found that when they were set more than very low in my audio system, they collapse the soundstage and screw up the midrange and treble. They should not be heard.

I used to have 4 800 series subs, two in our HT and two in my audio system. When properly adjusted one could barely feel vibration from them with heavy bass. In my home theater playing the depth charge scenes from U-571 shook our whole house and they would vibrate a little with one’s hand on top.

From what you say, there is something very wrong.

+1 for the Auralex Isolation Pads.  Have the Auralex Isolation Pads under both of my JL Audio subs, on a hardwood floor, and I have no issues at all with vibration with the subs or the floor.  And I listen at high volumes.  Highly recommended.

Nice and simple. The same thing happen in my room as well. Just use Blu tack. If you are getting vibrations through the suspended floor cut a square slightly bigger then the foot print of the sub using 3/4 birch plywood (stain it) and put some blu tack in the corners and middle, stick the plywood to your wooden floor then place the sub on the plywood with the blu tack on the legs of the sub. All your problems will be fixed.

I have 2 SVS sb3000. There is no jumping around.  Look at my system.  I agree with @ghdprentice , something is wrong. 

Uh, spikes. 

Buy 4 2" Sorbothane 30 Durometer feet from.Amazon. Sorbothane is the real thing, no esoteric BS, its what is used for vibration control in all kinds of applications in all kinds of industries, because it works. 30 Durometer is the softest and works best in most audio applications. 70 Durometer is getting into the range of automotive suspension bushings and engine mount dampers.

Wow, it seems like you have your subs volume turned up too high! I have a REL T/9x , and even when I’m listening to the previously mentioned Dis is da drum, a very bass-heavy song by Herbie Handcock, it isn’t so dominant that my subwoofer has any movement.

make sure, doubly sure, that you have set it up correctly, follow rel's instructions step by step, to the letter

even on hardwood flooring, it really shouldn't hop around

Plus 1&2 that something isn’t right. I can make my Windows rattle and my attic fan buzz to the beat, but I’ve never had my sub do a dance.

I've used REL subs for years and they've never moved an inch on their own. This entire thread is tawdry.

Are you using the sub when watching an action-packed blockbuster movie?

I haven’t ad a movement issue but I do put a 2” block of corner packing material under each foot that is about 15” thick and made of a thick foam.  This may help but I believe my REL Strata II sounds better elevated.

Isoacoustics Orea worked under my S-510s. We have hardwood floors too. 

To those who inquired about how loud and whether I watch action movies very loud….just music.   My nominal setting on the REL is about 50%.  And, I should’ve been more clear, it certainly doesn’t happen all the time; only when I’m in one of those “crank up the volume” moods.   Certainly also depends on the bass content of whatever I’m listening to.  The floor is just very slippery.  
But, the suggestions here are exactly what I needed.    So, THANK YOU to those of you who tossed in an idea or recommendation.  
 

jim 
 

Great post. I too have the same question. In fact, I believe I asked REL and cannot find a response. It is not just during loud listening sessions, my pair of 212 SX migrate over time. I know because I have tape on the floor to mark their position. Additionally, people assume it's from pumping bass with a high gain setting. I only have a few clicks of gain. The knobs are barely moved from zero. Additionally, I do not listen to bass heavy music. I thought maybe my floor was pitched, but a level shows it is true. Cement is the base under the flooring. I will look into each of the suggestions as well. @jhajeski please let me know what you choose?

did the op say that he listens inside a tent on a hockey rink?

couldn't resist... carry on...🤣

Yes on the hockey rink, but no tent.   

REL recommends Blu-Tack for your type of installation.

If you want to experiment with something a bit less compliant (than 3M Blu-Tack) try HandiTAK by the makers of Super Glue.

DAP BlueStik is a suitable replacement for Blu-Tack if you can't find the 3M product.

DeKay

Replace it with an open-baffle dipole sub.

op

now, the right tent material offers very useful dampening of high frequency energy! 🤣

i do hope you sort out your sub dancing issue with blu tack!

+1 @dekay That's what I use as well.  However, I have wood floors so for the most part they stay put - there are few tracks that can move them. Sounds like you have slippery floors, so it may be at least worth a try.

My DIY…Herbies Audio Labs “thin grungebuster discs”. Very grippy, not gooey, messy or marring. About as thin as a business card and they keep that bad boy in place.