Footers- Break In? Such A Change.

sns,

The Critical Mass footers are rated as .8 size for components under 100 lbs. The 1.0 for over 100 pounds. Not sure what the 1.5 is rated for but I am using four of them under my Lumin X1. I think you can go lower than the max weight I have listed just not supposed to go over.

ozzy

testpilot,

I would say it takes 7-10 days.

ozzy

Best I can say is based on my actual experience, I placed them under the component where I thought would work best. And boy do they deliver.

ozzy

Thank you all for the comments, even the SA ones.

I have tried many footers, Stillpoints, Synergistic, Nordost, Black Diamond, and on and on. But, I have never had a footer react this way- breaking in.

I hope more of you can try them before you make an opinion, the final result after breakin is stunning.

ozzy

Thank you for the comments. I must mention that I also have the Townshend podiums and yes you could tell instantly the improvement.

But the Critical Mass footers are a different animal, they do take time to perform. They don't look much like Hi-Tech from the outside. I wonder what is inside of them?

ozzy

Thanks for those posts. The Starsound breaking in does seem strange also.

I have never heard of the Black Ravioli are they pads?

The Critical Mass footers do seem to have some type of mechanism inside, I just don’t know what.

ozzy

Thanks again for the additional comments.

• Yes the carpet piercing points do take a while to settle though the carpet, especially if you have carpet padding.
• I also used the GAIA 1’s under my Sopra 2’s they are very good.
• The Ravioli pads, I have heard of them, never used them though. Sounds like Bo probably prefers them with sauce...

ozzy

antigrunge2,

Thanks for that info. I'll check it out.

ozzy

Does anyone else own the Critical Mass Footers?

ozzy

sns,

I think they adjust to the weight that is imposed on them.

ozzy

So, I guess I'm not crazy... here is what I found about the CM footers.

"The curious thing about the CenterStage2 is that you know when its working because it makes the system sound a lot worse, at first. Until the footers harmonise and begin to correct those impedance mismatches and beyond, the sound of the system goes thin, light, bright, and the soundstage and dynamic range all but collapse. Then, as it begins to settle, the sound undergoes a quick and significant change for the better, and it keeps getting a lot better. We felt that “You notice this change by a shift in your internal dialogue. ‘I’d forgotten just how good that really is!’ (referring to both record and equipment) seems to be the first sign. About an hour later, you find yourself composing a thank-you email to the designers of the components in your system. Although it’s the bass that first comes back, it’s the midrange that seals the deal: the enhanced clarity, the walk-in detail to the soundstage, which seems to not change a thing, all the while being far more enveloping than before. This is no small change, and as the listening progresses, you begin to find this feeling of being immersed in the music.”

ozzy

raysmtb1,

I don’t agree, you probably should try it before you close your mind.

ozzy

Well now that is mean...

ozzy

Huh? Are you inhaling to close to the tailpipe?

ozzy

owenlee,

Glad to see that another has tried these footers. I consider them essential to my overall sound pleasure.

Did you also experience the weird break in?

ozzy

Here is what has just been posted about the Critical Mass footers on another forum by a Critical Mass dealer.

"What people fail to understand tis that this Footer is based on Second Law of Thermodynamics and materials physics and essentially is dumping the entropy and finding a new point of equilibrium. It has nothing to do Wirth the weight of the unit"

Not sure I understand this though.

ozzy

It really does sound mysterious and confusing. But theses footers are really something. That is, in improving the sonics of my components.

ozzy

gbmcleod,

You are right on.

I just got some new very heavy (140lb ea.) amps and I waited until they were broken in before adding the CM footers. Now, with the footers underneath, they really add extra depth and realism. BTW, I have the CM under all my components.

I still don’t know what is inside them, perhaps some rich dude can take one apart? I’m hoping it isn’t just some glue and horsehair...LOL!

ozzy

Thank you for your post. I have tried the Stillpoints Ultra SS and they are good, but the Critical Mass footers are in a different league. Both companies now have revised versions, not sure if the gap has closed or widened.

BTW, I am also using the ISO-Acoustics Gaiai 1’s under my Clarisys planer’s.

ozzy

I really think both products are amazing. But thus far I have only tried the Townshend Podiums under my speakers and the CM footers under components.

My next speaker unfortunately will not be able to try either product based on the way they are designed.

ozzy

magnuman,

I am not sure about the Critical Mass footers for speakers. However, with my new speakers: (Clarisys Minute, when they arrive) they may / or may not be an option, I’m not sure. The new speakers look to have aluminum feet so it may be a balancing act to use the Critical Mass LS footers.

But they are like $5K a set!

ozzy

Well, I just set up the Clarisys speakers. Whew they are heavy!

Anyway, I don't see any practical way to put Critical Mass LS footers or podiums underneath them.

Too bad someone doesn't make a footer that can double as a furniture mover disc.

ozzy

No.

Everything is better than what I started with. 

ozzy