Nobsound Isolation: Boing, boing, boing...
I've been enjoying my rig of late but got the bug to tweak. 😉 One of the things I've been somewhat dissatisfied with is my subwoofer's performance. I have an old RH Labs passive sub with internal high-pass crossover. the sub has a 10" driver which does move a lot of air from its heavy cabinet. The problem is it's not very tight and can be rather ill-defined with it's reproduction.
Enter Nobsound Isolation springs. A lot has been written about these already so I'm likely not breaking new ground. On a whim, I ordered a set from AMZN. When they arrived I simply unpacked them and installed them under the corners of the sub which rests on plush wall to wall carpet.. Now for $35/set I wasn't really expecting all that much change. I figured if anything I could return them, right? Wrong! I fired up the system and within 5 minutes i couldn't believe the difference!
From front to back:
Bluesound Node2i with Border Patrol DAC
ARC SP11 MkII
ARC VS-110
Acoustat 1+1s
RH Labs sub
Merrill cables all round
The sound was undeniably impacted. The bottom end was now tighter, more defined. Instead of just bass "sounds" there were bass NOTES to be heard. The soundtrack to Interstellar is one of my desert island performances what with it's moving melodies and the sonic fireworks of the pipe organ. I could tell not only with my ears how extended and tight the bass is now, I'll have to move the wineglasses around in the dining room next door that were vibrating!
The stand-up bass on jazz recordings now have clearly discernible notes and sound much more integrated with the Acoustats. I can't wait to play some LPs after work to see what else I can hear.
Verdict: If you feel your subwoofer is under performing, give a set of these a shot. For $35 I don't think you can go wrong.
Happy listening.