I want to try out the Nobsound springs as damping footers (mainly under my mono blocks and my streamer). I ordered a first set of them and now I wonder about the amount of springs to put in for different weights of equipment.I remember one post that said it works best when 50% compressed (was it @millercarbon?).
I measured the compression of the springs, it takes ~2.5 kg per spring to compress it to 50%. Based on 50% compression target, this yields the following sweet spot configurations (only stable ones, total equipment weight): - 3 units, 3 springs each: 22.5 kg - 4 units, 3 springs each (or 3 units, 4 springs each): 30 kg - 4 units, 4 springs each: 40 kg - 3 units, 6 springs each: 45 kg - 3 units, 7 springs each: 52.5 kg - 4 units, 6 springs each: 60 kg - 4 units, 7 springs each: 70 kgLoad can be considerably higher than expected (somewhere I read about 36kg, which is presumably for 4 units).
Any comments?What about ~10 kg streamer, seems to be too light to compress the springs enough? Does anyone have experience with Nobsound springs under light equipment like this? Based on your experiences: Would you even dare to put an 80kg floor standing speaker on Nobsound springs?
You looking for equal load distribution, the compression of the pod is what your trying to accomplish. Keep in mind it takes a couple days of playing to settle them in too. Never hurts to take notes and do a final adjustment and placement of the springs and pods. Remember use ear plugs to dampen the springs. Roll them up and put them inside the spring.. Itti Bitty stuff helps..
Right, I need some advice. No matter how I adjust the number of springs at all 4 footers, the gap between the top and bottom metal pieces of the two footers located at the front will not be the same as the two footers at the rear.
Current Setup
Two Nobsound footers at the front = 3 springs
Gap between top and bottom metal pieces = 3.5 mm
Two Nobsound footers at the rear = 2 springs
Gap between top and bottom metal pieces = 2 mm
Question : Is it better to add one more spring to both footers at the rear or remove one spring from the front footers? I have checked the levels with a spirit level. There is no issue with the leveling. The uneven gap is caused by uneven weight distribution of the component which is heavier at the front and lighter at the rear.
The gap between the metal pieces of the front footers will not be the same as the rear footers no matter how the adjustments are carried out.
Thanks for the prompt response. Will look into it now. I've just removed one spring each from the rear footers and the gap looks even now. Will do some manual compression after you have made the suggestion.
Yes you are looking for even compression on all spring pods. You can use a level too you know.. Just like a fence post.. I woulds also make sure the top, bottom and springs are completely installed.. The springs can get hung in the bore a little..
I've used a few now, they are well made but they aren't perfect. :-) Step on them after you get your spring count right. Ear plugs in the springs too, Just a little nugget..
After installing the Nobsound springs under 4 feet of the component, I found the degree of compression at all 4 corners to be dissimilar. The gap of the springs at the front appears to be smaller than the rear. This may suggest that the component is heavier at the front thus causing higher compression to the Nobsound springs placed at the front. Lighter weight at the rear thus less compression resulting in a larger gap of the springs placed at the rear of the component.
Is it advisable to remove one spring from footers with larger gaps to compensate for the uneven weight distribution of the component?
I'm trying the Nobsounds under my preamps right now. First, I got the cheaper plastic ones to try because the aluminum ones were not available. I had to use two springs per corner and wrap the springs with Teflon tape to stop the squeaking. They worked but the resonance point was 8 Hz. I just got the aluminum ones a few days ago. They are much nicer. I found that I could use just one spring per corner now and got the resonance down to 4 Hz. They are effective isolators. With one spring per corner I have roughly 0.200" gap or travel left. The springs in the nobsounds will not deform if you go closed coil and since this is a static application working height/load is not an issue. Just maintain some clearance or they cannot isolate. I believe the ideal resonance is 3 Hz for the most effective isolation.
- 4 units, 6 springs each: 60 kg
- 4 units, 7 springs each: 70 kgLoad can be considerably higher than expected (somewhere I read about 36kg, which is presumably for 4 units).
From my understanding the maximum load capacity of 4 Nobsound units with 7 springs is 50 kg. Did you manage to hear a positive change with the Nobsound under your amps? Does the Nobsound sound better with more or less compression?
What does 50% compression mean? Does this mean that the gap between the top and bottom aluminium alloy piece is reduced to half?
Granite rings like a bell. How you managed to get some and set it up and not notice, ... wait a minute. Dude the vibrations?!?! Nevermind. The dude abides.
I went to a granite fabrication company and had them cut pieces that fit my components. Granite is a very dense natural stone that dissipates vibrations. I have placed very sensitive instruments in the component to dude the vibrations when playing music and there is none.
Reading that first post all I could think, imagine how much better that guys system would sound if he put all that effort into trying springs and LISTENING to them instead of wasting it measuring dead weight.
Oh well. Maybe next time....?
Under large speakers, no problem. Depending on the size and shape you might want to put them on a platform ala Townshend Podiums for improved stability. My Moabs are plenty tall and narrow and no worries on springs here.
As for lighter stuff, the springs themselves are rather small and only 1/4" diameter. To use them one per corner, three to a component, would need to hot glue to the component or they would likely tip over. Or you could drill a 1/4" hole part way into MDF, which is what I did to make more footers using extra springs.
Nobsound springs really aren’t that good. Each spring is way too small, narrow, and stiff. What we really want is a spring like in Townshend Pods that when compressed is wider than it is tall. This gives stability. It also needs to provide freedom of movement in all planes. Nobsound really work great vertically but have a lot of lateral resistance. Another reason Townshend are a whole lot better.
If you experiment and listen instead of weighing and measuring you will notice the sound can be tuned to ear by simply removing one spring or even moving them around. Closer to corners increases effective stiffness, closer to center decreases, a difference you can see in how it bounces and hear when playing music. You can even remove or add a spring to just one at a time, and compensate (fine tune) by moving it around. Finally you can fine tune by adding weight, usually on top of the component. That’s what mahgister did, tuned his to perfection with tiny little adjustments just like these.
I certainly won't be sticking springs under my components! For aesthetic purposes I use hardwood cubes - no claim that they do anything to improve sonics!
More Flat Earth Science here! More foolishness! And Nobsound is a Ch*nese company seeing dollars to be made with some crazy tweaks! Next will be colored fuses!
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