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Speaker shock absorbers

From time to time people have posted different methods for mechanically decoupling their speakers from the floor to reduce vibration. Some of these have involved using a ply system of rubber strips and wood strips, which seems reasonable to me. I have looked for suitable sized sections of rubber or even for large sheets to cut up but have been unsuccessful. To those who have used that method -where did you find the material and what thickness of rubber and wood did you use for each layer - finally how many layers did you end up using?
musicnoise

Showing 2 responses by ssglx

ssglx
203 posts
 
On the topic of Vibrapods. You pick them based on the weight they are to carry. If you want the speakers to be stiffer and the sound tighter, you can just increase the number of pods under each speaker.

Under my monitors (four #2 vibrapods under each speaker) they are just the ticket. Richer, livelier and more musical than spikes, cones, or absorbant pads, and with nearly equal clarity. No downside at all.

Under my floorstanders (using five #4 'pods), the sound is very rich and warm, with a clear top end. Bass is looser, but I still prefer to the factory spikes due to the wonderful rich tone.

I tried four #5 vibrapods, but I lost some warmth and switched back to the #4.
ssglx
203 posts
 
This is a bit older thread, but I thought I'd report some successful findings.

A few months ago I aquired a pair of Soliloquy 5.3i floorstanders. Great speakers! I'd been trying several types of footers to get the best balance, musicality, clarity, and bass.
With my older Soliloquy monitors it was no contest. Vibrapods hands down for clarity and great tone, exceptional liveliness, and even a little bass boost and growl.
With the floorstanders I tried several variations of vibrapods, different configurations and ratings (#4's and #5's). I got the clarity, tone and musicality I wanted, but the bass was always just a step behind the music and a little sloppy.
Another product I'd tried with the monitors are a cork and rubber product called Isol-Pads available here on Audiogon. They did a good job of decoupling the monitors but lightened the bass unacceptably. On the floorstanders however they have been great! Clarity is still good, the sound is very clean and musical and now the PRAT is back. Bass is appropriately quick and even, and still with satisfying weight. Low level liveliness is good, much better than on spikes, but not quite up to the more energy preserving vibrapods.
I would encourage anyone who wants to try decoupling their floorstanders to try the Isol-pad product. They are not at all expensive.

Chris
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