Speaker Spikes - Working Principle
Vibration damping obvious makes sense (in speakers just as well as in cars).
That involves 'killing' (converting into heat, through typically internal friction) kinetic energy. So any sort of elastic material (rubber has lots of internal friction) makes sense.
And then there are spikes. Using a pointy hard object and pair it with a softer, elastic material (to deform, and kill kinetic energy) can work; think metal sharp spike into carpet or wood floor.
But what is the idea behind pairing fairly unelastic metal (brass for example) with similarly unelastic (brass, stone, etc) material (example photo provided)? Only thing I can come up with: LOOKS good and makes owner feel good thinking its an improvement (works only for Audiophiles though),
Even more curious: are they ENGINEERED "spikes" (vibration dampers or shock absorbers) for speakers that are TUNED for the frequency (and mass) that needs to be dampened? Can piston style fluid dampers be designed for the high frequencies (100, 1000, 10000 Hz) using geometry, nozzles size and viscosity of the fluid?
Showing 5 responses by j-wall
@amtprod Exactly! Sometimes it's hard to describe your scenario and experience, but pictures tell it all. For someone just starting into the decoupling arena like my wife I can highly recommend them. I've read the Townshend's take things a step further, but for $200 I'm happy to start here. I'll be trying components next. |
So just an update on the Herbie's spike decoupling gliders I picked up, they're fanatic. Upper frequencies are cleaner, more detailed and have much more depth and nuance to them. Mid frequencies didn't change much for me. Lower register bass notes seem to have lost a ton of flab and vibration and are a lot more detailed and sharp. I did lose a ton of lower end grunt, but it's replaced with more detail from the bass notes and it sounds like instruments are being played rather than frequency loading a room with vibration. I would highly recommend anyone on a second story with carpet over wood subfloor try these out. They've increased detail, decreased bass flab and my wife downstairs doesn't hear the bass frequency vibrations nearly as badly. Speakers are Focal Sopra's in a small room. |
@goose I just ordered Herbie's gliders and I'm in the exact scenario of your room. What were your thoughts on them versus spikes? Our TV room is right below my listening room so I'm hoping the gliders give a little more bass isolation versus spikes. |
@goose i see. Mind telling me more specifically what the Herbie's did to your system, how it didn't work for you and how the Townshend's did? I've been eyeing the Townshend products, but am starting with the gliders first to see the impact. I'm hoping for some positive benefit with the Herbie's, but would like to hear your impressions. |