Townshend Springs under Speakers

@prof, well said.

While working early in my career as an editor (network television), I dealt with similar issues, e.g. matching room tone from edit to edit.

It requires careful listening and attention to detail. 

Those who don’t do it for a living have no idea.

@grannyring

I placed Townshend Pods under my integrated amp and dac yesterday.

Bill, I’m interested to know the distance from the shelf (or platform, or floor...) to the bottom of the DAC, and the integrated amp with Townshend Pods installed.

Have you ever used a Symposium Acoustics system (shelf + Rollerblocks), or HRS system (platform + Nimbus Couplers) under these components?

For the time being I am weighing my options. One of them being sell it all go off grid live the RV life a while. Seriously. Given it serious thought. Or move, TN top of the list, and build custom. Probably will do something in between.

Seems extreme considering all the hard work, effort and resources invested into your present system and room.

However, I understand how life can present situations and opportunities that are catalysts for change.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Wonder if people know who the Townshend dealer in the US is since they don't have it listed on their website

Problem is, one doesn't receive replies, or the communication is spotty.

Also, pricing is considerably more favorable through John Hannant, who advertises on Audiogon and E-Bay.

I mean it’s hard to believe MC was courting this arrangement from his first Townshend post. It would hardly be the first time enthusiasm for a product led to product representation.
I realise how it looks, but is that unethical?

As it applies to Townshend Pods and Townshend Podiums, no.

However, consider Townshend products that followed the pods and podiums and received positive commentary from him: Townshend Audio F1 Fractal Speaker Cables, Townshend F1 interconnects, Townshend Super tweeters.

Seemed at the time like a lot of expensive gear being acquired by someone who espouses low hanging fruit, and bang-for-the-buck products like Tekton Moab and Raven Blackhawk.

Now, it makes more sense.

The Star Sound Apprentice platforms have provided those similar results in my audio system. The effect is as if the speakers disappeared in my room. I think it is fair to conclude that both products get the job done exceptionally well. I don’t believe that one product/solution has to be denigrated in order to support the other. Both can coexist and be excellent choices.
Charles

@charels1dad, I concur with every point. Excellent post.

Have owned both Sistrum and Townshend platforms, although in different systems with different loudspeakers.

@stringreen

...my thinking is that if the speaker can rock, the timing will suffer - don’t know that as fact..just wondering), also my speakers are extremely heavy and would require hired hands to complete the setup.. too much for an experiment.

Yes, you would probably need the help of one other person.

However, there are inexpensive tools that can help the set-up process: inflatable bladders sold on Amazon, 7" square furniture sliders, and round MoveAlls. The 7" square sliders are great for helping to slide and position speakers onto the podiums. The round sliders are great for placing under the Podium feet to easily position the speakers. When you’ve locked in the position, use an air bladder or two to raise the podium just enough to pull out the furniture sliders.

Again, Richard Vandersteen has addressed what he heard using Townshend podiums under his loudspeakers in this comment previously posted here, and originally posted in your Vandersteen forums thread.

In my rooms it caused dynamic compression and smearing because the speaker enclosure moves. It does make the sound less bright and the sound stage gets more diffuse (larger but less defined) which may sound better with some speakers especially if like most speakers the tweeter is too bright.

Will podiums have the same affect on your 5A loudspeakers in your system and room? You’ll have to try them yourself.

I’d definitely go with podiums versus bars or individual pods. Townshend advises this for better stability.

BTW...I used Starsound platforms under Silverline Sonata III loudspeakers: expansive three dimensional image floating free of the speakers, tighter and more controlled bass. You’d definitely need a few helpers to install those.

Another option are A/V RoomService EVP constrained layer footers.

For those who might want to read R. Vandersteen’s comment:

I have tried to duplicate Townshend’s test results but was unable to measure the amount of movement of the floor in the lab or my home (was unable to sinc the test with a earthquake even though I am in Calif). Both locations are concrete floors directly on the ground. If ones floor has significant tympanic movement from some source (music, subway, train, freeway ,etc) spring isolation tuned to a very low frequency may allow the speaker to more accurately pressurize the room with music’s information. In my rooms it caused dynamic compression and smearing because the speaker enclosure moves. It does make the sound less bright and the sound stage gets more diffuse (larger but less defined) which may sound better with some speakers especially if like most speakers the tweeter is too bright. The ultimate goal is for the speaker to be held in space as rigidly in space as possible so that any movement in any of the speakers drivers is not modified but a facsimile of what came from the amplifier. Like usual this will vary in different situations but in IMO 3 points works best in most situations.

RV

Vandersteen forum - Has Anyone Tried Townshend spring platforms under Vandersteens?

@stringreen, you seem to want to try Townshend podiums. Do it. Why not? Report back once you have them installed.

Seems to me, when it comes to Vandersteen loudspeakers, the best advice comes from Richard Vandersteen. He's a very thorough designer.

If a Vandersteen owner reports results using Townshend podiums, then that will offer some further insight.

Until then, I'd go with RV.