VR4 JR and VIBRAPODS... Good or bad match up?


Hello,

Having recently stumbled upon the advantages of isolation devices for components, I ventured to the VIBRAPOD website... even made a call to them... they pointed out there were some mentions of their use with previous VR speakers. the Vibrapod rep said I could even use them to replace the rubber points separating the top and bottom modules! Amazing!

Isolate speakers? I thought. No. Join them to the floor, that's what everyone I talk to says...

So how about it? Anyone use Vibrapods or the like with a positive outcome on their speakers? I sure would like to find the outcome of how this has helped or hindered others.... and to what effect.
blindjim

Showing 1 response by jgiacalo

I've used vibrapods on my VR4JRs and while they sounded OK spikes were significantly better. However, I have a suspended wood floor with a thick carpet and did not feel that the supplied spikes from VS were adequate -- the first ones bent easily and the steel replacement spikes, while adequate were nothing special; especially since I've read that brass is superior to steel at dissapating vibrational energy as well as anchoring the speakers. I ended up buying inexpensive aftermarket brass spikes. Since they did not penetrate the carpet very well, for each speaker I put 6 #5 Vibrapods on the carpeted floor, placed a maple cutting board (@ $15 at Bed, Bath and Beyond)on top of the Vibrapods and the brass-spiked VR4JRs on top of that. This achieved isolation from the resiliant floor while still offering a firm base to anchor the VR4JRs. The resulting sound is outstanding. Don't forget to load each VR4JR with 40-50 lbs of lead shot which you can get at a gun shop for about $15/25lbs.

I havent tried V-pods between the lower and upper units but it sounds worth experimenting.

One tweak which also improves on an already fantastic speaker is to apply Walker SST electrical contact enhancer to each of the terminals of the bass, mid and tweeter driver terminals. You have to inscrew the speaker drivers to do this - you'll have to get the specialized screwdriver at an auto parts store - but it brings a significant improvement in transparency and speed.