2. misc-audio
  3. 190933-114091

Want to build a rack with sandwich layered dampening

Hi all,

I considering constructing a very basic, small, low two shelf rack to accommodate my somewhat compact components to replace my rather resonant Pangea rack. Lower, not as deep and a bit wider to accommodate access, but also keep it low to preserve stage between the speakers in my smallish listening room. 
 

I’ve found some perfectly sized and precut maple (I think it’s maple will have double check). 3/4 to 1” boards that I’d like to sandwich together with screws, and place some sort of elastomer material between to control resonances. The legs would be basic but thick, and I’d probably just put spring isolators under them. Rack would be sitting on a raised hardwood floor. 
 

My question: would using a sheet layer of sound absorbing butyl or some type of elastomer in between help or potentially harm sonics? Reason I’m asking, I’ve found sorbothane to actually have an adverse effect under components, with say stack audio pucks instead a purely delightful improvement. I know we’re talking about a different application, but still would like to get some experienced thoughts on anyone that has done - or purchased - something similar. 
 

Big thanks in advance for anyone’s help! 
 

John 

riccitone

Showing 2 responses by riccitone

riccitone OP
229 posts
 

Thank you all,

these are some great recommendations and I really appreciate this…

@dekay I was actually looking into the Lack, a bit too deep but not out of consideration. It could also be slightly modified if needed. I was also looking at a Tiburon” entertainment/tv shelf that looked promising. Made of a thick kind of balsam I believe. It was an opposite problem in that it was only 9-10” deep. 
 

Thank you @bdp24 and @mitch2 for those materials to use as a constrained layer.  The green glue under a “floating” board is something I hadn’t considered. Cool idea. 

 

riccitone OP
229 posts
 

 

Some more really great ideas! Of course, more to think about. Which is fine since I’ve been obsessing over this for some time. Just to clarify, I’ve also got spring isolators and other products under my components, but will try more of the Stack Audio products soon. 
 

@terry9 Great suggestions, hadn’t thought through the fact that many products that dissipate component cabinet energy use a variety of materials (and even metallic sand). I’m already using Stack audio Auva EQ’s under my pre and they far surpass anything else I’ve tried. Would make sense to do this for the shelves as well. And yes, now seeing that screws would negate these efforts almost entirely. 
I’ll look into the M1 product for sure. 

@carlsbad2 I’ve been back and forth about exactly what you’ve suggested. Dissipation (constrained layering) vs resonance draining/tuning, or an effective ratio therein. Too much dampening seem to deaden sound as much as over damping a room. 
 

@dmk_calgary @brunomarcs @mitch2 

That might be a good way to go. Build just a simple maple rack and customize platforms under components. 
 

Thank you all! 

 

 

  1.  
More to discover