Wool Felt Footers?


I am curious whether any of you have tried using thick wool felt as footers, or as a vibration damping layer under equipment.  I view the material as performing a similar function as the Owens Corning 703/704 material that AV Room Services, Ltd. uses in their Equipment Vibration Protectors, or EVP footers (link).

According to AI:

"Yes, wool felt is an effective vibration damping material due to its unique structure and properties. It absorbs vibrations, reduces noise, and is suitable for various applications, including automotive and industrial uses. 

Wool felt’s porous structure and the way its fibers interlock allow it to absorb and dissipate vibration energy, converting it into heat.  The same properties that make it a good vibration damper also make it a good sound insulator. It can effectively reduce noise transmission..."

What I have tried so far is placing a one-inch thick layer of dense wool felt completely beneath the platforms that are supporting a heavy Aries Cerat Helene DAC (90+ lbs. including the brass damping discs on the top) .  The one-inch thick felt is attached to and positioned directly beneath a Zoethecus Z-slab (constrained layer platform), which supports a Black Diamond Racing shelf (carbon fiber) on which the Helene DAC sits.  Right now the footers supporting the DAC are platinum silicone hemispheres but I may try other options, including footers made from the one-inch thick felt.

mitch2

Ultra Transparent being produced is a very particular preference for a certain selection of individuals, most want a sense of having moved towards being transparent with a end sound, but are also very secure in their acceptance of a colour influence being present.

It is each to their own, when added Color is to be cut off.

There are a selection of Colourations that can be produced, but to keep it simplified I will refer to it as follows:

1, A detectable hint of Weight that is at the base of the notes and vocals, which is able to influence the tonal character that is noticeable for being present. 

2, A noticeable weight that underpins notes and vocals, which is influencing the tonal character to a point that is very noticeable for being present. 

3, A weight is present and undeniably attached to notes and vocals, which is influencing the tonal character and frequency range to a point that it is present and can be overwhelming.

Creating a Supporting Structure for the System and then working with support for individual devices will enable systems in use using the above influences, to be tuned to meet ones personal preference for how a Color is able to influence the end sound produced. Creating this influence is not limited to to the Structure Only, the structure when working for the individual will be the gathering of the reigns, and created influences will become gathered/ tidied up. 

Measurements of a materials interaction with transferred energy are a guide only, but experiencing options in use, supplies a tremendous opportunity to attain the optimised support set up for the individual.   

@pindac 

"Creating a Supporting Structure for the System and then working with support for individual devices will enable systems in use using the above influences, to be tuned to meet ones personal preference for how a Color is able to influence the end sound produced." 

I agree with your thoughts.  My racks are very solid and stable on their own so the supporting platforms and footers may provide nuanced variations or colorations reflecting the individual materials and design.  In the case of the heavy DAC where I have used the wool felt, there are two platforms under that DAC, the very stiff BDR shelf and beneath that the constrained layer Z-slab.  The wool felt isolates the two platforms from the stand.  I suspect the density and thickness of the felt material also influences the resulting effect.  The felt I used is quite dense and firm, probably similar to an F5 or maybe F7 (although the source did not provide the rating), and is a full one inch thick. 

The actual footers under the DAC are currently platinum silicone hemispheres operating within the suggested weight range, so those probably provide an elastic spring-like effect.  I may try different footers such as felt pads as discussed by @helomech or maybe one of the stiffer options from Herbies since I have quite a few of their products around here.  The footers that came with the expensive DAC were basically bog-standard aluminum footers you can purchase from Amazon so I am interested to hear whether other materials will have a different sonic effect.

I use hockey pucks with furniture felt rounds from Amazon attached to the bottom of the pucks under a few pieces of my equipment. Certainly cost effective.

@cbrez - hockey pucks are vulcanized rubber and many here have reported good results over the years from using them beneath speakers.  I like the idea of putting felt pads on the bottoms if you have hard floors, or to allow components to slide on their shelves.  3M double sided 9448A tissue tape or 3M foam tape would probably work to adhere the pucks to the underside of speakers, stands, or components.

Much of this stuff that companies charge big bucks for can be accomplished with everyday products but some are not comfortable experimenting and others like the finished look of manufactured products.

I know from past experiences that both Squash Ball Hemispheres and Hockey Pucks have been used by individuals within the Plinth for a TT and to mount the Plinth on.

Balls and Pucks having spent their energy are also recommended and should not have a cost. Speak to a Local Sports Centre where Squash is played or the local Hockey Club and either will happily assist with collecting the Spent Energy Balls or Pucks.

Another Cheap version to be effective as a footer is in the Link described in Item 7& 8 in the List with directions. The same can be achieved using a Spoon with Handle removed and the Steel Ball, there are plenty of these simple design footers in use, but unfortunately there are large and unnecessary price tags for the items. .

https://barrydiamentaudio.com/vibration.htm