Vibration isolation or absorption?

@whipsaw,  +1

Actually, Townshend Audio has been in business since 1975. Max started the company to manufacture and market a turntable design that was the end result of intense research into the playback of LP records led by Professor Jack Dinsdale at Cranfield University in England---the legendary Rock Turntable.

The original Townshend Audio isolation product was named The Seismic Sink (introduced in 1989), which was a top and bottom platform separated from one another by from one to three inflatable inner tubes, a very old idea dating back to the 1950’s (WWII-era audiophiles made their own, using bicycle inner tubes and paving stones). I placed my Rock Elite table on one for years---very effective. My Rock now sits on a platform supported by a set of four Seismic Pods, even more effective.

The current Seismic Pod, Bar, Platform, and Podium are state-of-the-art isolation products, the best on the market in the opinion of many. Not cheap, but priced lower than products by the likes of HRS.

Mr. @audiopoint

Thank you for all your comments. It would be of interest to see your system and how it’s configured with all this vibration stuff but I don’t see anything there.

It would be nice to see something on your system thanks

Atmasphere,

You missed my point. 

Killing vibration is stupidity because you cannot destroy it. 

I don't think so. Its pretty obvious something else is going on here that has nothing to do with vibration...

You seem to be taking a negative view on isolation and absorption merchandise sold by audio enthusiasts. And then in your final section you say that vibration management tools makes sense as part of the sound reproduction process.

Hello, emergingsoul,

Sorry for taking so long to respond to your post. 

I have witnessed many parts and products that change the sound of a system. Anyone working in this Industry since the 80s has gone through the get-rich-quick schemes using everything imaginable. I can change the sound of your system with a box of chicken bones. I can kill the live dynamics using too much material. It is easy to change the sound of any system.

The 90s exposed vibration control to a state of this product is better than that mentality. Snake oil was the most descriptive term in our sector of the marketplace. 

Nowadays, everyone is a vibration expert. Even wire companies have so-called experts in the field. A few short years ago, there was only a handful of us, so I have a few personal issues with our industry. Marketing and storytelling are the primary ones.

We use vibration as a tool to increase dynamics and harmonic structures. The downside to vibration is many of them combine to form resonance. Resonance is like glue clogging, sticking to, and blocking signal strength. The reduction and evacuation of resonance as it develops, in real-time, allows for more signal increase and sound quality to emerge throughout the system.

Can you please clarify what you’re saying and provide examples of how someone would improvement to eliminate vibrations that are detrimental too good sound reproduction, which I’m sure exist somewhere. 

Vibration is sound. The initial pulses contain all the harmonic structures and live dynamics we seek as listeners to obtain and maintain in our systems. 

Vibrations that lack efficient mechanical grounding systems develop various amplitudes of resonance. Resonance builds layers and propagates on all smooth surfaces. It clogs all signal pathways from mechanical, electro-mechanical, and acoustic.

The focus is to transfer these resonance amplitudes at high speed to Earth’s grounding plane hence direct coupling. All energy seeks ground - physics class 101.

Resonance is the culprit in our understanding. 

Vibration is the musical lifeblood.

Components, speakers, and listening environments vibrate and always will. 

Electricity provides the energy that establishes vibration. There are vibrational properties in all power sources, electricity being the most used by audiophiles.

The room structure will continuously vibrate. Everything vibrates, so it does not matter where the vibrations come from. Every type of energy is in a constant state of vibration and motion.

Jumping up and down in a listening environment is physically induced, creating additional problems. These are not good for sound or audio analogies. If an audible deterrent does not exist, do not make one!

my subwoofer cabinet directly vibrates my floor which causes vibration noise from things on my shelf, an aluminum window frame, loose knickknacks, but if I put a squishy isolator disc thing between the feet of the subwoofer and the wooden floor it tends to absorb the sub cabinet vibrations and improve dispersion of pressure amplitudes more evenly throughout the room which is ideal for a sub.

Good Point:

I used foams, rubber, Sorbathanes, sands, and other primary absorbent materials when working in recording studios in the 70s. These materials will eat all energy and provide a deader lifeless sound quality. Establishing geometry and producing a formula for adaptations on musical instruments and other hi-fi products using these materials is impossible to implement. They eat harmonics, dynamics, and vibrations but end up sounding dead.

We can improve your listening situation. I financially guarantee our work and products. 

I will work with you to teach, recommend products, and improve your system via personal contact.

We have worked with thousands of listeners and audiophiles studying vibration management, researching principles, and advancing product innovation. Before I become labeled a shill, call me and allow me the time to advance your knowledge and understanding of sound and musical quality.

Resonance Energy Transfer is a highly reliable technology. 

Robert