Dougunn
pfm Member
I've been an audio geek for 30+ years. In the more recent of these I have enjoyed questioning and re-evaluating many of the 'rules' I picked up along the way. Key steps have included moving on from vinyl, realising the (hi-fi) world isn't flat - and replacing a growing stack of Naim boxes for a streaming/server/DAC and active ATCs system.
Just when I thought I cleansed myself of all of my (mainly 80's) hi-fi 'truths' along came another holy cow that seemed reassuringly logical and unassailable . . . .
Loudspeakers should be rigidly mounted and not be able to move at all.
It started with reading threads about decoupling speakers from suspended floors and the amazing results some (well heeled) souls have experienced with Townsend Seismic Podiums etc.
Always curious I wondered what this might do to/for my ATC SCM25s. . . .
Long story short, I fitted a sheet of 10mm toughened glass to the top of my speaker stands (an open steel frame style made to order to fit the ATCs) and in between this and the speakers I put three sorbothane feet. Lots of research demonstrated the need to correctly calculate the right level of springiness/compression required and the size and durometer rating of each 'foot'. This is important to ensure the sorbothane provides the maximum vibration absorbtion/isolation.
The result looks like this:
The combination is only slightly wobbly; it will move a little if you push the speaker but is otherwise quite 'stiff'. I have to say I'm pleasantly suprised by the results.
The immediate change is a noticably more relaxed sound - almost as if the volume has been reduced. But the thing I am enjoying most it what appears to be greater resolution, I feel I can hear much more going on and imaging feels more palpably real - the acoustics in a recording space/venue seem much more apparent. Music has a flow that was not there before.
I'm aware that maybe I'm hearing what I want to hear (expectation bias) but I do feel there is something here. Either way, everything I am playing right now is bringing a smile to my face and that's what its all about isn't it?
I'm curious if others have tried anything similar and what their experience was?
Just when I thought I cleansed myself of all of my (mainly 80's) hi-fi 'truths' along came another holy cow that seemed reassuringly logical and unassailable . . . .
Loudspeakers should be rigidly mounted and not be able to move at all.
It started with reading threads about decoupling speakers from suspended floors and the amazing results some (well heeled) souls have experienced with Townsend Seismic Podiums etc.
Always curious I wondered what this might do to/for my ATC SCM25s. . . .
Long story short, I fitted a sheet of 10mm toughened glass to the top of my speaker stands (an open steel frame style made to order to fit the ATCs) and in between this and the speakers I put three sorbothane feet. Lots of research demonstrated the need to correctly calculate the right level of springiness/compression required and the size and durometer rating of each 'foot'. This is important to ensure the sorbothane provides the maximum vibration absorbtion/isolation.
The result looks like this:
The combination is only slightly wobbly; it will move a little if you push the speaker but is otherwise quite 'stiff'. I have to say I'm pleasantly suprised by the results.
The immediate change is a noticably more relaxed sound - almost as if the volume has been reduced. But the thing I am enjoying most it what appears to be greater resolution, I feel I can hear much more going on and imaging feels more palpably real - the acoustics in a recording space/venue seem much more apparent. Music has a flow that was not there before.
I'm aware that maybe I'm hearing what I want to hear (expectation bias) but I do feel there is something here. Either way, everything I am playing right now is bringing a smile to my face and that's what its all about isn't it?
I'm curious if others have tried anything similar and what their experience was?