Another anti vibration solution -Primacoustics
These platforms have been more effective than I'd hoped for my bottom ported Zu Omen Defs to eliminate floor vibrations. They were (I think) developed originally for studio monitors that sat on desks and consoles.They are available in multiple sizes and consist of two inches of polyurethane foam, a heavy steel plinth,and neoprene rubber on top (non skid grip).The 17" x17" I bought were $299 each.For those on a strict budget you could fashion a close facsimile except for the steel. Substituting mdf wouldn't prevent the recoil 100% as well as the steel that curves around the front.
My listening space is the living room in a very old home with wood walls,wood floor over a basement, and even wood ceilings. I do have GIK room treatments and foam decorative tiles on the ceiling.
What I was hoping for was to tighten the bass and eliminate a lot of the vibration that transfers to the floor. What I got was so much more. Not only did the bass tighten up significantly, the entire frequency spectrum cleaned up and became clearer. The only way I can describe it is like all of my music has been remastered and cleaned of noise. I'm now thinking seriously of purchasing more for my subs,which would've been the best place to start but I knew the bottom ports on the ZUs needed to be addressed sooner or later.
The music I listened to isn't really significant as everything was simply clearer and cleaner no matter what instrument or vocalist.My best CDs from Analogue Productions and MoFi - Otis Spann,Janis Ian,Pink Floyd, along with the old blues and rock that I love - James Gang,BB King,Hot Tuna.
System: Cambridge transport, Audio Mirror Dac
Rogue RP1 preamp
Aric Audio Transcend amp
ZenWave cables
Custom rack RusticIndustrialMi
GIK room treatments
@fleschler @relayer101 this is what I posted on AudioCircle earlier today.There are a few more details I can add.Being afraid of scratching them up and making them unreturnable I had help tipping and *walking* my 100lb Zus in position. I taped the position on the floor knowing the platform would shift around. Piece of cake though! Only spent about five minutes per speaker. The drier sound mentioned in the video I was concerned I would not like at all if it detracted from the music, but now I understand what the guys meant and it's not a bad thing. Piano music for instance, it became distinct when a note stopped and started along with when the pianist applied the pedals for a lingering note. Just like it's supposed to.Textures and timbres are more distinct but nothing jumps out at me in an unnatural way. The soundstage is better with more air around each instrument.The bass is sublime. I think you guys would like like them and I recommend them to any Zu owners reading this. I ordered mine from B&H Photo and they were delivered in seven days.
Thanks for the information. What are you using to provide the space between the bottom of the speaker and the Primacoustics platoform to allow the port to breath? I see that some of the Zu speakers come with a platform under the speakers with some type of spacers to allow an airway for the ports. Thanks.
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Another option to solve this type of problem is solid granite. I have Vandersteen Quatros which have a built in powered sub that's tunable to the room. I also have my system in a room built in 1895. The floor was basically acting like a giant reflex driver. The whole house would shake. I got 18x24x3 inch granite slabs meant to support heavy machinery and put the speakers on those. Bam. No more bass management issues. Theass of the granite stabilizes the floor. And they look cool. I think the pair was 150 plus shipping. The shipping was freight to a local pick up spot. It ended up being about 300 all in for the pair. One of the greatest tweaks I've made. |
I think the price is nuts but here you go.
Plinth Kit | Zu Audio | Hi-Fi audio speakers and cables hand built in the USA
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Interesting. I have my Thiel speakers on a wood floor (carpet covered) and have been trying various isolation/decoupling solutions. I tried this:
And was hopeful, but unfortunately it was probably the least successful device I tried. Didn’t do really anything good for the sound (if anything, made it a bit more mushy). YMMV. |
@rmdmoore I thought about granite slabs too,but if they didn't work out then what would I do with them? Maybe a grave marker;-) |
Further adventures in isolating my subs which are two HSUs and one SVS.Rather than DIY I ordered two brands of platforms(Auray and Vibeboss) from Amazon, both with foam,MDF,and neoprene.The Auray oddly enough caused the music to have a horrible glare,even when just using one.The foam was not as firm as the other brand, which worked much better. The HSUs are 22" long and using two Vibeboss under each so all four feet were resting on them reduced the glare, but using just one directly against the bottom with no feet touching was even better. The winning combo was something that I was sure wouldn't work but I had to try,a pair of IsoAcoustics Apertas 200 speaker isolators that have been sitting in the closet collecting dust for a few years. They're rated for up to 75lbs and the HSUs weigh 85lbs.The glare disappeared completely. The Vibeboss is staying under the SVS.Music is a couple of steps cleaner and clearer.I might try a IsoAcoustics sub platform later on but right now I'm really happy with with the sound. The Apertas were around $200 a few years ago, the platform was $39.I'm satisfied enough that I'm not compelled to try other options now.Famous last words again:-) |
So not being able to leave well enough alone I bought three more Primacoustics and tried them one at a time under each of the three sub.First under the SVS.The result was more articulate bass that went a little deeper. Under the first HSU the best configuration was Primacoustic under the front flat against the bottom with the IsoAcoustics Aperta under the back section(they happen to be the exact same height). Also I had to open one of the two ports and lower the volume. Both ports closed made the low notes stop and start unnaturally fast.I didn't expect doing the same with the second HSU would make much difference but it certainly did. The worst sound was when the feet were resting on the platforms. Also the platforms in front and the Vibeboss platforms in back were horrible - a too loud thumping bass.It was interesting to hear how changing how the floor and walls "sang" along with the speakers and subs was so obviously different. What improved with the addition of more recoil platforms was better articulation throughout the entire frequency spectrum. The timbre of each instrument is much easier to hear.Organic and effortless is a good description.Well worth the cost to further tame my room. |
The best reviews I’ve ever read for any isolation device ever Is of Townshend Seismic products… But, if I was looking for most bang for the buck I’d look at these guys… Best of luck. |
Townshend Seismic platform fan here. One of the mods I've done that made me go wow. I'm a big believer in spring isolation vs various anchoring techniques like spikes and then there is the rubber options which are half way in between. Of course it depends on what the speaker designer incorporated into the design (assuming they did). But my experience is that the spring platforms let the speaker vibrate like it wants to and sing like an opera star. Sounds like for $299 you got a good value, but to get the rest of the way there go springs. Jerry |
Townshends don't work so well with bottom ported speakers. The video that inspired me to try these particular platforms demoed Townshends, Gaias, and Primacoustic under speakers and subs.Primacoustic was the clear winner under the sub.Townshend under the speakers (not bottom ported) was superior. After trying several footers,springs,ceramic tiles over time these platforms work best for me. I'm very glad to be done lifting those HSUs now:-) |
