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Coupling vs. Decoupling for Bass Response

My work system is in the hay loft of a converted 100 year old horse barn. The floor is wide pine planks over wood beams and shakes with just the footsteps of someone walking across it. Needless to say it does not help my bass response. I have my LaScalas in this room, which are not exactly known for low bass in the first place. They have a rather large footprint (I believe around 2X3 feet). Any suggestions of some simple (re: inexpensive) ways to get back some of my bass that the floor is eating up? I'm currently using three cones under each speaker, but I'm thinking coupling may be counter-productive. I'm guessing that I should be looking at a means of decoupling. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Marco
jax2
jax2 OP
3,031 posts
 
X- seems like you are using the stiffer variety of PE foam. I would have guessed the more squishy one is the one to go for as it would seem to offer more decoupling effect. Here's an online U.S. retailer with a description of the different types of PE foam available.

Marco
gregm
3,409 posts
 
While you're decoupling them from the floor, why not couple them to the ceiling?? I do mean suspend them -- if you have beams that can take the weight.

Stop laughing, I'm serious. Cheers.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Marco, is this the system you have posted with Diesel in the picture? Nice barn! Just kidding.

I would try the simple approach first. Get big pieces of MDF and place them under the speakers. My idea is to spread out the weight of the speakers the floor joists are trying to support. The reason I suggest this is so that you can see if this cheap idea yields any positive results before investing a lot of time and money attacking it in a similar manner.

If the floors are old and creaky, platforms constructed of heavy materials may compromise the safety of the entire loft. Buy one sheet of 4" x 8" 1" thick MDF and cut it in half so you'll have a 4x8 under each speaker. If that doesn't work you might have to try two 4x8s under each.

Try the cheap simple way first! Or get Diesel to curl up in front the creakier of the two speakers.
jax2 OP
3,031 posts
 
Gumby - Yep...the WAF finally got to be too much at home and I moved that system to my studio where there's more space. It improved the soundstage with much more room for the Scala's to breath around them. But the bass suffers, per the thread. My thinking exactly on the MDF. Actually, my wife got me a yoga matt for my birthday a short while ago. I guess she was hoping I'd use it for yoga!? It's just collecting dust somewhere. It's made from PEF...now where did I put that box cutter?

Marco

PS The home system is now Wright Sound AG1000 pre. Mono 10 amps, and Soliloquy 5.3 speakers. Very nice. Not as fast as the other system, but has it's own merits. Matches the smaller room better. WAF is high with the 5.3's, but the Mono 10's on their sandboxes remain a thorn... though, much to her credit, she does not complain nearly as much as she likes the sound, and surely prefers the size of these speakers.
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