erik_squires, the Townshend podiums on a different level better than the isoacoustic Gaia, the iso acoustic only isolate down to I believe 20 Hertz the Townsend podiums isolate down to three Hertz so with the guy is your speakers are still shaking from the vibrations of the Earth, go read up about it you'll understand what I'm talking about the podiums are three times as expensive as a guy but everybody that's tried both has said that the podiums are on a different level better.
Has anyone had experiences good or bad with speaker isolation or isolation in general ?
i have been enjoying buying and listening to hifi for some 35 years now and have seen many items come and go.I have also been interested in the audio cable discussions and i agree that cables do make a difference how much of a difference is a very individual, and a system dependent situation. There has been nothing that has got me so excited and improved the sound of my system that has ever made me want to really share it with fellow audiophiles until i started to try various isolation products.With so much choice from affordable to very expensive i found the hole subject very confusing and i did not know where to start. After trying lots of various products all shapes and sizes with very different results i decided to read reviews which is something i do not usually do to get some advise.I read a review on the Townshend audio seismic podiums they are isolation platforms that go under your speakers .This company is very famous for isolation ideas and have been around some 50 years based here in the UK they also had a factory in the USA back in the 1980s. I contacted Nick at Emporium hifi and he agreed to install a pair for me so i could have a listen. My speakers are sound-lab dynastats which i use in quite a small room but with the adjustments give a nice sound. After installing the podiums we both sat down with jaws hitting the floor these podium things completely transformed the sound of my system to absolute perfection. After all this time trying various products under my equipment i have now isolated my speakers and the sound quality is exactly what i believe we all are chasing, my sound-labs are now transparent no more bass problems i have just got one big 3D sound stage the dynastats are now very open with deeper much better bass everything is perfect. I now believe isolating your loudspeakers is the first port of call i was so impressed by the Townshend audio seismic products i now sell them as i have never come across anything that has given my system such a great upgrade , the sound is the same as before but now its just so much better its playing deeper bass but tighter much more resolution and no boom , the midrange is so much more human sounding realistic and spacious with the top end so refined and perfect , is anyone using podiums and had the same experiences i would love to hear from you thank you john
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http://hifipig.com/townshend-audio-engineering-seismic-speaker-bars/ Here is some interesting reading of the some Townshend Audio Seismic Speaker Bars for those that cannot stretch or accommodate the Podiums |
Hardness of audio cone materials. The numbers are on the Mohs scale of hardness where 10 is diamond, the hardest material. Notice how the hardness of these materials correlates with the relative effectiveness of various cones I posted yesterday in terms of sound quality improvement. Lead 1.5 Carbon Fiber 2 Aluminum 2.5 - 3 Brass 3 Steel 4 - 4.5 Glass 5.5 Ceramic Tile 7 Hardened Steel 7-8 Tungsten 7.5 NASA grade ceramics DH Cones 9.5 |
Audiopoint Robert,yes I do believe you are right,I always wanted to do that but they were a pricey item I forgot about and should have done soon after I bought the speakers.I wonder if there is a set made with interchangeable screw in mounts so they could be used on other speakers if I ever sold mine. |
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I agree with the last poster that the SPEED of mechanical vibration EVACUATION is an important issue. I also agree that the MATERIAL used for the cone is important. I also would add that the SHAPE of the cone is important. When one employs proficient VIBRATION ISOLATION in the system A PRIORI it’s much easier to differentiate among all of the myriad types of cones, footers, and all the various materials and shapes of CONES. In the interest of saving everyone a lot of time and effort and expense I offer the following ranking for a number of audio cones, in DESCENDING order of sound improvement. For the experimental among you try cones points up or two cones points down and one or two cones points up. This experiment should illustrate the diode nature of cones. Super size NASA grade ceramic cones with ballistic shape. Jumbo size NASA grade ceramic cones with conical shape. Large size NASA grade ceramic cones with ballistic shape Marigo diamond dust embedded cones. Hardened steel cones Aluminum cones Brass cones Carbon fiber cones Lead pyramids or cones geoff kait machina dynamica advanced audio concepts |
Hello Playpen, We would highly recommend removing the spikes and placing brass cones (partial to our designs of course) at the base of the speaker system. You will hear much more of what your brass tension technique is capable of in performance. The results will be extremely audible as a higher speed mechanical grounding pathway for resonance transfer is formed based on the material change and geometry of the cone in comparison to the spike you currently have in use. Not quite sure if the material used by the speaker manufacturer holding the spike connected to the speaker chassis is made of plastic or what the material is. If it is a polymer, you may want to experiment replacing those with brass configurations as well. The addition of a more resonant conductive material (brass) providing the thread inserts connecting the cones to the speaker enclosure will ‘yet again’ pick up more of the highly audible performance that your “out of the box” innovation methods are delivering. Very cool thinking and application of resonance management. You may consider using brasses made in the USA compared to imports as the metallurgy is far more reliable and is extremely significant when applying this material to musical reproduction products and processes - not all brass is or sounds the same. Wishing you the best success with your discoveries and designs. Robert Star Sound |
Playpen, I too did not have that picture of your dampening solution in my head. The cabinets produce their own sound into the mix by resonating, so it looks like you are dampening this by fine tuning the locations that will give you the best sound? For my DIY subs with the Isolation Bars, they come with an add-in dampening material called NoRez. It comes in sheets that you cut to size, and that I will add to the inside walls of my subs. The NoRez is backed by a very strong adhesive, so it's a one shot deal when applying. I'm hoping that I will like the sound more after I install it. Kenny |
The Vibraplane isolation stand employs a 100 lb weight in its design, but not as mass loading, the 100 lb dead weight preloads the air bladders so that lower resonant frequencies of the ISO system can be achieved. My Nimbus sub Hertz ISO platform also employed heavy mass for ballast for the same reason and additionally to lower the center of gravity of the Nimbus so higher loads could be stabilized and isolated. The Nimbus ballast mass was located about 2 feet below the single air spring. Mass loading, by contrast, cannot isolate the object from seismic vibrations since the entire house is moving. |
I forgot to mention I also loaded those brass vessels with more brass inside of them.This is the best modification I did with these speakers,and you have to experiment where the best placement should be. Yes I made my own speaker platforms out of heavy bowling alley I believe maple 30" by30" by 2" and 4 half " all thread rod nuts top and bottom to thread exact tweeter height on both speakers,just less than a half inch off will degrade sound.I can also tweek out slight angle adjustments by simply adjusting bottom nuts.But I found my platforms also needed reinforced brass under the speakers from floor to the maple.I further tuned up the stands with brass and 10 lb barbell weights on top.Nuts isn't it,well that's what I like to do being retired.I'll take pics of my DIY platforms. |
@playpen holy crunk, those weights are crazy! That was not what I was picturing. I love that they both look like vessels for consuming delicious alcoholic beverages. What better to tune your system with?! Well done on posting pics. I sure wish this forum let us post them on these threads directly. Are your speakers sitting on DIY is platforms? Because, if they are, I’d love to see a pic showing the whole setup. You seem to be a tinkerer extraordinaire! |
OK,thanks for the pic post info.Maybe I did do damping not isolation.I'll attempt a pic post tomorrow sunday.It's really quite simple,maybe it's just reinforcing the cabinet but I think it's reducing vibrations to the drivers.I did the same thing with my Paradigm studio V'2s with similar results.You have to experiment with different positions as some do nothing. |
That does sound interesting. I can’t really picture it in my mind’s eye though. @playpen you’ll have to post the pics on your system page and let us know. There’s no way to put pics in these discussions. Also, if you added weight, that would be damping, not isolation. Damping of speakers is a known path to improvement, so I’m very curious to see your methodology. |
Has anyone tried isolation on the front of the cabinet like I did?On my modest system with Paradigm studio 60V5's the best improvement beyond speaker base isolation was heavy brass weights and large brass strapped around the speaker under the air vent.Naturally covers have to be off and their is no damage done to the speakers.I have 2 spots on both speakers I did this with excellent results.Yes it looks odd but I'm after better sound not cosmetic appeal.The straps need to be secure and snug.This was the best improvement I did to those speakers. |
hi ken, just read your latest post, thank you for stating the facts and helping to put things straight you are a proper gentlemen, i have not mentioned any names but if audiophiles are interested in Townshend Audio products as you know if you mention my name it helps with the price, if i can help anyone i will, 35 years has taught me we should all stay together, its the audiophiles verses the dealers i would love someone to help me buy a brand new discounted product i was interested in, "Esoteric K-O1 230v anyone" if i was a dealer putting you onto my supplier to achieve nice discounts i would not be a very good one, If you still think i am a dealer Geoff then i have to say you have got very serious issues, your fellow members are telling you i am not, i am over passionate and have bad literature YES but a dealer NO. |
hi Audiogon, I am not a hifi dealer i am merely passing on my findings in a very confusing and daunting hifi market, be it speakers, cables, pre amps, amps, racks, isolation, damping, cd players , streamers, dacs, wall sockets, connectors, recordings, formats and whatever else is involved in our hobby our choices are never ending. If the podiums do for you as they have done for me and your search is over then i am glad i encouraged you to give them a audition after all that is what the forums are for sharing our passion and experiences. I am not making any money for starting this discussion, i am merely trying to introduce to you guys a great product from the UK. With countless isolation products over here in the UK choosing can be confusing until the Seismic Isolation Products hit the UK market it was spikes and various cones or blocks and platforms. I am not a dealer you can buy from the factory direct i was merely suggesting give them a go under your speakers as they do what they say. If you are interested in buying podiums i can save you a few quid just mention my name "john" just say you are a friend or fellow audiophile. Yes i do know the lovely people at Townshend Audio, i also know the GeniousTed Denney 111 i was one of hes first customers in the UK i purchased from Ted direct many years ago vacuum tube reference speaker cables i believe in green sheathing and an ac master coupler, Ted used to answer every call long before Elliot joined then Frank, Also Joe at JPS LABS is a great guy and Carl Nola speakers i was the only owner ever in the UK of hes Grand Reference 4 x 7ft Towers speakers, point being after being around as an audiophile for 35 years you are going to brush shoulders with designers as well as dealers. Anyway i never meant to start a fight if you are ready to pull the trigger on any Townshend Audio product say you now me "John" and your price will be lowered the higher the retail the more discount will be given good luck regards john |
It seems to me that I have seen designs similar to the Seismic Podiums for far less; but I can't find them at the moment. Nonetheless, Toddveronne and others who have a concrete floor under your speakers as I do, I have my 64 lb, 48" towers on a sort of home adapted spike. Carriage bolts with rounded heads are easier to move. If I place a pan of water on my speakers and jump on the floor there is not a single ripple visible in the pan. I weigh 200 lbs. Previously, I had them on 4 hard felt pads about 1.5 inches around and 0.25 thick. When I jumped There was a tiny ripple that dissipated immediately. I cannot hear much difference between the felt and the steel bolts, so I doubt that spending almost $3,000 for Podiums for my towers is gonna be jaw dropping to anyone but the vendor. |
All, Looks like I'm fortunate to have missed the posts that were removed. We may be confusing genuine enthusiasm, which we all seem to share here for this hobby, for something else. Eric, surely demonstrated that in spades when he pointed me towards my subs. When John, Geoff, and others pointed me towards the isolation devices. The end results of this enthusiasm, truly solved my problems and improved my SQ. I am under the impression that John is not really "selling" anything, but is actually helping us to procure products that he believes in, and truly enthusiastic about. And, he happens to know the Townshend folks very well. This is my sense of it, as he helped me to procure my isolation bars. Kenny |
GEOFF. I am in no way a dealer period, i of course have links to dealers i have been around some 35 years , buying hifi from dealers i feel is safer than chancing expensive mistakes without warranty, or paying strangers over the internet, Since hearing the effects of the podiums of course i am going to shout out ,best upgrades ever, for your information Townshend Audio sell direct to anyone just give them a call, you may find fellow members on here already have, i have not received no payments from anybody on audiogon for anything, i am passing on my findings, if anyone is interested i hope my experiences have helped fellow members, if anybody has paid me directly for any hifi products please can you tell Geoff, he does not like the fact Max Townshend has designed Ground breaking Isolation products, and i am telling you all about them, there is only one dealer on here and that is Geoff Kait the rest of us are genuine audiophiles, sharing our passion for our hobby. and lifestyle. |
Mains, are you that dense? You should not be promoting products you sell. Hel-loo! You don't really think it's that easy, do you? From your OP, "...the dynastats are now very open with deeper much better bass everything is perfect. I now believe isolating your loudspeakers is the first port of call i was so impressed by the Townshend audio seismic products i now sell them as i have never come across anything that has given my system such a great upgrade..." |
My my insults insults and more insults, i do not understand shilling but it sounds like your jealous As for my English this is not important you must be able to read it as you keep on telling me off, i am all about the music and creating that magic system that takes you there, over here in the UK we are experiencing groundbreaking isolation products, i am merely sharing the news. |
Hi sorry to all genuine audiophiles that read this, i must aim this at one person who is not happy about my sharing of a real world class product to Mr you know who you are, If you have run out of anything useful to say please say no more, it is obvious you have finished your journey in hifi, where like myself and 1000s of other audiophiles we are still enjoying ours, Most of the time i day dream about some of the really high end equipment that i could never own but i have nothing negative to say regarding the lucky people that can, you seem to have great knowledge of isolation and i am thinking you are a very intelligent person, all i can say to you is wheres your passion gone for hifi, the good old days were the good old days, time waits for no man, products improve if you have lost your passion towards hifi maybe its time to hang up them speakers, to me hifi is my life not my business, i have met some great friends threw my passion for hifi i can not think of one enemy except maybe yourself, you have added great knowledge to this discussion, if it was one of your products i was mentioning i guess you would hold back your negative comments, you have had 3 or 4 posts removed because they were of no interest in the discussion and were insulting, i am interested in any ones advice or opinion on anything that can help make the recorded arts sound realistic, if i have favorite products its because they have brought me closer to the sound of live music, placing my soundlabs on Townshend Audio Seismic Podiums is the biggest upgrade in sound quality i have heard from my system, i will not say any different for you or anyone else because its true and i hope all audiophiles out there still enjoying our growing hobby, life style, can now narrow down there search for isolation in a world where choice has made most purchases quite confusing, out of 1000s of different brands i am very interested to know which ones stand out, if i find a needle in the haystack i will pass on my findings to everyone who is interested. |
Now now girls put your claws away, it you can not bring anything better to the table or have nothing decent to say , then please say nothing, The discussion is an open discussion regarding my experiences and asking other audiophiles to share there experiences with speaker isolation or isolation in general, My very long journey ended with Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation, they are a 50 year old company based in the UK but back in the 80s i believe manufactured on USA soil of course the head of affairs is the great very passionate Audiophile/Engineer Max Townshend he is an absolutely wonderful gentleman that never says a bad word about anybody’s ideas or products, Please check out the youtube video spikes v Podiums, If you are a true audiophile this discussion is aimed at yourselves, i have been enjoying hifi for at least 35 years i have never owned a hifi shop or outlet, I am making no money from this discussion just passing on my findings regarding isolation, if you have purchased Townshend Seismic Isolation before this discussion or since this discussion you are know experiencing why i started this discussion in the first place, Townshend Audio Seismic isolation Podiums are a grand breaking product everybody should at least audition them under there own speakers at home if you want to truly hear your system at its very best, If you are a dealer/engineer yourself all the parts where out there for you to design your own Seismic Isolation Products, if your products were world class receiving magnificent reviews then there would of been a chance i could of read about them and maybe even had them recommended to me, but alas that is fiction, i am merely sharing facts and hopefully helping another audiophile experience the upgrade in sound i got, and enjoying. I will be starting a discussion regarding choice of High End cd/sacd/dvda players soon, i personally have owned La source, MSB tech, DCS, Wadia EMM labs and Esoteric to name a thew ,my favorite is the late Esoteric K03 with the built in volume the K01 was out of my budget , i suppose i will be accused of being a dealer of Esoteric as well |
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Yup Kenny, I've heard of Sorbothane pucks in place of springs in the HW-19, SIMS Navcom pucks as well, a set of which I still have. I'll be doing some experimenting. Roller bearings could fit in there! But that would leave coupling in the vertical plane, probably more detrimental than the lateral in a table. |
Kenny, maybe you could place the Townshend Seismic Bars front-to-back on your speakers, rather than side-to-side. Here's a question involving spring isolators, specifically with turntables using springs to isolate their floating platform (onto which are mounted the platter and tonearm) from their base/plinth (attached to which is the motor): with a table such as the VPI HW-19 (one of which I just acquired), which came from the factory with a spring under each corner of the floating platform, my concern is with adding another set of springs under the base, the folly of which I mentioned earlier in this thread. So what is a boy to do? I have no such apprehension at the idea of placing a set of roller bearings under the tables base, however, even with the tables springs in place. Replacing the four springs of the HW-19 with various isolators (such as the SIMS Navcom pucks) was common years ago, to what effect I don't know. Any comments or suggestions welcome!---Eric. |
bdp24 Like I said previously, it remains to be seen (or rather, heard ;-) how the IsoAcoustics products compare to the Townshend. The Seismic products very cleverly address vibrations coming at both speakers and components from below---Max is quite a mechanical engineer! Any mass-on-spring system operates as a two-way low pass filter. That’s why placing simple springs under speakers accomplishes the same thing. It’s also why you sometimes see air springs used as motor mounts in automobiles. The air springs prevent the vibrations from the motor from migrating to the chassis. That’s how my Super Stiff Springs work for subwoofers now that you mention it. What actually makes the Townshend thingies clever is being able to support high center of mass speakers without tipping over. It's the same problem I had 20 years ago supporting 40 lb on a single rather floppy air spring. |
No Kenny, I just learned of the IsoAcoustic company and their line of speaker bases, the GAIA, and now Iso-Pucks (sold individually for $30 apiece, and intended for components, not speakers) . The Pucks were just introduced last month at an industry event, and haven't made it to retail stores or online sellers yet, as far as I can tell. Guitar Center is an IsoAcoustics dealer! I buy some of my drum gear there, and they discount about a third off retail prices. I'm waiting for the Pucks to show up, to have a look at them. Like I said previously, it remains to be seen (or rather, heard ;-) how the IsoAcoustics products compare to the Townshend. The Seismic products very cleverly address vibrations coming at both speakers and components from below---Max is quite a mechanical engineer! |
Thanks, John. This is great information, but unfortunately I cannot use the seismic bars for isolation under my speakers. Only, a solution directly beneath and not protruding beyond the footprint of my speakers can be applied. And, that's one reason why I have the Symposium platforms. I think I will leave my speakers alone for now, because my system right now sounds pretty killer. Now, that I have solved my sub-to-turntable oscillation problem, I am enjoying the extra benefits of SQ from the isolation bars, so thanks John. I'm going to do some serious listening. Kenny |
hi ken the Gaia footers screw into the bottom of the speakers they provide damping so they may have slight movement, they are directly underneath where the pods of the speaker bars are wider than the bottom of the speaker so i believe would be more stable, i could be wrong but the Bars are underneath with the pods on the outside of the cabinet so the speaker would take some serious push especially if you screw the bars to the bottom of your speakers i fancy that would provide the best option for stability i already know which ones perform better but as they say horses for courses, i prefer isolation to damping i have had some negative results damping my equipment it was Geoff that explains the difference somewhere on this discussion very interesting reading.if you want to damp your speakers you could save yourself a fortune and use the Clearlight Audio RDC cones and multi bases check them out they are cheap but very good at damping also BFLY audio from Germany offer platforms and a footer that provides damping using layers of sorbothane cork and aluminium and bamboo i believe but not cheap, they will still not perform like the seismic bars but horses for courses good luck have a good look around, another well made footer is Track audio they are seriously well made but i believe are a type of spike and very expensive, if you are using the seismic bars for your subs and are happy with the performance i would personally stick with the same design for your speakers for system synergy i believe the answer would be screwing the bars to the holes already made in the underside of your speakers. Cerapucs and still points are quite expensive 880gbp for 4 stillpoint ultra ss, also im not to sure about stability the contact area is small it would be like your speakers are on tip toes. The seisnic bare only raise your speaker about the same height as a spike so your tweeter will be where you are used to, you can twist the bottom of the pods to level the each speaker. |
hi kenny , before you fire the trigger weight for the review of the Townshend Audio speaker bars in hifipig, the same reviewer Dan Worth has reviewed the isoACOUSTIC Giai footers and found they were damping rather than isolating, the reviewer has been there for 6 years has a very good system and has purchased the speaker bars already the ones he is reviewing, he also reviewed the Giai footers but did not buy so that tells me he prefers the seismic bars,i do not get excited over many tweaks but the seismic isolation products have transformed my system good luck with your choice. |
Todd, I checked out Eric's information about the IsoAcoustics Gaia feet that provide lateral isolation for speakers. I already use Symposium platforms under my speakers and they were a big improvement to the stock spikes and Herbie's discs that I previously used. I'm not sure if this is the time to throw more money at something without more knowledge. Eric - Do you know if the Gaia feet are a solid footing for speakers, so no wobble like the Townshend pods? I could not determine this from their website info. Kenny |
Kenny - keep us posted on your speaker isolation process. I'd like to isolate my speakers and the pods look great, but kinda expensive relative to my other equipment. I also have the problem of needing stability since one of my speakers sits next to the kids' playroom door. I'm happy you've sorted your sub feedback problem. I recently built spring suspended platforms for my tube pre and turntable and they have definitely made quite an improvement on the cheap. I can only imagine you'll hear improvements with commercially produced products. |
Eric, I have been conjuring up a number of solutions for my mono blocks that may include the isolation pods underneath. What my dealer sometimes uses at shows, is Shun Mook diamond resonators below, mpingo discs on top of transformers, and the tube resonators. I like the Shun Mook stuff, and have heard a buddy's system incorporating an assault of their products. These really helped to bring out the most of his system and really fine-tuned the room. Many, think this stuff is weird, yours truly as well, but it works. Albeit, there's a price to pay for it. In my situation, I'm now contemplating between the pods or resonators under my amps. Thanks, for the recommendation of the Iso-Pucks, I'll check them out as well as the other products. I have to stop buying tweaks after isolating my amps, because I have to purchase a new line stage as this is a needed final component for my current system. Kenny |
Thanks John, I’ll do that when I return from my trip next week down to SoCal to get the rest of my stuff and haul it up here to Vancouver. Kenny, the individual Seismic Pods can be used in sets of three rather than four, as long as their combined weight capacity is sufficient for the piece place on them. That plus not having to pay for the Seismic Bar or Platform makes them significantly cheaper. There is a new isolation product I just learned of that may provide some competition to the Townshend---IsoAcoustics Gaia (for speakers) and Iso-Puck (for components). How they compare remains to be seen. Other than the rather expensive electron microscope isolation tables from Newport and MinusK (over $2000), the only other isolators effective down to a very low frequency I’m aware of are 1- roller bearings, such as those made by Symposium Acoustics (New York) and Ingress Engineering (Canada). They provide a lot of isolation for their modest price ($85-$199 per set of three), but only in the lateral/horizontal plane, not the vertical, in which they are couplers. You therefore need to use in conjunction with them 2- springs of appropriate rating (such as those offered by Audiogoner Geoff Kait), which provide isolation in the vertical plane. The combination of the two makes for very effective isolation down to low single-digit frequencies, around 3Hz. Oh, I’ve already taken a look at your system pics Kenny, back when you contacted me about the OB/Dipole Sub. Very, very nice!---Eric. |
Bdp24, I'm not sure about my main speakers for the Bars, because I have no room to the side of the speakers for an extended pod. And, both of my speakers are bordering walkways. When I first placed the subs on the Bars, and I wobbled them around on the Bars like jello. I thought this was hilarious at the moment!!! A sub weighs 118 lbs without the Symposium platform, so it wiggling around as I pushed lightly was weird, indeed! I could not possibly have my main speakers in the way of dogs, kids, and the wife like that. - LOL Instead, I'm seeing my next step, besides stabilizing my rack, to add isolation to my amps. Any suggestions, including pods and besides the pods? See my system pic for advice. Kenny |
So Kenny, are you going to get the Seismic Bars for your main speakers as well?! I’m relieved the problem wasn’t with the OB/Dipole Subs themselves (I saw your recent posts about this subject on the AudioCircle GR Research Forum), as I recommended them to you ;-). I’m planning on getting some of the Seismic Pods myself, for under my own speakers, OB/Dipole Subs, turntable, and SACD player. If that pleases me, maybe for my tube pre and power amps as well. All it takes is money! I just bought (haven’t even received them yet) a pair of speakers I had been hoping to one day find, and have temporarily depleted my hi-fi fund. |