Isolation footers for ATC SCM100A


I just purchased a used pair of ATC 100A speakers, and they come with the manufacturer’s iron OEM stands.  On my current pair of ATC 40 towers, I’m using Herbie’s threaded Stud Glider footers for decoupling.

I’m considering using the Stud Gliders with the 100s, tapping thread holes into the stand bottoms, and perhaps also employing sorbothane pads where the speakers contact the stands.

Does that sound like a reasonable approach?  Or would there be an alternate way to use the Herbie’s footers?  Any advice welcome.

Thanks,

JAMES

jimboman

Congrats on some very nice speakers!  You might try these — they’re a bit more expensive than Herbies Gliders but still very reasonable and are probably more effective and maybe significantly so.  A member here tried them and found they made a big improvement on his speakers.

https://toughnutaudio.ca/products/accessories-tough-nut-isolation-cones/

Here’s an interesting review with them compared to several other options and some much more pricey.

https://youtu.be/32DrKCqLWkk?si=CSyYHShWhSFg2AcN

If you’re open to spending more then Townshend Seismic Podiums are well worth a look and wouldn’t require tapping holes into your stands, and I believe they offer a trial period.  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

Thanks @soix 

I’ve been interested in moving to active ATCs for awhile.  This pair of 100s are 30 years old, but they’ve been checked by an authorized ATC service department, and they’re in great shape.  So I couldn’t resist!

Thanks for the links.  I’ve been following the Toughnut thread, and have also seen the review. I’m definitely considering them (they’re also Canadian-based, which is where I’m located). Not sure if they offer a trial period?

I’d love to try a pair of Podiums, but alas, they’re a bit outside my budget range.

Best,

JAMES

  • Nice speakers. I have Townsend Seismic Podiums under my Tekton DI’s. I’m running size 3 with the appropriate pods for my speaker weight. They were $1600 delivered from England. It took 3 1/2 weeks from purchase to delivery. Support was outstanding and I am EXTREMELY PLEASED with the SQ improvement. Given other items I’d look at Stax Auva 100’s and Tought Nut products. With the metal bases I would definitely solicit info from those two companies about incorporating the stand into the equation. When I contacted Tough Nut regarding my speakers they steered me to the cylinders over the Nuts do to the size and height of my cabinets. Soberthane pads might be good with cylinders or footers. I was initially put off by the cost of the Townsends but after a long running post I went with the Townsends as they were the highest recommended item, but also the most expensive. Maybe read my resent post and look through the responses, it has a lot of info. Happy Hunting and please PM me for any additional info, Mike B. 

A Material worthwhile considering to produce a Sub Plinth or Sub Sub Plinth > Sub Plinth to mount the Speakers on is a Resin Impregnated Densified Wood Board, which has well known producers from Brands known as Panzerholz or Permali.

A more recent discovery has shown the material can be found with improved aesthetics as seen in the Link.   

REZYWOOD - gefärbtes, stabilisiertes & hochverdichtetes Ahorn Holz | Designholz 

There is quite a bit of info out there to assist with understanding why this material has been suggested.

Also as a user of the Material, It would be rude not to make known that very attractive End Sound is able to be produced with this material, when used as parts in a design for a support structure.

My only experience is with Isoacoustic’s and it’s been mixed. The Gaia One’s made a HUGE difference with my KEF Reference 5’s and a very slight difference with the Sonus Farber Amati G5’s.

BTW, what kind of floor is under your new speakers?

Thanks @buellrider97 for the info re your process, and the thread, which I've also been following.  I will definitely reach out to Stack Audio and Tough Nut to see what they recommend regarding the stands, etc.

And thanks @pindac for the note about the Resin board.  Will check out the link.

@curiousjim, thanks for reminding me to mention that the speakers will sit on a bamboo hardwood floor, on top of a concrete slab.  In this setup, I found the Herbie's Stud Gliders helped to focus the bass nicely.

Best,

JAMES.

Over 45 years I have tried spikes (‘80s), decoupling spring and bearing loaded footers (90s), and decoupling platforms (‘00s).  As a technology, platforms gave me the best performance.  The best I have found and my current reference is Townsend Seismic Platforms.   Read reviews and webpage claims regarding improvements in SQ. I can verify all are true. There are others on this forum use them as well, and I do not remember anything but positive comments.  Customer service was very helpful in sizing and specifying the right model for my speakers.