New Funk Firm Achromat Warped

Something further regarding my dish-warped Achromat. I just read the blurb sheet that came in the cardboard sleeve and it says this:

Occasionally uneven cooling results in minor warping. Like tyres, regrettably the material does not respond to being re-formed.

At least they do say: If your mat is deemed to be warped, let us know, we are happy to replace it.

Guess I'll be sending this one back. Sucks after waiting weeks to receive it. 

Yikes. I ordered a 7mm red one for my SL-1210GR direct from Funk Firm, as I could only find black here in the States. Here's hoping it isn't warped...

If its the 7mm APM you may be better off as I believe that has a glass substate that I'd expect to be flat. The lipped 5mm version I had for my 1200GR was flat and very good sounding IMO - so I think you'll enjoy the results with your GR.

The one I just received was the 5mm standard foamed acrylic mat. As you can see from the pic below its dish warped and contacts the platter only on the label area. I didn't try sticking it down with the Funk supplied adhesive dots as I want to retain the ability to swap mats - plus don't know if the dots would actually hold it down. I think its unreasonable for a rigid turntable mat at this price not be flat - that's a primary criteria in my book. I contacted my dealer and arranging a replacement.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nlen08tuigrmg3w/20220407_111640_resized.jpg?dl=0

throw it in the dumpster.  ruined the bass on my turntable.  

mats are best used to damp the audible tonearm resonance that can color the midrange.  

the way to test this is to play bass beat music with vocals at higher volume to make the differences more obvious.  

compare bass impact, bass note definition and vocal midrange clarity. 

the achromat on my technics seemed to blur and cancel bass notes, reduce their sharpness and impact and fog the midrange.  

try another, there are clear winners out there for the latest technics tables. 

I eventually went with the Boston Mat on my SL 1200G.