Speaker Isolation -- Experience with Townshend Seismic Isolation Podiums


Over the past several months the new Townshend Seismic Isolation Podiums have been receiving some interesting and positive press. Living as I do in both an earthquake zone (Pacific NW) and in a busy urban setting with a lot of rumble from construction and passing vehicles I thought these could be worth exploring for my setup. As I was not able to find a US distributor I purchase direct from the UK (via Analogue Seduction, highly recommended). I placed an online order, with follow up to confirm the size and weight of my speakers and about six weeks later they turned up on my doorstep (the platforms are made to order with loading on the cells specific to the weight of your speakers)

The Isolation Podiums are basically four load cells attached to a robust platform onto which you stand your speakers. While not cheap ($2500 for the size I needed) they are very well designed and easy to use. For example I was concerned about being able to move my 275lb Magico Q3s up onto the platforms -- actually it was easy as the platform at 20mm is lower than the speaker spikes so it was simply a matter of unscrewing each spike and shuffling the speaker across. Once onto the platforms fine leveling was easily possible by adjusting each load cell. All in all the podium system is very well designed and works exactly as intended.

But how does it sound? With several days listening experience I cannot recommend this product too highly for anyone who wants to hear the best from their speakers. My room is custom designed with a concrete slab floor so a solid surface but of course subject to external vibration. Prior to the podiums I'd been enjoying deep and dynamic bass but had occasionally felt that the sound became congested in more dynamic and complex material. With the podiums all of this clears up. First impression may be of less bass but as is typically the case this was a result of a reduction in boom and smear and instead more of the open sound of real bass (think of a bass drum as being more "whoof" than "thump" after the initial leading edge - too often the sense of large volumes of air being displaced is lost. In addition I became much more aware of all the rhythmic leading edge detail in bass guitar passages, all the little cues the bassist is putting in. Furthermore it became much easier to resolve bass alongside other instruments. Example in point "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Nancy Harms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd4tQrndlFw). This opens with deep full bass which is a first test but then quickly becomes quite a crowded and in many systems overloaded mix. With the podium in place all of the instruments became much easier to separate and what had been a congested and even edgy mix became clear.

One final and unexpected change is how you can now more easily hear the recording venue. Listening at the start of recordings the sound of the room itself is a very low level mix of rumbles which (when it's present on the recording) is all too easy to lose -- the podiums help uncover this detail and create a much greater sense of real instruments in space. All in all I'd recommend you give these a try and no need to believe in voodoo to buy in to this tweak.
128x128folkfreak
@folkfreak  and other members who are using the Seismic Isolation Podiums / Platforms:

My speakers (Cube Audio Nenuphar) are bottom ported and are designed with a tilt (higher in the front). They come stock with spikes in front and small rubber bumpers in the rear. There is a gap from the floor of approximately 1.5 inches in the front and 0.5 inches in the rear.

Has anyone used Townshend's solution with the spikes on the speaker? Can one 'spike' directly to the platform or is it best to use a protective puck?

I've emailed Townshend regarding the same. 

Thanks!
Hi @david_ten 

You should buy the platform instead of the speaker bars.  My speakers are also bottom ported with a tilt backwards.  

Your speaker has spikes and rubber stops. The Townshend platform will help to retain that exact same spec.  You can spike directly into the platform.  

Just make sure you get an appropriately sized platform for your speaker.

The platform is really effective! Beautiful, cohesive sound.
@shaizada   Thank you!

Platforms, then! : )

Are the platforms thick/solid enough to take the spikes directly? Or should I protect with spike protector discs?
You are welcome.  Yes, the platforms are solid steel I think.  They will easily handle your speaker load.  The corner pods are rated for different weights. When you order, make sure your speaker weight falls within the range of pod that is ordered.  

Mine are are green dots. 

Your dealer will help you with that.