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Footers under big heavy speakers (Stillpoints Ultra 5, Sistrum rack, Finite Elements,..?)

Revisiting isolation and coupling for my main system, I wonder if I would try better coupling devices than the large Symposium Svelte shelves (19"x24") I currently have under my Duntech Sovereign 2001s with 21" w x 35" d wooden base, weighing 360lbs each, which in turn rests directly onto wooden floor. My room was pretty lively before the isolation/coupling and I need better coupling/draining of energy for the speakers. 

What would you suggest?

I could try four Stillpoints Ultra 5 with base under each speaker or what I hope to be at least equally good and more economically is a pair of Sistrum rack platform (using AudioPoints 1.5) that measures 22.75"x 26.75" (I don't think their standard speaker stands can provide enough balance). I could buy a Sistrum SP-4 rack and use two platforms for my speakers. This would be budget wise the same if I would buy two Apprentice SP-SA-XL-4-1.5 (18"x24") as I am looking for a new rack for my second system (Home Theater). 

Star Sound seems to be a very reputable company but earns less coverage than, e.g. Stillpoints. 

The third and probably least talked about solution would be Finite Elements Cerabase but I find less buzz here on the Gon.


128x128jazzonthehudson
mark_nz
48 posts
 
Also adding my more recent experience with StillPoints under B&W 800 Diamond.

The 800 Diamond is so heavy and stable that I initially left it with the steel ball rollers on the carpet (suspended chipboard floor).

I then replaced the rollers with StillPoints Ultra Fives which improved mid-range quality and micro-dynamics. No significant change to bass quality.

Unlike the 803 Diamond, I didn’t need to use a platform with spikes for stability due to the huge 800 speaker base!

Again my experience is that optimal positioning of the speakers is more important than any isolation.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 

Good work knghifi, these Titanium Cone/Spike Decoupling Glider will be the way to go if you have a suspended floor and you still want to use your speaker spikes. Some very good feedback from purchasers with suspended floors.http://herbiesaudiolab.net/csglider.htm

I changed my order to Giant Titanium Cone/Spike Decoupling Glider.   Should arrive this week,

My 23'x33'x15' family room is all hardwood floor on top of garage.  I don't have booming issues or one note bass with current speaker but curious if decoupling will yield any improvements


As from what I can see the Stillpoints wouldn’t be right for a suspended floor as they don’t decouple from it at all, they actually couple, and nowhere on their site do they even get into decoupling for suspended floors.

I thought Stillpoints do decouple in TAS RH review? 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I thought Stillpoints do decouple in TAS RH review?


Unless there’s a hidden "rubberized isolation" section within the two sections of the Stillpoint.

There is something between the two sections, but I was told this is just ball bearings, if so they wouldn’t de-couple from the floor.

As to de-couple you need something soft between the two sections that won’t transmit into the floor.

http://www.analogueseduction.net/user/ASTILLULTRA5ksjdhfgf.jpg

Think of engine mounts on a car, they are nearly all made with rubber de-coupling from the chassis, some esoteric ones are de-coupled using fluid. Any hard mount would make for a very uncomfortable ride.

Cheers George

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ball bearings can provide isolation, especially in the rotational directions, just like other roller bearing or ball and socket type isolation devices such as Dharumas and even steel springs which are not rubber type material now that I think about it. It would depend on how the ball bearings are implemented in the design as to whether they were an isolating element.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,008 posts
 
Ball bearings isolate in the lateral/rotational plane (to what frequency determined by the steepness of the wall of the "bowl" they are placed in), couple in the vertical.
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