Sonus Faber Guarneri - will any aiddtional isolation be beneficial?

Hi Folkfreak,

I am looking at upping my isolation game by using something like the Townsend Podium or Corners in place of the Svelte Shelf I currently use.  I would need the largest Podium (24" wide), and even that would not have the full depth of my speakers so they would have to overhang the bottom plate.

Do the Podiums you use allow for tilting the speaker at an angle (raising the front two corners)?  For my setup, a mild rake angle would be desirable.  Townsend's website says the feet are adjustable for leveling the speakers, but, I am concerned that deliberately tilting the bottom platform might interfere with the movement of the springs that provide the isolation.  

Which speakers do you have? As long as they fit between the raised pods on each corner it should work, overhang should not be an issue (as long as it’s not excessive). As far as tilt is concerned I would avoid using the podium to do that so as to provide as stable a platform as possible and avoid stress on the springs by having them at an angle. A very small tilt may be possible. You would be better off using the speaker feet to address the tilt.

The other option is to use the seismic bars or corners which are a) a little bit cheaper and b) would obviate the overhang problem. My instinct would be to go with the bars which I imagine you could level independently hence getting the tilt you want. Strikes me this may be tricky with the corners (with four seperate ones to level) but not having used them recommend you call a knowledgeable dealer for advice -- I used Analogue Seduction who were easy to work with

Hi Folkfreak,

Thanks for your response.

I have a pair of SAP J2001 speakers, although I have switched out its midrange horn in favor of very old Western Electric 731 b driver and a Western Electric KS 12025 horn.  The bass cabinet should barely fit between the feet of the largest Podium.  

As for the tilt issue, I would prefer not using any kind of feet on the speaker so that the platform of the Podium is in full contact with the bottom of the speaker.  That would allow for the best transmission of vibration generated by the speaker into the platform device for dissipation (this is what Symposium said about use of their platforms under speakers).  I could put the Svelte Shelf under the speaker and use either the Townsend Podium (with some sort of riser) or the Townsend Corners to support the shelves.  

Larryi -- not sure I'm confident that the Townshend stuff would match with the Symposium at all well. If I understand it correctly the intent of the Townshend podiums is to isolate the speaker from the floor and not to dissipate vibration in any way -- using multiple add on footers/platforms/springs may lead to them fighting one another which is why Townshend recommend you remove all feet when using their kit. Maybe if the Symposium platform is more an extension of the cabinet, then the podium/pods are the feet it makes sense?