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Boy, Oh Boy! Towshend!

OK, I have elevated my belief in isolation.  For the first time I feel I have entered the Hi Fidelity zone.  About 3 weeks ago I purchased the Townshend Speaker Bars.  My muddy bass cleaned up, I have better imaging, clarity, precision, speed and focus.  My buddy who is not not into HiFi but has followed my adventures, was blown away.  He said, "OK, now I get why you do this."  Best money spent! 

Denon DL160 (re-tipped by Soundsmith) > Thorens TD150 > McIntosh 8900 > ALK Extreme Slope in Klipsch Belles.  Just another step in the long journey, but a Giant Step for my enjoyment.  My system took a large enough step forward that I am drawn into listening to all of my 2K plus albums again just to enjoy them in a new way. Great people to deal with too, even with Brexit messing things up.  Highly recommended!
I am not associated with them in any way, just want to pass it on.
128x128edgyhassle
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The problem is your floor resonates which is what muddies the bass. Back when I was installing systems (a long time ago) we hung speakers from the ceiling on chains or cables. I really do not think that work particularly well. Instead of muddy bass we got no bass. Things like bass drum impacts disappeared. The real solution is a sturdier floor which is only possible if the floor is open below. I have not heard Townsend products in use but it seems you are happy with the results which is all that counts. Do kick drums come through correctly? 
edgyhassle's avatar
edgyhassle OP
93 posts
 
@mijostyn
Yes the kick drum is punchier, I can feel / sense the strike of the petal.  Toms too.  Upright and electric bass also much more "live".  Yes I have bouncy suspended floors.  Before I got the Nob Sound springs under my turntable, I would need to sneak up on it to not activate the suspension.  
arthur1260
38 posts
 
@rixthetrick yes exactly, filled with quartz sand.
@millercarbon thanks, will check them
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
As for Electrostatics not needing the benefits of Supension Isolation.
Within my local HiFI Group .
There was a investigation to try and find Isolation Footers that work offering a comaparable impression to my SolidTech 'Feet of Silence' and Audio Technica  'AT- 616'.

The lesser value choices were experiened up to IsoAcoustic Gaia Models.
The Gaia's got the vote for use under TT's and a set og Gaia's eventually ended up under a group members Quad 2912 Electrostatic Speakers.

I am due to listen to these speakers on the upcoming weekend, it will be my the first time in almost a year listening to this system. 
 
mambacfa
76 posts
 
Speaker spikes are useless. Vibration is not limited by the small surface at the tip of the spike; it pass through regardless. And massive platforms don't help; low vibrations pass easily through all large surfaces. Concrete floors are not "vibration absorbers" and this is not like grounding a signal. The energy must be redirected through an effective isolator. 

The manufacturing industry has dealt with vibration for decades, using springs and ball bearings for vibration control of large machinery. While the scale is much smaller with audio equipment, the principles of physics apply equally. As a result, you see the most effective (and most expensive) premium isolation products apply either or both of these approaches.
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