Footers- Break In? Such A Change.


So, I know components and cables break in and this has always been a source of mystery, not to mention the EE’s and the naysayers who believe firmly it is just not possible.

I am of the mindset based on my actual experience that electronics need power run through them for a time to perform their best. And that may mean hundreds of hours of electrical energy running through the item to fully form.

So, with this understanding I use this as the preamble to what I will describe next.

Footers. You know those little devices we put under our components, speakers etc., to isolate or stabilize the item.

Well, I must disclose that I have always been a tweaker and have tried many of the accessories we add to get the best out of equipment. I have also tried so many footers, many brands, types, even some DIY etc.

Critical Mass makes racks and footers. I have always wanted their racks, but due to my needed configuration just never have tried a rack. But I have tried the footers. The ones I have are called the Center Stage 2(CM2). I have them in the 1.0 and the 1.5 versions. There is also now a newer version called the 2M.

Anyway, these CM2’s is amazing. When you first place them under the equipment the music becomes dull, soundstage is narrow and the highs/lows are restricted. First comments you will have is; WTH?

But, wait about 7-10 days and these footers really open up and improve in all aspects that is important in sound reproduction.

How the heck a footer breaks in is amazing to me? The only thing that makes sense is that they must be adjusting to the weight that is on top of them and it takes that long to adjust.

Anyway, these are kinda relatively expensive but since the newer versions are now out perhaps you can grab some at a good discount. These will probably be the last footers I will ever own… Maybe?

I highly recommend them, even as strange as they are with break in.

ozzy

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It really does sound mysterious and confusing. But theses footers are really something. That is, in improving the sonics of my components.

ozzy

I first tried CMS footers a couple of years ago on a lark and ended up with 11 sets of them I liked them so much.  As to their explanation of why they work, I don't think they're doing themselves any favors. Totally unintelligible.  I can live with the break-in time - everything breaks in. 

Recently tried the CMS LS loudspeaker feet. These were even better in terms of sonic improvements.  It's a shame they're so expensive.  I normally wouldn't pay a lot for this kind of stuff, but I'm at the end of the line as all my components are keepers. 

I generally wouldn't advise anyone to focus on cables, footers, and other tweaks  unless their system was pretty much settled and what they're going to keep for the long hall.  

 

ozzy,

do you think the townshend vibration control products will be better than the CMS? I don't think that they make anything that'll be as good as the podiums for speakers.

I really think both products are amazing. But thus far I have only tried the Townshend Podiums under my speakers and the CM footers under components.

My next speaker unfortunately will not be able to try either product based on the way they are designed.

ozzy