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Improving a stone rack

Hi all, I have a large stone rack for my system, in beautiful granite, which works great for stability, but maybe not so good for other aspects of the sound. I wonder if it contributes to some treble ringing and harshness. I want to improve the sound, thinking of felt damping on the wall behind the rack, some form of cloth to cover the reflective surfaces of the shelves, and adhesive rubber type mats on the bottom of the stone shelves. Is this the way to go? Experience based advice is very welcome. My rack weighs a ton. It is not easy to compare to a wood or composite rack. I need advice on how to counter the sound problems of stone or similar polished surface shelf racks. I want to try this, before I consider a new rack or shelf arrangement.

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elliottbnewcombjr
5,185 posts
 

 

Having a little fun: Maybe not grandma's tablecloth, but you get the idea. Keep your stability, add some softness on top

craig
83 posts
 

Depending on design, you may be able to place sorbitans spacers (buy sheets or strips) between the granite and whatever is supporting the granite. Then do the same between the supports and the floor (cover the sorbitans sheet that touches the floor with felt to protect the floor if the floor is wood).  

I built a "rack" from three 20x40 inch black granite "shelves" and wood supports (hard maple 2x4s glued together for the uprights and 2x4s for the cross supports, the granite is "inserted" into slots in the wood.  Everywhere the granite touches is covered by the sorbitan, and the upright supports have sorbitans on their bottom surface covered by the felt.  I choose the thickness of the sorbitans to not only support the weight, but for the harmonic frequency that needed to be absorbed.

Incidentally, different granites have different harmonic frequencies.  Apparently black granite is the best for audio applications (eg see Acora speakers).

No "ringing", no vibrations, incredible stability.

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erik_squires
15,748 posts
 

+1 on IsoAcoustics under your gear.  Probably the easiest and most effective solution for any vibration issues your gear may be subject to.  Next, I agree that if your rack is between the speakers it can contribute negatively to the sound.  Consider yes, thick cloth but also short acoustic panels on the side and behind the rack itself.  Also, given the angles, room treatment on the ceiling between the speaker and listener is always a great idea.

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