Stack Audio Auva Isolator

Here is what Stack Audio replied to my question.

"The AUVA Loudspeaker Isolators have a burn in time to let the particles settle. We estimate around 6-7 hours although customers have noted continuous improvement up to the 20-hour mark in the past."

"Just a follow up note – I should also mention that several customers comment that no burn in time is required and there is an immediate impact. I think it varies on a case-to-case basis.

ozzy

Personally, I noticed improvement immediately. As time went on, my system got a little better - smoother mostly and better soundstage and clarity as well. But improvement was immediate. 

I will be interested in your experience--my understanding is that AUVA w/ spikes will couple (not isolate) the speakers to your concrete floor while your podiums were de-coupling your speakers from the floor--one would think the results would be vastly different but since you're using different speakers than with the podiums i wonder if a true A/B is even possible?  Maybe try them with and without the spikes?

@wyoboy

Coupling is relative.  The ideal situation IMHO is to minimize transfer of sound to the floor AND minimize the back and forth motion of the speaker due to the woofer motion.

Most of the acoustic coupling happens from the speaker panels vibration in the middle, not the corners (more or less, depending on internal construction).  That is, by minimizing the surface area of the bottom panel which comes into contact with the floor you've achieved most of your goal.

The other issue is the  energy needed to move a speaker back and forth.  You can test this somewhat yourself by pushing back on the top of the speaker.  Small speakers on stands with powerful drivers can be the worst offenders.  The woofer motor pushes against the frame, effectively reducing the overall amplitude because the speaker moves in opposite directions of the driver.  Weight sometimes helps here.

Of course, this is all relative.  Narrow, tall speakers of moderate weight and woofers up high are going to have a harder time than big heavy speakers with the woofers at floor level.

Worst acoustics are presented by right angles stacked one atop the other with right angle transitions hooking them altogether.

The top nail in the coffin starts at the top with a nut attached to a machine screw with many adjustable threads creating more interference along its decline into more dissimilar materials inside of the stacked right angles. Delay Delay Delay. generates more interfering energy..Tom D