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Footers under new speakers

Hi , I’m seeking advice regarding footers and/or platforms under my speakers. I purchased Tekton Double Impact’s and have heavy shag carpet and padding over a cement slab floor. House is 35 years old, cement is thick and well cured. I’m from that old mindset of spikes into cement and I am looking for an improvement. I’ve looked online at Gaia footers and Herbie's Studded Giant Gliders. I emailed Herbie’s and specifically inquired about the studded gliders alone on the DI’s over carpet. I asked about stability and was told the speakers were “ heavy enough “. Unfortunately I just set up the DI’s temporarily to get a little break in time. They are without any footers upright on my carpet. At 115 lbs the speaker does about zero to compress the carpet. I understand weight Vs footprint is abysmal but they won’t even stand straight. I’ll probably put the spikes on for a bit until I formulate a plan. But my first concern is that Herbie’s gliders alone are not enough and due to the minimum cost of the speakers I am struggling with purchasing Gaia’s footers and footer spikes. The seismic stands look exceptional, but I’m trying to be frugal. So I’m looking for suggestions like, gliders or dots with or without spikes on wood / stone plinths spiked to the floor. My goal is to try some sort decoupling (Gliders / Springs / Dots) AND eliminate the need of having to rely on the carpet being compressed. And yes I have cheap speakers and seek a cheap solution, so I get that limitation. Unfortunately I can’t afford Tannoy’s or Fynes to compliment my 180 watt tube mono blocs for at least a year. Cheers , Mike B. 

buellrider97
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,191 posts
 

Resin Impregnated Densified Wood Board is the material to investigate in place of any other Board Materials to support a device.

A Board of the dimension required to support a Monoblock Amp will be similar in cost to Butcher Block of a similar dimension. 

Consider this same material for when designing the shelving to be used on the Racks to be produced. Alternatively the Rack design can be using more common board materials as a Shelve. A Sub Plinth Board to be used with a Barry Diament Design can be a Resin Impregnated Densified Wood Board.

A DIY Rack can have increased dimensions between shelves and a BD design can sit on the Racks Shelves, this should open up the options to mimic some of the Companies supplying Audio Racks designs, as has already been made known as being investigated.

joeycastillo
90 posts
 

@buellrider97 

Great choice on the Townsend Podiums. 

Regarding the platforms, your idea of using a butcher block and spiking it will work. I did that on a Turntable setup to isolate the Turntable from external vibration, and I actually heard less rumbling. Just make are you have a Thick enough Butcher block (say 2 inches or more is possible). Then add a set of Iso Pucks for good measure

I would suggest using Gaia Oreas instead of the Isopucks for the Pre-amp. it's tuned for more narrower weight range that your Preamp will fit in. I use the Oreas for my preamp and it help in a cleaner midrange IMO. 

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97 OP
646 posts
 

@pindac , Hi , point taken in regards to the resin impregnated MDF. In looking on line I’m not sure what to look for. A specific link or additional info would be appreciated. Here in California I see a couple MDF’s and a green water board. I’m just not sure what I’m looking for. Thanks, Mike B. 

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97 OP
646 posts
 

@joeycastillo , Hi thanks for the additional info. I looked at the Orea’s also and see your point. My pre amp has 8 signal tubes and I definitely want to isolate it with large amps and pending subs. I’m planning on being able to shake the house. I plan on putting a lot of effort into isolating my pre and my TT. Probably a lesser cost factor on my power amps. My pre is Rogue Hera II, it’s large with a separate power supply that is usually run stacked. I’m looking at building my rack and considering how to set the Hera. Due to size and heat it will probably be on the top shelf near my TT. I can put it on a platform on top of the shelf. Or I can isolate by something underneath the power supply and adding something between the power supply and the pre above. Then I can go full bore and add 8 tube dampers also. So many choices and it gets expensive.  Gotta love First World Problems , makes me grateful for what I have. Anyway, thanks for your help , Mike B. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,191 posts
 

MDF is not the material being suggested.

MDF has a very poor measuring Damping / Dissipation of 0.017. 

0.017 is a value that has a very very little Intrinsic Property to prevent Transferred Amplitude from migrating through the material.

Brands to think about are Panzerholz and Permali.

Look at a Taiko DAIZA Sub Plinth, but to not concern oneself with the rebate pattern that is used in their base of the Board.

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