Stillpoints and reference-level speakers

While picking and choosing and auditioning new materials for the latest platforms this session appeared.

There was a variation.. of many tried that was less than 1/2 of 1 percent difference in gross material content. The presentation of this single platform was like having an animated 3D surreal Dali oil painting on the wall in front of me bending and blending itself onto the ceiling. It was if I were in a fish bowl looking around with double vision. While this vision within a vision was totally engaging it was also totally wrong. Strange how a little thing like chemistry can make for such a big change in sound. Speed propagation thru the material was the culprit. Tom. Star Sound Technologies.

Theaudiotweak, I haven't looked but is there a table of speed propagations through different materials? And what does one seek-faster or slower? Also is it frequency dependent? I had a good deal of engineering training in undergraduate school but mainly in EE and ME.

I have a table that can be used. The alloy I was seeing and hearing in "surround sound" had an additive that was a hardener to increase the wear characteristics. Great if you needed brakes for your race car but this one additive made for some crazy scenes. Less than one percent can make for some large differences so there was a long selection process and much listening to all the many concepts. Tom

I look forward to Agear's inevitable purchase of the Backstage platforms and how they improve upon the Apprentice's high standards that we've established here. Agear don't keep us waiting too long.

and

Agear,
Your SOTA mechanically grounded listening room demands that the Backstage find a permanent home there.

Lord have mercy. Well, if you really want to push towards the lunatic fringe as I am prone to, the Starsound Stage platforms are the obvious answer. They are an ALL BRASS version of the backstage. Due to inflationary pressure on raw materials such as brass, they will be $$$$. My wife would truly be filled with homicidal rage at that juncture. I can hear her now: "Brass stands? Really?"

Well, I am glad for Robert, Tom and the Starsound collective for the resurrection of their company and technology. The Apprentice stands are a very modest investment for the performance you get. The audio press is finally starting to take notice:

http://www.stereotimes.com/post/sistrum-apprentice-series-spsa103-platform/

The audio press has been very enamored with the Stillpoint products. It will be interesting to see how they find the different engineering approach of Star Sound products. Time will tell.
Charles,