Audioholics goes off the reservation

[Frank Dernie]

As for isolators my fellow Hockey fans can always use Hockey pucks. Much cheaper.

They wouldn't do any isolating at all.

 

[BluesDaddy]

On his Facebook Group a few years ago I made the comment that it was hard to resist the pressure of advertising dollars when something similar was posted. I got kicked out of the group.

 

[Rick Sykora]

They wouldn't do any isolating at all.

Thanks for the clarification. Could use another…

Are you using a spring with a spike on the bottom to reduce wobble/creeping? Maybe a pic would help. Thanks!

 

[poxymoron]

not the type of snake oil i expected to see on audioholics but when gene started peddling hydroxychloroquine i was out.

 

[Jinjuku]

While there are uses for decoupling and isolation... $1000? That's ludicrous. I use neoprene for my stand mount speakers and it does help especially at high volume. They can buzz the stand if I don't. I think I have $40 all in.

In live sound reinforcement, we used to suspend subs with airplane wire.

My Statements clock in at 128lbs each. In my current room (carpet on concrete slab) they don't need any isolation. But if you tip them up to expose the bottom I have threaded inserts. I had them on hardwood at one point and they needed isolation.

 

[Katji]

Frank sir, it's enthusiastic amateurs and less well versed reviewers confusing the terms most likely.

Confusion is the result, the cause is the human tendency of "monkey see monkey do."

 

[Jinjuku]

I can understand being disappointed they didn't provide measurements, but that above seems a bit of a leap, without any other confirming evidence than being disappointed with the lack of measurements.

If you have found them generally fair minded for so long, why not the benefit of the doubt?

I've got to agree with this sentiment. I think the thing most people are stung by isn't the review of a speaker 'spike', but a really expensive speaker spike.

I've had to use them and they've made a difference. Just not going to drop $250 a spike...

 

[Dal1as]

They wouldn't do any isolating at all.

At what frequency? Lol

I was joking though.

 

[a2copywriter]

FWIW (anecdotal evidence alert!), I'm very happy with a ~$50 Auralex Subdude isolation pad purchased years ago.

I did not do this to improve sound quality or "lift a veil" or any other "magic." Instead, I did it because my subwoofer rattled objects in my room.

See, we have a wood floor and a floating IKEA shelf in our home theater/living room. That shelf is attached to the wall without any decoupling. And on it are a few objects/knickknacks.

Whenever I watched an action movie, the Polk PSW-505 subwoofer rattled those objects -- annoying me and my wife.

Once we switched to an isolation pad, our decorations stopped rattling.

I don't listen closely enough or care enough to measure any difference in sound quality. But not having buzzing/rattling is a huge upgrade in my book.

If I wanted to improve sound quality, I'd treat the room and EQ it, optimize speaker placement, then consider improved speakers if needed.

 

[danzilla31]

Yeah I am a member of both sites so watching the escalating forum war has gotten funny I just stay out of it. I love both places for different reasons

In the comment section of that thread at audioholics these so called isolators got blasted pretty good by forum members

Both sites are great they both have there strengths

I try to go to several sites I like to get the most balanced idea of whatever it is I'm interested in but ASR is on top of the list for sure

 

[Glen20]

FWIW (anecdotal evidence alert!), I'm very happy with a ~$50 Auralex Subdude isolation pad purchased years ago.

I did not do this to improve sound quality or "lift a veil" or any other "magic." Instead, I did it because my subwoofer rattled objects in my room.

See, we have a wood floor and a floating IKEA shelf in our home theater/living room. That shelf is attached to the wall without any decoupling. And on it are a few objects/knickknacks.

Whenever I watched an action movie, the Polk PSW-505 subwoofer rattled those objects -- annoying me and my wife.

Once we switched to an isolation pad, our decorations stopped rattling.

I don't listen closely enough or care enough to measure any difference in sound quality. But not having buzzing/rattling is a huge upgrade in my book.

If I wanted to improve sound quality, I'd treat the room and EQ it, optimize speaker placement, then consider improved speakers if needed.

I found similar
So it must be true! ( joke)
I use Primaacoustics isoplane foam (cost $10 on special)under my speakers which stops the China rattling in the sideboard it sits on.
Placing my 8030s ( while sorting stands) in that place resulted in no rattling with its Isoacoustic isolator on.

 

[egellings]

My floors are concrete. They don't vibrate at all and make a good base for the speakers to sit upon.

 

[AudioJester]

So there is a measured decrease in vibration with the isoaccoustics footers, but no real difference in measured frequency sweep. Would that translate to something different with complex music playing?

If the perceived differences with the footers are due to change in height then this should be simple to confirm. Someone needs to measure their Focal speakers with microphone height difference of 10-15cm. Would that show something that would explain the preference for footers?
Also, why are all the sighted tests preferring the "higher" speaker? Is this sighted bias? Or do we all need to raise our speakers?

Genuinly curious as some of my buddies swear by these things.

 

[preload]

I generated waterfall plots for a couple of vibration isolators, including a product from isoacoustics. Short version is that there were definitely measurable differences.

Effects of 2 vibration isolation devices (waterfall plots)

There seems to be debate about whether vibration absorption feet can improve the sound quality of loudspeakers. In theory, the overall FR shouldn't change, but resonances that occur in the speaker cabinet or in the room should be reduced, which in turn, should improve some aspect of perceived...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Speaker with stock tiny rubber feet:

Speaker with IsoAcoustics Orea's:

 

[preload]

Also, I’d like to point out that the expression “off the reservation” is offensive to some Native Americans. @Spkrdctr

 

[Rick Sykora]

Since most of the thread posts are about (off topic) isolation, perhaps a rename along those lines would be better…

Another thread could be started for the discussion of AH’s questionable ethics and the pertinent posts moved there.

Just a thought.

 

[TLEDDY]

Also, I’d like to point out that the expression “off the reservation” is offensive to Native Americans. @Spkrdctr

I am part Native American (Cherokee), and I am not offended.

 

[preload]

I am part Native American (Cherokee), and I am not offended.

Very well, I'll update what I wrote, thank you.

 

[theyellowspecial]

I use "Isolate It!" sorbothane domes for my subwoofer and it makes a huge difference, but I'm on a suspended wooden floor so the reduction in energy transfer is significant.

 

[diddley]

Very well, I'll update what I wrote, thank you.

Now i have a chance to use the ignore button and see what it does.