Do speakers need to be fixed in place?

[AnalogSteph]

I don't see why this wouldn't work - it's more or less equivalent to pressing your ear against the surface (which tends to pick up plenty of structural vibration), just more convenient.

 

[March Audio]

It depends on what you are fixing them to.
You can attampt to isolated a source of vibration, or you can provide a sink for the energy to an object, usually high mass.

See above, vibration doesn't sink in that sense.

 

[March Audio]

I don't see why this wouldn't work - it's more or less equivalent to pressing your ear against the surface (which tends to pick up plenty of structural vibration), just more convenient.

It will work and you will hear things, it's just difficult to quantify good/bad/acceptable.

I used to analyse vibration in industrial machinery and we would use on occasions an electronic stethoscope and headphones to hear bearing faults. Along with of course accelerometers and FFT analysis. It's amazing what you could pick up, even subsurface cracks in raceways.

 

[reza]

Just to follow up: I ordered a pack of these on Amazon for $17 plus free shipping. They seem to work quite well.

 

[DKT88]

Just to follow up: I ordered a pack of these on Amazon for $17 plus free shipping. They seem to work quite well.

sorbothane removed finish on wood when I used it.

 

[reza]

sorbothane removed finish on wood when I used it.

Don't scare me! I already did away with Blu Tack fearing it might damage the wood. I'm going to pretend I didn't read your post :|

 

[maxxevv]

Just to follow up: I ordered a pack of these on Amazon for $17 plus free shipping. They seem to work quite well.

sorbothane removed finish on wood when I used it.

Don't scare me! I already did away with Blu Tack fearing it might damage the wood. I'm going to pretend I didn't read your post :|

Just stick a layer of 3M Scotch Tape or a piece of self-adhesive vinyl between the Sorbothane and your cabinet top, you'll be fine.

If you're worried it slipping, them stick a piece of felt between the Sorbothane and the cabinet top.

 

[DKT88]

Don't scare me! I already did away with Blu Tack fearing it might damage the wood. I'm going to pretend I didn't read your post :|

Don't scare me! I already did away with Blu Tack fearing it might damage the wood. I'm going to pretend I didn't read your post :|

just sandwitch the sorbothane between some thin material that won't damage the wood. It's a lot better than Blu Tack which is made of calcium carbonate, mineral oil, and polyisobutene. Those last two ingredients are nasty on wood.