Granite speaker isolation platform question

[eddiel]

Hi All

I need to isolate my speaker stands. The carpet is pretty thick and combined with the underlay the spikes aren't even hitting the floor boards underneath.

I was looking at using some granite as an isolation platform.

I found some professional ones: http://www.rsacoustics.co.uk/ which look nice but they are expensive.

I found some granite tiles for much less that are the perfect size.

The RS Acoustic versions are 3cm thick but the tiles are only 1cm thick.

My question is this, would the 1cm thick tiles do the job just as well as the 3cm professional ones? I could get 2 tiles for the price of one from RS Acoustics.

Also, since I'm here are there any other isolation platforms I could consider?

Thanks

Eddie

Eddie

[bdiament]

Hi All

I need to isolate my speaker stands. The carpet is pretty thick and combined with the underlay the spikes aren't even hitting the floor boards underneath.

I was looking at using some granite as an isolation platform.

I found some professional ones: http://www.rsacoustics.co.uk/ which look nice but they are expensive.

I found some granite tiles for much less that are the perfect size.

The RS Acoustic versions are 3cm thick but the tiles are only 1cm thick.

My question is this, would the 1cm thick tiles do the job just as well as the 3cm professional ones? I could get 2 tiles for the price of one from RS Acoustics.

Also, since I'm here are there any other isolation platforms I could consider?

Thanks

Eddie

Eddie

Hi Eddie,

First, however you feel about using granite, know that it will not isolate, regardless of what marketing folks or those who repeat their words say.

Granite has two important characteristics when it comes to audio:

1. It will act as a coupler (the opposite of an isolator) and transmit vibrations effectively. It will also tend to store the vibrations and release them after a finite delay.

2. Granite rings like a bell.

Using it under speakers (or any other component) will definitely change the sound, as will putting anything under a component. This change come about as a result of the granite's resonant characteristics, which will couple to the device being supported.

An alternative?
Taller spikes for one.

What I'd do is create a platform with spikes under it of adequate length to reach the subfloor. I'd place a good set of roller bearings on the platform, then place another platform atop the roller bearings. This upper platform should be hard and smooth, made either of smooth metal or a marble tile (some of which are deader than others and do not ring like granite), smooth side down to contact the balls of the roller bearings.

I'd place the speaker stands atop this assembly and voila, true isolation.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com

[Metralla]

"Taller spikes for one".

Yep.

[eddiel]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Saved me from spending cash on a solution that wouldn't work!

Not sure why I didn't even think about getting longer spikes!