Footers under big heavy speakers (Stillpoints Ultra 5, Sistrum rack, Finite Elements,..?)


Revisiting isolation and coupling for my main system, I wonder if I would try better coupling devices than the large Symposium Svelte shelves (19"x24") I currently have under my Duntech Sovereign 2001s with 21" w x 35" d wooden base, weighing 360lbs each, which in turn rests directly onto wooden floor. My room was pretty lively before the isolation/coupling and I need better coupling/draining of energy for the speakers. 

What would you suggest?

I could try four Stillpoints Ultra 5 with base under each speaker or what I hope to be at least equally good and more economically is a pair of Sistrum rack platform (using AudioPoints 1.5) that measures 22.75"x 26.75" (I don't think their standard speaker stands can provide enough balance). I could buy a Sistrum SP-4 rack and use two platforms for my speakers. This would be budget wise the same if I would buy two Apprentice SP-SA-XL-4-1.5 (18"x24") as I am looking for a new rack for my second system (Home Theater). 

Star Sound seems to be a very reputable company but earns less coverage than, e.g. Stillpoints. 

The third and probably least talked about solution would be Finite Elements Cerabase but I find less buzz here on the Gon.


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Showing 4 responses by geoffkait

My new Super Stiff Springs are intended for *very heavy* objects, like Verier and VPI turntables and big amps but speakers like the 400 lb Magicas have such a high center of gravity it would necessitate a very large platform/plate under the speakers to be able to spread the springs out as wide as possible. Nevertheless the isolation, assuming it could be achieved mechanically, would be spectacular. The new Super Stiff Springs are low profile (2 inches tall) so they have excellent lateral stability. It would require about 8-10 SUPER STIFF SPRINGS to isolate a 400 lb. speaker. I estimate the platform would have to be 4x4 feet and could be say maple or Baltic birch plywood. It would be less challenging but interesting to isolate a large, heavy subwoofer using Super Stiff Springs.
Ball bearings can provide isolation, especially in the rotational directions, just like other roller bearing or ball and socket type isolation devices such as Dharumas and even steel springs which are not rubber type material now that I think about it. It would depend on how the ball bearings are implemented in the design as to whether they were an isolating element.
Eggs ackly! That's why it's a good idea to use springs for the vertical direction and roller bearings for the horizontal and twist and rock and roll rotational directions. That's what the big boys do, anyway.
That's cute.  Obviously you're not familiar with roller bearing assemblies for uh, audio.  As the other dude just explained it all depends on which direction of isolation you are referring to.  You know, of the six directions of isolation.