Subwoofer Question


I have a subwoofer question. I've just acquired a top-of-the-line Paradigm Servo-15 powered sub (with Paradigm X-30 crossover), which replaces my next-to-top-of-the-line Paradigm PW-2200 powered sub (it's being demoted to the home-theater system). The Servo-15 is a servo-controlled 15" subwoofer with 400-watt RMS amp; it weighs about 90 pounds and comes with rubber feet, but offers as an optional extra "gold-plated metal feet with adjustable spikes." Sounds silly to me that they should be gold-plated, but I'd like to ask if anyone has experience with this or similar subs with the metal spiked feet, and whether or not they make much difference (and if so what kind of difference) in audible performance. I'll be using this sub to fill in the bottom octave in an audiophile stereo music system (with a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v. 2 speakers), not for home theater. I'm reasonably familiar with the use of such metal spiked feet for full-range floorstanding speakers, but have no experience of their use with subs, and would appreciate some feedback on this question before investing in them. Many thanks. Dave Kemp, Plano, TX
texasdave

Showing 1 response by stehno

I agree with Warren. Coupling is the way to go. Isolation and/or dampening is an outdated strategy that seems to make sense, yet almost never improves sonics but only alters the sonics. In the end isolation and/or dampening is impossible to execute successfully in the audio world.

I also think it's safe to say that one should not assume that all points/cones/spikes are created equal. Star Sound is far and away the leader in this realm of audio coupling.

To use Warren's words, "you'll freak" is a pretty accurate statement with Audio Points under your rack, components, and speakers. Of course his statement should be qualified in that one may not notice any difference putting Audio Points under a $20 am/fm clock radio.

But in every case, Audio Points should be used instead of rubber. With rubber you would be trapping all air-borne vibrations and resonance captured by that component, rack, and speakers with no hope for evacuating and thus potentially reeking sonic havoc at the micro- and macro-dynamic levels.

-IMO