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To spike or not to spike, that, is the question.


….my rack, that is.

I know this is covered repeatedly yet I’ve seen nothing pertinent to it in hollow floor applications. My current boat anchor, er, Sound Anchor rack, poses me an issue in this area of resonance control… or just something to do.

HOWEVER there seems a decision needs be made on either coupling, or de-coupling presently. Given it’s size and weight, I’d sure not want to be dancing it onto and or off of different footer gizmos over and over again.

I would like to know what experiences anyone has in this regard... and with what manufacturers' spikes or what-not.

My floor is hollow... carpet & pad over 5/8 flooring, on 16 OC 2x10 joists.

I'm thinking to add a piece, or two, of plywood (1/2 - 1 inch) underneath the rack and on top of the carpeting & pad, right off. Thus adding foundation & support.... as the weight will be near +/- 425 lbs with the components aboard.

How thick to go doesn’t seem as much the issue as does perhaps, the overall width and length though… as increasing the area coverd should help spred the disbursement of the weight atop it.

Rack exterior dims are roughly, 24 x 18. I was thinking to add two - three inches all around and use no less than ½ inch 5 layer ply.

So if the above doesn’t seem a bad idea, the couple or de-couple item is all that is undecided.

Thanks much, as I do sincerely appreciate the input.
blindjim

Showing 4 responses by blindjim

blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
Do tell.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

stehno... thanks much.

If I read ya right... then ONLY coupling works best? W8ith componnets too? hmmmm.

My concern remains the (IMO) inordinate weight being thrust onto about 3.5 sq ft. of flooring... so my choice is to aid or increase that surface area to 4sq ft by adding the one inch of plywood resting atop the carpeting.

THEN spike to that material. I get it that the added foundation supportive measures actually will become something of a barrier to drainage right off, but as things settle in I believe the added footprint will be helpful, or that is the aim.

Either some blunt spikes are now needed or the use of 'coins' under the cones is necessary. the sheer weight of the filled rack will start drilling it's way downward.

My previous shelving unit had no mass. None. As I added to it's weight things began to improve some... yet I chose to contain rather than drain with that one.

We'll see about doing the opposite now with this sky scraper unit.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Thanks Stehno

Just as a FYI… the homes’ design may be a vintage one but it was constructed in Jan 2004…. Move in was Feb 2004.

Flooring is 5/8 tongue in groove over 16” OC joists. All the trusses and studs are also 16” OC.

The hasty posted pics are not where the gear resides. There was simply more room to shoot. It all rests on the other side of that wall in my office. Only myself and the transducers & sub reside in that room.

I get what you are saying. Absolutely. My concern is the 5/8 flooring being drilled into by four pointy spikes with 400+ lbs behind them.

Past that fact, I’m good.

So then, this idea comes to mind, “What sort/type of spike would you recommend for that amount of weight & flooring that you have used with some success?”

The “WHATEVER SPIKES” need to be 3/8 in 16 TPI, as that is the application here..

One last note… each level of the Sound Anchors rack has on the front and rear cross members, two thin but compliant discs/pads about the size of a quarter or so… thus four pads are ‘buffering’ – supporting, each component shelf.

won’t these “pads’ hamper that drainage notion some or altogether?
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Mikelavigne
Thanks much, I appreciate it greatly.

Getting up underneath the floor and adding cross braces from one joist to another likely won't happen. At best might be some more foundational supports to the closest placements of the spkrs & rack... maybe.

Footfalls aren't an issue. I'm alone. Neither are acoustic/air vibrations as the components reside in a closed off, and seperate room from the speaker/sub, and me when listening.

Sand box, huh? how big/deep should it be for this Sound Anchor rack which I think weighs in around 180 dry, and about 440lbs. (+/-) filled with devices & wires???

These 'sand boxes' don't subtract from the harmonics in any shape or form, do they? (dulling transients, occluding inner detail, etc)

A GP rack or any other rack for that matter, just ain't happening. Period.

Apex footers? Maybe. If they will attach to the SA racks threaded opening and don't cost a great deal.

Couple the sand box to the existing flooring, and de-couple the rack resting atop the box, from it?

Same way for speakers? They weigh in at 90lbs ea give or take a bit.

I'll assume you have done this and realized good results?

Thanks again for the help here.
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