2. misc-audio
  3. 162060-4466

Velcro as Acoustic Isolation?

So, I'm wondering what folks think about using Velcro as speaker/component vibration treatment, e.g., as a damper, decoupler, isolator?  I don't think it would qualify as a coupler in the acoustic sense (just in the binding sense).  In my set-up, I have some bookshelf speakers on stands which are spiked through the carpet, and having 1" thick marble top plate attached to the base with heavy duty velcro at the corners and the center to keep the marble tight.  Aside from working very well to keep the marble plate to the base, there is a lot of surface area with the hooks and loops intertwining; and it seems to me that any vibration getting from the floor up to the base to the velcro would face a lot of mechanical dispersion in the velcro before it got the the marble (or the speakers which have another layer damping them from the marble).  As you might guess, I'm more interested in decoupling my speakers, which have plenty of tight bass by themselves, from the floor.  

What do you think?  Has anyone else used Velcro in that application or in some other way to treat components?  
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Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
It is a binder not a transmitter or isolator, maybe if it was hanging from Velcro. The space between the two surfaces the marble and the base of the speakers is just that a space... They are acting as isolation, but where is the vibration going? You want to transmit that away not store it in the enclosure.

By design, very dense material, with great dampening properties. Cast aluminum, HDS, Multi layer MDS. don't store vibration WELL. Think that way and things will change.

DEAD is not perfect for me... For the mids and highs..

I like a little MOJO, I get mine by the interior space, behind the driver, and usually highland wool, very dense. What I coat the inside of the enclosure with makes a lot of difference to.. Sound coat, rubber line, black hole... then driver dampening.. depends on how they are made.

Planars, round drivers, cast or punched baskets..

I use 390 lb pound HDF monitors, with 8" planars... very little vibration in that structure. There is no bass either...280 hz and down is CUT.

Bass columns, a little mojo.. There is an certain cabinet tone I look for..

Sub structures are different, green concrete... comes to mind...

Everything is different.. Everything makes a difference...Good or Bad, it makes a difference..

Regards
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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
OP I understand, most thing do dissipate energy as HEAT. Interesting, but again, I think it is dissipated by simple surfaces on the cabinets. 
A little different than you're thinking. It is measurable decay rate. Some go to great lengths to control that. The shorter the panels, and tighter bracing, the quicker the decay rate. That is what we want.  The inside of cabinets treated with sound coat, actually work on that principal.  Vibration is converted to heat, the cabinets work better, with a port and proper COOL air to keep the drivers at a given working temp..

The batting is another, place DIY and a lot of manufactures fall far short.. The batting in those cabinets, take a good long look at that alone. Three years I tinkered with liners, lining and  batting. From highland wool to heavy insulations. I put it in bags, with different, thread counts to multi layer bags. Nitrogen filled bags.  I tried all kinds of stuff.  Wool for the mids, HEAVY fiberglass for the subs and a lighter batting like poly fill for the MB.

One batting does not work for all, AT ALL, on everything correctly..
Like the Tinkers Titin says "for peanuts", compared to what we do outside the box..

Sometimes we do have to think INSIDE the box, not outside...:-)

Happy hunting.. good ideas only happen if you try.. Nothing wrong with that...

Regards
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