While i would agree with the basic concept behind your post, variables such as physical size and differences in weight / loading on the devices could make MEASURABLE differences. As such, very thorough or in-depth testing would be necessary.
For instance, an isolation device might work like gangbusters with 10-15 lbs on it but actually be WORSE than direct coupling if that weight range was drastically exceeded. In other words, each device will have an optimum range and it would be up to the reviewer to find the "sweet spot" and report such information.
Keep in mind that even though several components might weigh very close to each other ( within a few lbs, etc..), their physical make-up might be quite different. This can also have a drastic effect on picking up airborne vibrations. As such, the devices used to uncouple, isolated, damp, etc... the component at the BASE might not have ANY effect on resonances picked up through chassis excitation. As such, one "isolator" might measure far worse with some specific component but do better with a different component on it. Unless EVERYTHING was mass loaded ( which might or might not work best with specific gear / devices ), doing tests like this would be extremely tough to achieve ANY type of accuracy with.
Since results might vary from system to system and component to component, i think that THIS is why nobody has tried to go the "scientific approach" for testing such devices. While some reviews have both a sonic viewpoint AND technical measurements, doing something like this with "tweaks" and coming out with meaningful data would be next to impossible due to all of the variables involved. That's whay a lot of these are strictly "trial and error" and done on a system by system basis. Sean
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For instance, an isolation device might work like gangbusters with 10-15 lbs on it but actually be WORSE than direct coupling if that weight range was drastically exceeded. In other words, each device will have an optimum range and it would be up to the reviewer to find the "sweet spot" and report such information.
Keep in mind that even though several components might weigh very close to each other ( within a few lbs, etc..), their physical make-up might be quite different. This can also have a drastic effect on picking up airborne vibrations. As such, the devices used to uncouple, isolated, damp, etc... the component at the BASE might not have ANY effect on resonances picked up through chassis excitation. As such, one "isolator" might measure far worse with some specific component but do better with a different component on it. Unless EVERYTHING was mass loaded ( which might or might not work best with specific gear / devices ), doing tests like this would be extremely tough to achieve ANY type of accuracy with.
Since results might vary from system to system and component to component, i think that THIS is why nobody has tried to go the "scientific approach" for testing such devices. While some reviews have both a sonic viewpoint AND technical measurements, doing something like this with "tweaks" and coming out with meaningful data would be next to impossible due to all of the variables involved. That's whay a lot of these are strictly "trial and error" and done on a system by system basis. Sean
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