Rack stabilization alternative to lally columns and beam?


I have my system rack on a bouncing floor, and it’s out into the room from the front wall. I’m looking for alternative suggestions to stabilizing my rack without using beams and lally columns below the floor. I also want to keep my rack out from the front wall, because I can finally get to my cables this way. My rack, in my old house was up against the front wall with a foundation wall under it, and it was ridged and unshakeable. My new front wall is a bearing wall with double foundation walls under it, so I’m thinking about tying my rack to the wall, but also realize I will probably need some dampening due to vibrations from the wall.

What I was thinking –

Tie the top rear corners (under the top shelf) of my rack to the wall. I can do this with maple hardwood (1x2”s) that match the rack, and run a maple 2x4” rail across the wall to connect the two together. In-between, where the new maple 1x2”s fasten to the rack and to the rail, I sandwich damping material to limit vibrations from the wall. So, the goal is to add mechanical stability to the rack without adding vibrations from the wall.

One of the damping materials that I’m considering is similar to Mapleshade’s Iso Blocks. So, rubber, cork, rubber. However, this stuff is only ¾” thick a can be made into 2x2” squares. It comes from Acoustical Solutions. Here’s the link: https://acousticalsolutions.com/product-category/vibration-control/pads/

I’m trying to find out if my idea is sound to begin with, and what may be the best and least expensive dampening material to use if it is.

Kenny

kennythekey

Bob -

Okay, now I get what you were saying!

There seems to be two different trends of thought here. One (Geoff) from another active post says, the rack should not be made too rigid, and you're saying to make it as rigid as possible.

I can always try it both ways and keep the solution that sounds best.

Kenny

That is always the best way.
And, I would be interested in hearing which way sounds better.
Bob
Kenny:


Although you said no beams or lally columns, I must say that I have used them to great effect in my living room. I do have a crawl space which allowed me to get under my equipment as well as my sub-woofer and speakers. The technique really cleared up the bass and mids. So inexpensive too.
kavakat1,
Thanks, and you are correct, but I was looking for an alternative because the access to my crawl space is from the ground floor down and the crawl space is shallow. So, I simply don't have enough room to get a beam down there. I would have to open up a hole in my foundation wall from the outside to do it.
Kenny