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If coupling supposedly drains vibrations but still interacts with whatever is under the component, and de-coupling separates the component from whatever is underneath and absorbs some vibrations (dependent on the device I suppose), how do you decide which is the most appropriate to use for any given component? Is one better than the other under certain circumstances?
Hello there: Here my excellent experience with my speakers. I have suspended wood floors, so the macrovibrations coming up from the floor to the speakers are a serious issue. Hence I began with a 2" thick marble platform to reject those macrovibrations (actually changing their frecuency as somebody explained me) Then on top of that marble platform I have the Auralex Gramma (from www.sweetwater.com) which is the vertical center of the Isolation System to absorb both vibrations coming up from the floor and the microvibrations coming down from the speakers. Now my Ribbon Speakers have screwed underneath four Megamounts (from www.mapleshaderecords.com) which drain the microvibrations from the cabinet of the speaker to a 4" thick mapleshade platform, which is mounted over a set of 4 additional Megamounts screwed underneath. Those Megamounts are resting on the Auralex Gramma mentioned above.
During the past 10 years I have tried so many different coupling/decoupling systems with various results, but after so many experiences and evaluations I designed this one with magnificent results: the sound exceeds my highest expectations. Best, Antonio Machado.
Quite a combination. Must have taken awhile to find just the right balance. I've not heard of your speakers before. Are they planars with an enclosed dynamic woofer?
Hello my friend: sorry for the delay in answering your questions, I have been so busy that I didn't check Audioasylum until today. My speakers are Ambience Superslim 1800se, please check them out at www.ambiencespeakers.com.au, they are the second or the third from their flagshipI think.Now I have ten years in this wonderful and crazy hobby, and in that decade I have tried so many different isolation systems under both speakers and components with various results.
The setup I have now required a lot of $$$ but I think I'm done in that area.
Rest of my two-chanel system includes Metronome Signature Transport and D.A.C., Acoustic Signature Final Tool Turnable, Magnum Dynalab MD100TR high-end FM Tuner with Triode tubes, McCormack RLD-1 Preamplifier and DNA225 Power Amplifier, both of them upgraded to the top "Platinum Edition" by the manufacturer Steve McCormack. Ensemble Isolink Duo Isolation Transformer, Shunyatha Hydra and the complete Isogray System from Richar Gray Power Company including a 240 Volts SubStation.
What system do you have amigo ? and what about Isolation Systems under speakers and components ? what have been your experiences and comments on them ?
Best, Antonio Machado.
Hi Antonio. I also have those Ambience speakers.
I have mine spiked to a composite ply/MDF platform with sits on a foam core or a type I will remember one day over an MDF base and then some brass cones with carbon fibre cups.
I too have a suspended wooden floor and the difference, indeed the improvement from removing the floor from the sound is well worth while.
I am now powering the Ambiences with Quicksilver Mini Mites and the sound is sensational.
I have invested in a second Silverlink I/C from Greg Osborn, another Aussie loudspeaker manufacturer and they are unbelievable value, IMO.
Add in some Kimber Select KS 3033 speaker cable and you have one happy listener.
Great you are enjoying those Ambience Superslim 1800se Ribbon/hybrid speakers, don't they sound great amigo ? Ribbons are the most transparent and clear speakers, plenty of fine inner detail. It's difficult for many dynamic speakers to match the transparency of Ribbons, this technology survives the time passing and gets more and more fans.Question: do you have your Ambience Speakers bi-wired ? I do, and that contributes to get their full potential.
Suggestion: try the Walker Audio High Definition Links, they soft the sound and gives it a more musical and suave edge, I love the effect of those High Definition Links on my Ribbons.
Question: do you have something to damp vibrations on top of the black wood cabinet ? some Damping Plates from www.avisolation.com here plus marble plates on top of them with some blue tak between the Damping plate and the marble slab.
Question: do you have any Room Acoustic Treatment (Acoustic Panels) behind them to tam the back waves ? if not, I strongly suggest you to get some, they better the sound much more than any component upgrading. Here I have 7 GIK Acoustic Panels, their website is www.gikacoustics.com
Final question: I am in New Jersey, where are you amigo ? I wish someday these Australian Ambience Speakers will have more market here in U.S.A., they are wonderful sound speakers.
I have found de-coupling a CD transport, then adding a 5-8 lb. sandbag to the top gave very positive results. To test find a couple of those air pillows used in packing boxes for shipping or blow-up a couple quart size zip-lock bags to place under your CDP, preamp, turntable, etc. Now listen to the effect. Now fill a quart bag with sand and while listening to music add the sandbag to the de-coupled component(difficult w/the turntable)and hear the added depth and detail as you do. IMO de-coupling is best done with "air" ie: air-bags, tire tubes and hollow rubber balls, never spikes.Is the coupled component drainig or absorbing? Most likely both. The de-coupled component only has it's own vibrations to deal with, which is where the sandbags come in. Sandbags add mass while damping case vibrations. Enjoy
Coupling speakers to a suspended floor will tend to produce a bloated bass. Even on a concrete slab it can produce a lot of vibration into the floor.
The TINY amount of negative effect from the speaker being decoupled (I'll get to it in a moment) is negligable by comparison.
Here goes...
By decoupling the speaker you allow it to move the cabinet producing bad effects, runs the argument for coupling.
Now, compare the mass of the entire speaker to the moving part... yes, the cone... it ways a few grams.
Its effect is minute. Very minute.
Freeing th speaker may initially make the system sound a bit bass light, but after the first impression, you may well find the bottom end is faster and deeper.
This is something which can seem counter intuitive, but try it ans see... hear!
Often not enough trial and too much error, as my old physics teacher often commented about my experimental efforts.
