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Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Auralex SubDude HD Accessory by Adriel

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REVIEW: Auralex SubDude HD Accessory

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Model: SubDude HD
Category: Accessory
Suggested Retail Price: $60
Description: subwoofer isolation platform
Manufacturer URL: Auralex

Review by Adriel on February 06, 2010 at 15:18:43
IP Address: 70.179.2.11
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for the SubDude HD


This review was designed primarily to help those who live in and deal with condos, townhomes, and apartments. Whether audiophile, good samaritan, landlord, or leasing company.





Product type: subwoofer platform, riser style using engineered foam
Feature: improve bass quality, reduce structural bass transmission
Specs: 300 lb weight limit, STL specs given from 100Hz to 5000Hz

Now, about those subwoofer vibrations. We've all felt them, caused them, or both.

The living structure used in this review was wood framed, two story, with an elevated concrete slab subfloor, raised perhaps 15 to 20 ft above ground level for garages underneath. To give you some idea, the concrete subfloor was a fairly good transmitter of both impact noise and vibrational noise.

A problem I had, which I'm sure a lot of people had, was setting a listenable sound volume that did not disturb others. I had the subwoofer set at a low volume; walking around I did not detect any low bass, only when sitting down did I feel any vibrations through the sofa cushions. Reasonable. Even so, at a low enough volume to be non-disturbing, the mids and highs were too quiet to fill a proper soundstage. And at enjoyable soundstaging volume, the bass traveled far along framing and was noticeable to the people upstairs. My subwoofer had brass spike cones, and after some thought I decided to try decoupling.

Two versions of the SubDude were available. The Home Design (HD) version had a black velour top for slight additional cost, the normal version did not. Fearing potential ugliness, I ordered 1 of the HD and was glad in the end. The photo flash brought out more charcoal grey in the fabric, in-person the fabric was typical velour, a better looking smooth matte solid black than the photo shows.

Initially I was skeptical if the SubDude would make any difference. Clearly, at bass below 100Hz there showed decreased effectiveness, but I figured it was worth a shot, and according to the sound construction builder I contacted, he went to the upstairs neighbor and listened and reported it was mostly higher bass frequencies anyway. This was for typical pop music with a drum beat, not bass heavy electronica.

I was also concerned about loosing too much bass and leaning out the sound. I'd discovered that upgrading to stone flooring in various rooms helped to damp the subfloor, but also removed a lot of perceived bass. Prior to installing SubDude I was therefore listening to a very lean tone.

My last concern was the low price tag and wondered if it was too cheap to be of any use in a serious system.

I kept all bass settings the same, and merely eased the subwoofer on top of the SubDude, taking care to place brass footers so I did not penetrate into the SubDude.





The listening results were surprising.

Although the subwoofer was now isolated from the structure, less able to impart vibrational noise, the audible bass notes were increased. I suppose this was due to removing structural resonance, leaving me better able to hear the actual bass. An unexpected result, was a reduction of the lean sound I was having, and the mids got a touch of body and warmth. I suspect this could have been caused by better integration with the main speakers and a reduction of vibration affecting the vacuum tubes, but did not exactly know why considering the robustness of my existing amp stands.

With SubDude in place, I could turn up the volume to create a full wall of sound, yet not have the bass travel too far. I've spoken with upstairs, and they've reported things are good now. Initially they assumed I had just turned the volume down, when really I'd done the opposite.

This proved to be the least expensive audio tweak I had, yet one of the most effective, and essential for co-op living.

Since I had trouble with two people's subwoofers who border my residence, and due to the low cost of the SubDude, I ordered two additional SubDude HD.

A few hours ago I delivered the first of the SubDude on the side opposite my kitchen. That occupant had a Logitech computer system, with only a small bass module, yet I could hear it nonetheless.

At first, it was a challenge to overcome people's guarded fears at the doorstep. No, I was not selling anything. No, this package was not an electronics that I stole. Yes, this was a subwoofer platform that went underneath your subwoofer to prevent disturbing your neighbors, with the added benefit of a cleaner bass sound for you. At first, they said no thanks, until they realized exactly what I was trying to accomplish, solely for free, and solely that they could enjoy their subwoofer while staying out of trouble, while asking only that they would return it when they moved out.

There are two more occupants living above and to the other side of me, so I suppose I should stock up on a few more to have on-hand in case someone moves in with a subwoofer.

As far as looks, the aesthetic ended up very good with the shiny brass spikes and receptacles up top. I believed it was better aesthetically to use a finished product with logo, rather than a DIY solution.



Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: cheap, works as advertised


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Sophia Electric 300B Monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Primaluna Prologue Three
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Note Dackit 2.0
Speakers: Omega Super 8 XRS + Deephemp Cube subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects: Audioquest throughout, lower models
Music Used (Genre/Selections): indie, pop, hiphop
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Realtraps for sidewall, Auralex foam for some ceiling/wall junctions
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month - current
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PurePower APS 700 ac regenerator, Monarchy AC Regenerator
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Auralex SubDude HD Accessory - Adriel 15:18:42 02/6/10 ( 3)