To Couple...or Not To Couple....IS NOT the question.

In college, I quickly acquired an audio system capable of “winning” the stereo wars of my dorm.  After all - - this is where loud belongs.  As a young engineering student, one of my innovations, was to set my speakers on styrofoam squares…so more energy excited the air (& ears) and less excited the concrete dorm floor.  Pretty cheap effort to NOT couple my speakers to the floor…but what else would you expect from an undergrad?

Years later, when searching for my first audiophile system, I was “educated” by various salespeople that audiophiles should COUPLE their speakers to the floor with SPIKES!  For the next fifteen years, I told my wife that the speakers’ spikes WOULD NOT damage our expensive carpets and/or hardwood floors.  J

Eventually, I purchased a few speakers that did not encourage the use of spikes.  A few years later…and once again…I owned speakers that encouraged the use of spikes.  When I began exploring the world of tweaks, I purchased SPECIAL spikes and coupling mechanisms (e.g. Mapleshade, IsoAcoustics, etc.) with mixed/ somewhat unremarkable results.  Finally, I made it back to speakers that didn’t encourage the use of spikes…. Dunlavy SCIVs. 

Over the years, as I teeter-tottered back and forth between “couple” or “not to couple”, I never noticed a significant performance improvement that I could attribute to spikes vs. no spikes.  So…I refrained from recommending either speaker installation method.  In general, I just chose to ALWAYS be obedient to the recommendation of the speaker manufacturer…who should know which configuration maximizes their product’s performance….right? 

This Summer, I dedicated myself toward finding superior vibration control mechanisms.  As part of this process, I came across Townshend Audio.  In addition to vibration control mechanisms for components, Townshend Audio offers DE- COUPLING mechanisms for speakers and subwoofers….called Seismic Isolation Podiums. 

The goal of the Podiums is to isolate the speaker from the floor throughout the audible frequency range and beyond…all the way down to 3 Hertz.  On the website, Max Townshend himself, does a good job of explaining his product, how it works, and how it benefits the user.

I’m NOT a band-wagon fan.  Actually, I try to avoid products that are receiving positive “hype” from audiophile reviewers.  In the case of Townshend Audio, they deserve acknowledgement, as the Seismic Isolation Podiums perform as described and over deliver the goods.  This product is SO GOOD that I’m disappointed I haven’t ALWAYS had them in service.  Likely, I would have enjoyed using the Seismic Isolation Podiums…all the way back to my college days.  Truly, I believe the Podiums would have increased my audiophile pleasure at EVERY step….potentially eliminating a few purchases…making them unnecessary.

Recommendation:

1. Go to Townshend’s website. Watch the videos.  Read the information.  Decipher which Podium works for you.
2. Buy the Podium, install, and listen.
3. Skip ALL of the reviews and hype. Judge the Podiums for yourself…in your home…with your system…YOUR review…the BEST.
4. Enjoy!