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Don't spikes and isolation pads do the opposite?

post #1 of 5
3/19/07 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Earlier today, I was talking to someone about using isolation pads under a subwoofer to avoid transferring vibration to the room.

This got me to thinking about how my speakers are set up on adjustable spikes (presumable to keep them from moving around) yet subwoofers use either rubbery feet or in this case isolation pads to avoid sound transferance through vibration.

It seems to me that you would either use spikes or isolation pads on both(not spikes on one and an isolation pad on the other).

Any comments?

By the way, I have a concrete slab foundation.
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post #2 of 5
3/19/07 at 4:56pm
I've seek spikes on subs. You are right they do oppossite things.
Spikes couple the cabinet to the floor and isolation pads decouple the cabinet from the floor.
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post #3 of 5
3/19/07 at 5:50pm
Thread Starter 
So, if you have a concrete slab foundation with carpeting, would it be better to use spikes on a sub to couple it to the slab?
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post #4 of 5
3/19/07 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimP View Post

So, if you have a concrete slab foundation with carpeting, would it be better to use spikes on a sub to couple it to the slab?

That is debatable. My guess is that over concrete there wown't be much difference. If you spike the concrete will absorb any vibration. If you isolate the cabinet might resonate.

I think that there would be more of a difference over a wood floor. Sub and speaker cabinets, in general, are designed to minimize vibrations, so the better the sub the less of an effect spiking or isolation will have.
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post #5 of 5
3/19/07 at 7:00pm
As an antecdotal example: I have a PC Ultra with pads on my padded carpet over concrete floor, and insulated drywall and studs over concrete walls.

I don't know what spikes would do, but with this setup and the right material, the room literally shakes.


Tim
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