Anyone isolate their subs? Any honest difference?

MalVeauX

Hey folks,

Was wondering if isolating your subwoofers, or your towers for that matter (like M70's), honestly make a difference in overall sound. I've played around and had a speaker rattle on some tile floors, but also had nothing happen on some carpet. So I'm wondering if there's an honest difference when putting your sub (or towers) on an isolated riser both on carpet and on hard surface (tile, wood, etc). Curious as to hear some honest opinions, not theory, about how the sound changed, if at all. Especially interested if you have several subs going at once, and on isolation.

Looking at getting a few of these.

Very best,

ViperZ

I use large cones under my subs. Made a HUGE difference compared to them sitting on the carpet or on rubber feet. Bass became more pronounced and tight. Not to mention that decoupling subs from the floor stopped a few things from rattling.

Erik Tracy

Yes.

I first had my Epik Valor on my bare hardwood floor - then tried the exact same SubDude.

Bass tightened up.

pdxfj

Looking at getting a few of these.

I use those under my subs and they do make a difference. Anything you can do to decouple them from the floor will be an improvement. What Viper describes is exactly what I discovered when placing my subs on a SubDude.

cnh

I have a sub that is not flush with the carpet and 1/2" padding under it (so already a lot over the wood floor there). The sub rests on a thin front length ridge and has a kind of hard rubber foot on the back so it sits like a tripod on the carpet (most of it, NOT making contact). This certainly decouples it from the floor in general and causes less of a problem with floor vibrations and secondary effects.

As for towers. I really don't find that it's necessary to do much with M-70s, they already have their own feet which pretty much keep the bottom from touching the ground?

cnh

SDA1C

I noticed a dramatic improvement from isolating via spikes. I have not tried a subdude but the spike effect was immediate and dramatic. Deeper harder hitting bass instantly. Based on this experience I will never have a driver enclosure, of any kind, with out spikes. I would speculate that the subdude does a good job of taking place of spikes. I do not think both would be necessary, though I don't think it would hurt.

I have front firing, front slot ported subs. I am sure the subdude would work better on down firing subs.

kuntasensei

I was iffy on the idea of the Subdude, but bought one just out of curiosity to throw under my SVS 20-39CS+ since it was sitting directly on carpet over concrete. Without changing anything else, the effect was immediately noticeable, especially with mid-bass. I was afraid it was going to be one of those placebo effect type tweaks... but it totally worked for me.

MalVeauX

Heya,

Thanks guys; sounds like it may just be worth while. I have two subs currently in my 7.2 setup, and they have little feet under them, but they still have contact to the tile and I think it may just be worth it to throw them on some isolated risers like SubDude and see how that goes.

Very best,

ken brydson

kuntasensei wrote: »

I was iffy on the idea of the Subdude, but bought one just out of curiosity to throw under my SVS 20-39CS+ since it was sitting directly on carpet over concrete. Without changing anything else, the effect was immediately noticeable, especially with mid-bass. I was afraid it was going to be one of those placebo effect type tweaks.. but it totally worked for me.

Hmmm, carpet over concrete for me too. Might need to try one under my 25-31PC+

pearsall001

I use the Aurelex Subdude under both my subs. They made a remarkable difference even though I am already on carpet. Well worth the investment. http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_subdude/subdude.asp

mantis

I have done it both ways and have mixed feelings about doing so. In some rooms the subs perform better with no Isolation as they send force into the floor and create a very cool experience. This is good for rooms with basements underneath. Rooms with hard wood floor I like to decouple the sub as it usually sounds better with more pressure. Not always though.
In room that are on a slab , I have not found any benefits as the concrete underneath seems to work very well. Good padding and rug all are good for subwoofer performance.
Honestly the best performance out of a sub is to first off have 2 , then have good placement , then a proper calibration.
It's a good way to experiment , I suggest buying them and really paying attention to IF it changes the sound for the better or does nothing. They don't cost a lot so no reason not to give them a try.

Cuchulain

My sub is on hardwood and I put some of those felt floor saving pads under the feet and I prefer the sound and lack of vibration. Just been listening to music though, I've yet to test it in movie mode.

Mikey081057

pearsall001 wrote: »

I use the Aurelex Subdude under both my subs. They made a remarkable difference even though I am already on carpet. Well worth the investment. http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_subdude/subdude.asp

Same here... many people gripe about $50 for a piece of foam, but it is worth it, or make your own. I can still feel the sub, important to note, to run your Audessy or what ever after isolating.

blehmbo

Is this method better than spiking your subwoofer? Wouldn't you lose some bass energy/accuracy from the lack of rigidity in the base?

MalVeauX

Heya,

So I picked up two subdude HD's and they're under my two front 12's now on tile. First thing I noticed was that the rattles are gone. There used to be some obvious rattles from various places in the room/house when these were turned up to moderate listening volumes. No more rattles. For that alone, worth it. Sound is tight and doesn't seem as boomy anymore. Sub-bass still digs deep.

Very best,

Tornado Red

My DSW550 is on a laminate floor over concrete. I used a rubberized ventilated material that comes in rolls and is used as non-slip backing on hardwood floors for area rugs. It was a product I already had on hand and it produced similar results to what Mal had mentioned, tightened things up, cut down on the room rattles and wasn't as boomy. Oh, and stopped the sub dancing too. All very unscientific but it seems to work well.

amgala

I just ordered two SubDudes for my two PSW505's. The SubDudes should be delivered today so I'll post back with my findings also

amgala

MalVeauX wrote: »

Heya,

So I picked up two subdude HD's and they're under my two front 12's now on tile. First thing I noticed was that the rattles are gone. There used to be some obvious rattles from various places in the room/house when these were turned up to moderate listening volumes. No more rattles. For that alone, worth it. Sound is tight and doesn't seem as boomy anymore. Sub-bass still digs deep.

Very best,

This is what I'm hoping for with my SubDudes, so we shall see!

amgala

Wow, the SubDude is amazing! Just as others have said, it has clean up the bass significantly, and reduced rattling of nearby items.

Erik Tracy

amgala wrote: »

Wow, the SubDude is amazing! Just as others have said, it has clean up the bass significantly, and reduced rattling of nearby items.

Great! Glad to hear you had positive results.
:cheesygrin:
Now......how else can we help spend your money????

amgala

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Great! Glad to hear you had positive results.
:cheesygrin:
Now......how else can we help spend your money????

Haha there will always be something. An XPA-5 maybe? :twisted:

I have been considering buying a better center channel. This is my first real surround system and I didn't realize how much emphasis the center channel has. I wish I got lower model Monitors for my rears and spent the extra money on a better center!