SDA 1-C Speaker Tweak re: Vibrapods

dbnh
dbnh Posts: 194
edited March 2003 in Speakers
I recently tweaked my SDA 1-Cs using Vibrapods, and the results are so good I thought I'd post the tweak. I note I have the studio version of the SDA 1-Cs, and they have given me years of pleasure. I've been adding Vibrapods to all my separates, and the results (esp. under the CD player and turntable) have been so good I thought I'd try it on the speakers. The steps I took are listed below. Good luck to anyone out there who wants to try this tweak. Drop me a post if you have any questions, or if you just want to gloat over the results.

SDA 1-C / Vibrapod Tweak

1) Gently unscrew the 4 screws from the base of each SDA 1-C (while you have the screwdriver out, you might as well gently tighten up the screws holding the drivers and passive radiators). Set the bases aside - you'll need them later. Forget about the screws.

2) Measure the bottom of one of the speakers, and cut out a similarly sized piece of 1/2" thick medium density fiberboard (MFD). Repeat for the other speaker (you can prime and paint the MFD if you like - I didn't bother). I note I made my MFD boards about 1/4" longer on each side - it made the set up a little easier, but you don't need to do this.

3) The weight of each SDA 1-C is 85 lbs. I got the Vibrapd information and calculated I should use the following Vibrapods under each speaker: four #4s, and four #2s. Thus, I needed to purchase a total of eight #4s, and eight #2s. (I note the oak-finish SDA 1-Cs weigh in around 100 lbs each. You'll have to configure on your own what Vibrapods to get to displace 100 lbs. Simply go to the Vibrapod web site and look at the on-line manual/directions.)

4) Place each SDA 1-C base that you removed back where you had the respective speaker initially placed. Next, on each base, center one of the MFD boards you cut.

5) Now you have to position the Vibrapods. First, I placed one #4 Vibrapod in each corner. Next, I placed one #2 Vibrapod midway between the rear two Vibrapods, and one #2 Vibrapod midway between the two front Vibrapods. Then, on the left side, I placed one of the remaining two #2 Vibrapods a bit forward of the mid-point between the rear left and front left corner Vibrapods (I note the front portion of the speakers, due the postion and weight of the drivers, weighs more than the rear part.) I mirrored this procedure on the right side.

6) Grab a friend and one of the SDA 1-Cs, and gently position it on top of the Vibrapods. Do the same for the remaining SDA 1-C.

My results are as follows:

(1) Bass was much tighter and not boomy.
(2) Midrange was much tighter and defined (I note some persons feel the midrange on the SDAs is not as good as some speakers - wait until you hear the before and after difference with the Vibrapods!)
(3) High end is much more defined.
(4) Much more detailed music - I was hearing detail I never had before. Great clarity and superb imaging!
(5) More open and deeper sound stage.

I highly recommend this tweak. The total cost of my tweak was under $100: 16 Vibrapods, including shipping, was $87; this included a $7 discount due to a previous purchase, and free shipping. (Sorry Polk Store, I didn't buy this set from you because you charge shipping.); MFD sheet was $4.99 at Home Depot.

I spent 10 minutes total measuring and cutting the MFD. Add another three minutes to unscrew the bases. Add 10 more minutes to arrange the bases, MFD, Vibrapods, and speakers. I feel the return on this modest investment of time and $ was remarkable.


I also note the Vibrapods may take up to a couple days to settle in, but you should hear great results as soon as you do the tweak!
My system

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