Thanks for the clarification John. Regarding Ultra 5's, should the beveled side be against the component bottom, meaning the pockets of technology are closer to the vibrating/resonating device ?
Doctor's Orders-Part Two-The New Listening Room Of Steve Williams
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Thanks for the clarification John. Regarding Ultra 5's, should the beveled side be against the component bottom, meaning the pockets of technology are closer to the vibrating/resonating device ?
On the Ultra 5's that I experimented with, the threaded insert was on the flat side, not the beveled side. So if the beveled side, which has the pockets of technology in them, is meant to be near the vibrating surface, how can one also use the threaded inserts to go into the bottom of the speakers? Perhaps the Ultra 5's should be placed flush under the speakers without the threads inserted.
Or in the case of speakers, perhaps the vibrating/resonating surface is in fact the floor, not the speaker. Then your question makes more sense.
Stillpoints Products Placement Suggestions
Yes, this is exactly the kind of experimenting we strongly encourage for exactly the reason you wrote about. We know through our experiences finding those "sweet" spots on and under components that correspond to internal components known to vibrate; transformers, transports, etc, optimize the performance of our products. Some users, though, cannot get past the non-symmetric cosmetic of locating the product using these guidelines. I think it's a shame to miss out on optimized performance.
Yes, this is exactly the kind of experimenting we strongly encourage for exactly the reason you wrote about. We know through our experiences finding those "sweet" spots on and under components that correspond to internal components known to vibrate; transformers, transports, etc, optimize the performance of our products. Some users, though, cannot get past the non-symmetric cosmetic of locating the product using these guidelines. I think it's a shame to miss out on optimized performance.
Stillpoints Use Guidelines
Leaving a space between the Stillpoints product and component being isolated creates a non-linear path through which the vibration has to travel allowing quicker and more thorough dissipation of that energy.
Leaving a space between the Stillpoints product and component being isolated creates a non-linear path through which the vibration has to travel allowing quicker and more thorough dissipation of that energy.
Yes, we make a 3/6-16 to 1/4-20 adapter for Wilson speakers. Attaching is better because it allows for the space between our product and the component being isolated.
I must admit that my experience with placing Ultra 5's under my speakers was nothing short of astonishing. As a result I would like to make some further additions to my system. Seems the next best places would be under amps and under subs.
I get the technology with respect to placing these UNDER components and speakers but what totally baffles me is how placing Ultra 5's on top of components make such a stunning improvement as well. I just don't get it. Would placing a heavy weight on top of the component rather than one of these expensive Stillpoints produce the same effect and thus minimize some expense.
Perhaps if John is still reading these posts he might be able to offer up some explanation.
Peter
this is a question that I have pondered as well. Perhaps John might offer an explanation. I have been reading that people use these under components with the bevel side up and without adapters
I understand that
What I don't understand is how an Ultra 5 provides release of vibration because it's not coupled to anything. Hence my question of just a heavy metal weight on top of components
The spring inside them converts the vibration energy into another type of energy. Such as motion and also friction which turns into heat. That's how they get rid of vibrations.
I vote for heavy metal weight on top of equipment. There is no way to transfer energy since one end is open-ended (meaning it's not coupled to anything).
If the Stillpoints were actually transferring vibrational energy into thermal energy, you should be able to see and measure the heat delta between the bottom of the Stillpoint that is sitting on top of a component and the top of the Stillpoint that is not coupled to anything with a thermal imager.
Sure you should. Especially when the Stillpoint hunk of metal costs $700 each. Maybe the true answer is that you actually need several hundred thousand dollars of them to fully trick out your system and make it sound the best it is capable of. Under speakers, subs, stands, each piece of gear you own including outboard power supplies. Then you have to start placing them on top of each component. Maybe next you start looking at the furniture in your room and start eyeballing that large house plant in the corner and think it could probably use a trio of Stillpoints sitting under it. Ditto for the floor lamps. Then you start looking at your shoes and start thinking about how you could custom design a new pair of shoes with 1/4-20 threads in the soles and you could install a pair of Stillpoints on each shoe for when you are in your listening room and your feet are coupled to the floor. And while the mind is wandering, you saw off a 4" chunk from a 2x4 and drill a hole in the center of it and install a metal insert so you can screw in a Stillpoint. Next you attach a strap from each side of the 2x4 so you can sit the 2x4 on top of your head and secure the straps under your chin. Now any body vibrations you have that are escaping into the room will be transferred to heat and come out of the top of your head through the Stillpoint. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and bank account.
I didn't mean that I vote for a heavy metal weight in place of a Stillpoint. I just meant that I think the Stillpoint is acting as a heavy weight and dampening the chassis in the area it's placed if it's unloaded on the other end.
