Equipment Vibration Control
Audiophile Benefits of EVP and Constrained Layer Damping
The primary purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to mitigate unwanted vibrations and resonances that can adversely affect both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, whether airborne or structureborne. These unwanted effects can cause various audible distortions, interfering with the audio equipment's performance and the original artistic intent.
Key Benefits:
-
Improved Sound Quality: EVP enhances clarity, dynamics, timbre, and soundstage by reducing resonances and vibrations that would otherwise compete with or mask the original signal.
-
Sound Transmission Reduction: With EVP, there's an approximate 80% or more reduction in vibrations transferred to and from the equipment, thanks to the de-coupling and dissipation of vibrations as heat.
-
Stabilized Environment: EVPs prevent walls, floors, ceilings, equipment, and furnishings from vibrating and re-radiating sound energy. This applies whether the equipment is the source or recipient of vibrations.
Engineering Insights:
-
Vibration Transfer: A vibration isolator acts as a resilient support, decoupling an object from forced vibration. The natural frequency and damping determine the system’s transmissibility, which relates to the stiffness of the isolation system and the mass it supports.
-
Tuned Damping: This dissipates unintended energy quickly, enhancing isolation efficiency (>80%) from approximately 5 – 14 Hz and up, depending on EVP size, density, and load.
-
Core Material: The EVP core, made of compressed high-density molded fibers, allows controlled air movement and provides viscous damping, converting sound energy to heat through friction.
-
Stabilization Process: The material is stabilized through multiple precompression cycles to maximize durability and performance.
Structural Components:
-
Stainless Steel Plates: Cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates distribute weight evenly and allow for the use of cones or spikes without compromising performance.
-
Constrained-Layer Damping Compound: This compound improves EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, broadening the bandwidth, and reducing ringing.
-
Durability: Unlike other materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age, and extreme temperatures, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Conclusion:
While not flashy, EVPs are incredibly functional, affordable, and reliable, delivering performance results beyond expectations by maintaining the integrity of audio signals and ensuring optimal sound quality through effective vibration isolation.
The purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to control unwanted vibrations and resonances from causing adverse effects to both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, both airborne and structureborne.
These effects can cause many kinds of audible distortions, which interfere with the potential performance of
the audio equipment, as well as the original artistic intent.
The Result in sound quality with EVP is improved
clarity, dynamics, timbre and soundstage because resonances and vibrations are mitigated and can no longer
compete, mask or interfere with the original signal.
The Result in sound transmission with EVP is about an
80% or more reduction in vibrations being transferred to the equipment, and/or from the equipment to
neighboring spaces via the interconnected structure, because the EVP de-couples those vibrations and
dissipates them as heat.
With EVPs in place, your walls, floor, ceiling, equipment and furnishings no longer vibrate and re-radiate sound energy.
Vibration isolation works whether the equipment itself is the source of unwanted vibrations, or is the recipient.
Vibration transfer is a two-way street.
A vibration isolator is a resilient support which decouples an object from forced vibration.
Natural frequency and damping are the properties which determine the transmissibility of the system. The natural frequency is a function of the stiffness of the isolation system in conjunction with the mass (load) being supported.
The purpose of tuned damping is to dissipate the unintended energy as quickly as possible.
Transmissibility is the ratio of the output vibration divided by the input vibration. It is the amount of vibration
passing through the system. The isolation efficiency of the EVP is conservatively >80% from approximately 5 – 14 Hz.
(depending EVP size, density and load) and up. This means that better than 80% of the vibratory force is not
transmitted to the support structure, or the equipment.
The EVP core is a precisely compressed high-density molded fibers matrix, which allows
controlled air movement through the fibers.
This action provides viscous damping, reducing physical motion, while widening the frequency bandwidth of attenuation. As sound energy moves fibers against fibers, the friction transforms sound energy to heat energy.
The matrix of the glass leaf springs is bonded at all fiber intersections with a low VOC water-resistant binder during the molding process under controlled heat and pressure.
The material is then stabilized by multiple precompression cycles to many times the maximum published load capacity for the specific density of the media
​
The cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates on the top and bottom of the pad function to
evenly deflect the weight across the whole surface for even weight distribution.
They also allow cone or spikes to be used without damaging or compromising the performance of the pad core.
The constrained-layer damping compound used to bond the steel plates to the fiberglass core. This damping further improves the EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, which broadens the bandwidth, reduces ringing, etc. RoomDamp 2 is a viscoelastic paste that remains pliable and never hardens.
Unlike other elastomeric materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age and extreme
temperatures. EVP materials, manufacturing and assembly is U.S.A. Made.
They may not be sexy, but they are very functional,
affordable and reliable.​
Delivering performance results above and beyond expectations.
​
​
Continuous Shot Comparison
​
Note the EVP is demonstrated last, and is a fraction of the cost compared to these competitive products.
The music box tines in the video below are moving about +/- 0.1 mm. When coupled to the tabletop, the tabletop acts as a soundboard and amplifies the energy by about 27 dB SPL, yet it is only moving a few billionths of a meter.
The tine amplitude is about 100,000 times larger than the tabletop, yet the transfer of vibration to the larger tabletop surface area becomes a closer impedance match with the surrounding air and therefore produces more sound.
The EVP de-couples by converting the mechanical energy into heat. Note each "coupler" sounds (performs) different. The music box mechanism is similar in movement and frequency as a tweeter- small compared to the energy found in a woofer, yet "couplers" are very efficient in transferring even tiny magnitudes of high or low frequency energy.
​
​
​
Audiophile Benefits of EVP and Constrained Layer Damping
The primary purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to mitigate unwanted vibrations and resonances that can adversely affect both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, whether airborne or structureborne. These unwanted effects can cause various audible distortions, interfering with the audio equipment's performance and the original artistic intent.
Key Benefits:
-
Improved Sound Quality: EVP enhances clarity, dynamics, timbre, and soundstage by reducing resonances and vibrations that would otherwise compete with or mask the original signal.
-
Sound Transmission Reduction: With EVP, there's an approximate 80% or more reduction in vibrations transferred to and from the equipment, thanks to the de-coupling and dissipation of vibrations as heat.
-
Stabilized Environment: EVPs prevent walls, floors, ceilings, equipment, and furnishings from vibrating and re-radiating sound energy. This applies whether the equipment is the source or recipient of vibrations.
Engineering Insights:
-
Vibration Transfer: A vibration isolator acts as a resilient support, decoupling an object from forced vibration. The natural frequency and damping determine the system’s transmissibility, which relates to the stiffness of the isolation system and the mass it supports.
-
Tuned Damping: This dissipates unintended energy quickly, enhancing isolation efficiency (>80%) from approximately 5 – 14 Hz and up, depending on EVP size, density, and load.
-
Core Material: The EVP core, made of compressed high-density molded fibers, allows controlled air movement and provides viscous damping, converting sound energy to heat through friction.
-
Stabilization Process: The material is stabilized through multiple precompression cycles to maximize durability and performance.
Structural Components:
-
Stainless Steel Plates: Cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates distribute weight evenly and allow for the use of cones or spikes without compromising performance.
-
Constrained-Layer Damping Compound: This compound improves EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, broadening the bandwidth, and reducing ringing.
-
Durability: Unlike other materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age, and extreme temperatures, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Conclusion:
While not flashy, EVPs are incredibly functional, affordable, and reliable, delivering performance results beyond expectations by maintaining the integrity of audio signals and ensuring optimal sound quality through effective vibration isolation.
The purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to control unwanted vibrations and resonances from causing adverse effects to both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, both airborne and structureborne.
These effects can cause many kinds of audible distortions, which interfere with the potential performance of
the audio equipment, as well as the original artistic intent.
The Result in sound quality with EVP is improved
clarity, dynamics, timbre and soundstage because resonances and vibrations are mitigated and can no longer
compete, mask or interfere with the original signal.
The Result in sound transmission with EVP is about an
80% or more reduction in vibrations being transferred to the equipment, and/or from the equipment to
neighboring spaces via the interconnected structure, because the EVP de-couples those vibrations and
dissipates them as heat.
With EVPs in place, your walls, floor, ceiling, equipment and furnishings no longer vibrate and re-radiate sound energy.
Vibration isolation works whether the equipment itself is the source of unwanted vibrations, or is the recipient.
Vibration transfer is a two-way street.
A vibration isolator is a resilient support which decouples an object from forced vibration.
Natural frequency and damping are the properties which determine the transmissibility of the system. The natural frequency is a function of the stiffness of the isolation system in conjunction with the mass (load) being supported.
The purpose of tuned damping is to dissipate the unintended energy as quickly as possible.
Transmissibility is the ratio of the output vibration divided by the input vibration. It is the amount of vibration
passing through the system. The isolation efficiency of the EVP is conservatively >80% from approximately 5 – 14 Hz.
(depending EVP size, density and load) and up. This means that better than 80% of the vibratory force is not
transmitted to the support structure, or the equipment.
The EVP core is a precisely compressed high-density molded fibers matrix, which allows
controlled air movement through the fibers.
This action provides viscous damping, reducing physical motion, while widening the frequency bandwidth of attenuation. As sound energy moves fibers against fibers, the friction transforms sound energy to heat energy.
The matrix of the glass leaf springs is bonded at all fiber intersections with a low VOC water-resistant binder during the molding process under controlled heat and pressure.
The material is then stabilized by multiple precompression cycles to many times the maximum published load capacity for the specific density of the media
​
The cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates on the top and bottom of the pad function to
evenly deflect the weight across the whole surface for even weight distribution.
They also allow cone or spikes to be used without damaging or compromising the performance of the pad core.
The constrained-layer damping compound used to bond the steel plates to the fiberglass core. This damping further improves the EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, which broadens the bandwidth, reduces ringing, etc. RoomDamp 2 is a viscoelastic paste that remains pliable and never hardens.
Unlike other elastomeric materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age and extreme
temperatures. EVP materials, manufacturing and assembly is U.S.A. Made.
They may not be sexy, but they are very functional,
affordable and reliable.​
Delivering performance results above and beyond expectations.
​
​
Continuous Shot Comparison
​
Note the EVP is demonstrated last, and is a fraction of the cost compared to these competitive products.
The music box tines in the video below are moving about +/- 0.1 mm. When coupled to the tabletop, the tabletop acts as a soundboard and amplifies the energy by about 27 dB SPL, yet it is only moving a few billionths of a meter.
The tine amplitude is about 100,000 times larger than the tabletop, yet the transfer of vibration to the larger tabletop surface area becomes a closer impedance match with the surrounding air and therefore produces more sound.
The EVP de-couples by converting the mechanical energy into heat. Note each "coupler" sounds (performs) different. The music box mechanism is similar in movement and frequency as a tweeter- small compared to the energy found in a woofer, yet "couplers" are very efficient in transferring even tiny magnitudes of high or low frequency energy.
​
Vibration Control
&
Room Acoustic Control
The Discerning Listener understands the need for versatility in approaching each clients unique circumstance, set up and requirements.
​​
The Discerning Listener, is your solutions focused audio consulting and delivery provider.
Our approach ensures true independence, accessing the right product for your specific requirements.
​
Enhance your indulgence of discerning listening
Key Points on Hi-Fi Systems Vibration Control and Room Acoustics
​
Hi-Fi Systems Vibration Control
&​
Room Acoustic Treatments
-
Starting Point:
Always begin with assessing the room’s acoustic behavior before selecting components, speakers, or cables.
-
Impact of Room Acoustics:
The room’s acoustic nature significantly impacts Hi-Fi system performance, more than the cost of electronics.
-
Evaluation Needed:
Assessing the room’s basic acoustic properties is essential to understand system performance requirements and synergy.
-
Misunderstanding Acoustic Treatments:
Acoustic Isolation (preventing sound escape/entry) is often confused with Acoustic Control (managing sound behavior within the space). Most homes benefit more from Acoustic Control.
-
Achieving Acoustic Control:
Doesn't mean looking like a recording studio. Clever placement of electronics and household furniture can help control the room’s acoustic nature, creating a balanced and symmetrical acoustic image.
-
Importance of Room Acoustics:
Ignoring the room’s acoustic nature in audio system design is ill-informed, regardless of budget.
-
Role of Speakers:
Suggesting speakers alone achieve a particular sound overlooks the physics of sound behavior in a given space.
-
Room/Equipment Synergy:
The key to Hi-Fi quality audio is achieving synergy between the room and equipment.
-
Component Personalities:
Understanding the basic personalities of components and how they interact helps in matching them for optimal performance in specific acoustic environments.
-
Balancing Sonic Characters:
Like ingredients in a recipe, sonic traits must be balanced. Specialist designers can achieve superior musical performance even on modest budgets.
-
Avoiding Trial and Error:
Engaging a specialist can avoid costly and endless trial and error in establishing component synergy.
-
Complexities and Opinions:
Achieving quality sonic results in Hi-Fi systems varies widely based on brands, genres, and room environments.
Room as a Physical System: The room is as crucial as the Hi-Fi components for achieving balanced frequency response and musical results.
-
​Integration Synergy:
Aim for room/audio system integration to enhance equipment performance and maximize investment.
-
Acoustic Environment Types:
Rooms can be categorized into Hard Room, Soft Room, and Open Plan based on their sonic characteristics.
-
Misunderstanding in Treatments:
Acoustic Isolation (preventing sound escape/entry) is often confused with Acoustic Control (managing sound behavior within the space). Most homes benefit more from Acoustic Control.
The Role of Constrained Layer Damping and Vibration Control in Hi-Fi Equipment for Audiophiles:
In the pursuit of high-fidelity audio, audiophiles strive to minimise any form of distortion that can interfere with the purity of sound reproduction. One significant source of such distortion is vibration. Both internal and external vibrations can detrimentally affect the performance of audio equipment. Among the various techniques to mitigate these unwanted vibrations, constrained layer damping (CLD) stands out for its effectiveness and versatility.
Understanding Constrained Layer Damping (CLD):
Constrained layer damping is a technique that employs multiple layers of materials with different properties to absorb and dissipate vibrational energy. Typically, CLD involves a viscoelastic material sandwiched between rigid layers. When the structure is subjected to vibration, the viscoelastic material deforms, converting the vibrational energy into heat, which is then dissipated. This process significantly reduces the amplitude of vibrations, leading to a more stable and controlled environment for audio equipment.
Devices Utilizing Constrained Layer Damping:
Several devices and components in the Hi-Fi world use CLD to enhance performance:
Turntable Plinths and Platters:
Many high-end turntables incorporate CLD in their plinths and platters to isolate and dampen vibrations. By reducing resonances, these turntables ensure that the stylus tracks the record groove more accurately, leading to clearer sound reproduction.
Equipment Racks and Isolation Platforms:
Specialized racks and platforms often feature CLD to minimize the transmission of vibrations from the floor or surrounding environment to the audio equipment. This isolation helps maintain the integrity of the audio signal.
​
Speaker Cabinets:
Some speaker designs use CLD within their cabinets to reduce cabinet resonances. This results in a cleaner, more accurate sound, as the speaker drivers are less affected by unwanted vibrations.
Amplifiers and Other Components:
Amplifiers, DACs, and other audio components benefit from CLD, which helps to protect sensitive electronic circuits from microphonic effects caused by vibrations.
​
Benefits of Vibration Control:
The advantages of effective vibration control, particularly through the use of CLD, are numerous and impactful, and include noticeably improved dynamics, sound stage, depth height and breadth of imaging, stability and precision, dynamics, and extended life of the components.
Enhanced Sound Clarity:
By minimizing vibrations, CLD helps in reducing the noise floor, leading to a clearer and more detailed sound. This allows audiophiles to hear the nuances and subtleties in their music more distinctly.
Improved Dynamics:
Vibration control ensures that the audio signal remains uncolored and true to the source. This results in better dynamics, where quiet passages are preserved, and louder sections are delivered without distortion.
Stability and Precision:
Equipment stability is crucial for high-fidelity playback. CLD provides this stability by dampening vibrations, allowing components like turntables and speakers to perform at their best without being influenced by external factors.
Extended Component Life:
Reducing vibrations not only enhances sound quality but also extends the lifespan of audio components. Vibrations can cause physical wear and tear over time, and CLD helps mitigate this effect, leading to more durable equipment.
True Artistic Intent:
Ultimately, effective vibration control allows audiophiles to experience music as the artist intended. By preserving the integrity of the audio signal, listeners can enjoy a more authentic and immersive sound experience.
Conclusion
Constrained layer damping and vibration control are essential in the audiophile's quest for sonic perfection. By incorporating CLD into various audio components and devices, manufacturers can significantly enhance sound clarity, dynamics, and overall performance.
For audiophiles, investing in effective vibration control is a key step toward achieving the highest fidelity playback, allowing them to fully appreciate the artistry and detail of their favorite recordings. The benefits extend beyond mere sound quality, providing stability, durability, and a truer representation of the original audio signal.
Achieve effective Vibration Control:
​
Starting Point:
Assessing Vibration Control Needs
The journey to achieving exceptional Hi-Fi audio performance begins with understanding and mitigating vibrations that affect the equipment. Before selecting components, speakers, or cables, it's crucial to evaluate the vibration control needs of your setup. Controlling unwanted vibrations significantly impacts the overall performance of the Hi-Fi system, often more to a similar level as room acoustics.
​
Step 1:
Evaluating Vibration Sources
Conducting a thorough evaluation of potential vibration transmission paths is essential. These pathways can include the floor, equipment rack, cables, speakers and external influences like footfall, and the vibrations generated by the system itself. Identifying these sources and pathways helps in determining the requirements for effective vibration control.
​
Step 2:
Understanding Vibration Isolation
Many people confuse Acoustic Isolation, which prevents sound from escaping or entering a space, with Vibration Isolation, which controls the vibrations within the system. Vibration Isolation is more relevant for audio equipment, as it directly impacts the clarity and precision of the sound.
​
Step 3:
Importance of Vibration Control
Ignoring vibration control in audio system design is a fundamental oversight, irrespective of budget. The physics of vibrations and their impact on the equipment cannot be ignored. Suggesting that components alone will achieve a particular sound quality overlooks this critical aspect.
Step 4:
Implementing Vibration Control Solutions
The cornerstone of high-quality audio lies in effectively isolating equipment from unwanted vibrations. Utilizing vibration isolators, damping materials, and isolation platforms helps in achieving this goal. Understanding the basic properties of these solutions and how they interact with the equipment is key.
Step 5:
Balancing Equipment Performance
Much like ingredients in a recipe, the performance of audio equipment must be balanced with proper vibration control measures. Specialist designers can achieve superior musical performance even with modest budgets by balancing these factors effectively. This approach avoids the pitfalls of trial and error, which can be costly and time-consuming.
​
Step 6:
Engaging Specialists
Engaging a specialist can save time and resources. Specialists bring a wealth of experience in implementing effective vibration control solutions, ensuring that all elements of the system work harmoniously. This approach minimizes the complexities and subjective opinions often associated with achieving quality sonic results in Hi-Fi systems.
Step 7:
Understanding the Equipment as a System
The equipment itself is as crucial as the room for achieving balanced frequency response and musical results. Aim for integration between the equipment and vibration control solutions to enhance performance and maximize your investment.
​
Step 8:
Categorizing Vibration Control Solutions
Vibration control solutions can be categorized based on their properties: Mechanical Isolators, Damping Materials, and Isolation Platforms. Each type has distinct characteristics that affect how vibrations are managed within the system. Understanding these categories helps in tailoring the audio system to suit the specific requirements.
Step 9:
Clarifying Vibration Isolation Misunderstandings
Revisiting the common confusion, it's essential to differentiate between Acoustic Isolation and Vibration Isolation. While Acoustic Isolation focuses on sound containment, Vibration Isolation is about managing how vibrations interact within the system. Most audio setups benefit more from the latter, enhancing sound quality through thoughtful design.
Conclusion
Achieving high-fidelity audio performance is a systematic process that starts with understanding and controlling vibrations that affect the equipment. By focusing on effective vibration isolation, balancing equipment performance, and engaging specialists, you can create an audio system that delivers exceptional sound quality. The equipment's role as a system is crucial, and effective integration enhances both the performance of the equipment and the overall listening experience.
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​​
​
The Essentials, are categorised into the following:
1. Vibration Control & Room Acoustics
​
Complexities of Hi-Fi systems and the opinions of how to achieve quality sonic results are as broad ranging as brands; genre and rooms the systems are placed in.
As an extension of the electrical system (the Hi-Fi components,) the room can be considered the Physical System and is equally important when system synergies are to be matched when the end goal is achieving a balanced frequency response and musical result. The start point must always be the room. Assessment of the acoustic behavior of the room must be taken into consideration prior to selection of any component, speaker’s or cables.
As the foundation of any Hi-Fi system, the sonic attributes of the space. The most often overlooked component, the acoustic nature of the room itself will have a 99.99% impact on the performance of the Hi-Fi equipment system, regardless of the dollars spent on electronics.
Evaluation and assessment of the basic acoustic properties of the room are required before an understanding of the system performance and system synergy can be identified.
Room/Audio system integration synergy is the goal, and thus a system with the required attributes identified and designed, improving the overall, performance of the equipment, maximizing the return on the dollar investment ratios of the Hi-Fi system.
The differing sonic characters of acoustic environments can be categorized into 3 basic types.
The Hard Room,
The Soft Room,
The Open Plan.
Isolation V's Control
One of the greatest misunderstandings of room acoustic treatments is that of Acoustic Isolation, to Acoustic Control. Acoustic Isolation, to prevent sound escaping or entering the space, Confused with Acoustic Control as the behavior of sound within the space.
Most domestic situations will benefit significantly from Acoustic Control within the space, without the need to Acoustically Isolate the space.
The ability to control the Acoustic nature of the space can be achieved with clever placement of the electronics system itself, as well as normal household furniture. Creating a balanced and symmetrical acoustic image within the space is only achievable when considerations to acoustic behavior of the room are given.
Audio system design concepts ignoring the acoustic nature of the space is simply an ill-informed approach to achieving a quality result regardless of the budget.
To suggest the speakers as a key to achieving a particular sound is ignorance of the physics of sound behavior within a given space.
“The key to designing Hi-Fi quality audio result is room/equipment system synergy.”
Basic personalities of individual components and equipment will fall into one of the 3 personality categories. Understanding these personalities and how they interact is a distinct advantage when synergistic-ally matching components within a Hi-Fi system for an appropriate performance within a specific acoustic environment.
Considered as “ingredients”, the traits of sonic characters must be balanced in the recipe of musical performance, with use of clever calibration techniques, quality specialist audio system designers often produce musical sweetness for modest budgets, that well outperform systems at the same or higher prices, where considerations to these characters have been poorly applied.
Often, costly, seemingly endless trial and error to establish the “synergy” of audio components within a system can be avoided when the services of a specialist are engaged.
“The results prove performance has everything to do with how you invest, rather than how much you spend.”
The true specialist will know the different sonic performance characters and personalities of many makes and models intimately and be able to convey these characteristics in easy to understand language.
Decades of experience prove there are as many philosophies to building a Hi-Fi system, as there are dealers, although not all philosophies yield performance results.
“The Philosophy to subscribe to is to start with the room; any other approach is flawed before the first component is chosen. “
Regardless of the listeners' preference for how the sound is presented, to build a system to sound a particular way, without taking into consideration the acoustic nature of the room the system will ultimately reside in is virtually impossible. To achieve, realism, transparency let alone a warm or highly detailed and analytical sound, a wide deep sound-stage or an upfront monitor-style presentation of sound.
The room will impact on the system attributes by 99.99%. The Effect of a few reflections the free field response is vastly different to the studio response.
Building a personal preference listening system will only be achieved when taking the acoustic nature of the space into account.
The Hi-Fi Specialist dealer will assess the acoustic situation and design a system solution that works accordingly.
“To recommend components, without such an assessment is much easier for the dealer though significantly more expensive for the consumer.”
The philosophy that there is a “correct sound” can only be achieved when the Hi-Fi system and room acoustic personalities are complimentary. The audience is immersed in sound; the listener is in the music, palpable realism, presence and coherency of musical engagement, promoting the release of dopamine, creating the “Goosebumps effect”
Experiencing high-end reference components when set up correctly, and integrated with the room, first and foremost, producing music, faithful to the recording.
Poor recordings become tolerable and musical, and good recordings create measurable changes in brain chemistry, serotonin, endorphin and dopamine releases engage the audience in moments of amazement with a sense of scale, and dynamics appropriate to the music.
The best systems musically perform and handle wide eclectic musical tastes and styles, masterfully capable and competent, from the most transient dynamic, to smallest of detail with equal deft and poise.
The experience of an audio system with mastery of transparency and realism makes it difficult to return to a genre specific character system because all music sounds similar, warm or bright characteristics become meaningless when the Hi-Fi system is reproducing "as real" instruments.
​
The Essentials, are categorised into the following:
1. Vibration Control & Room Acoustics
​
Complexities of Hi-Fi systems and the opinions of how to achieve quality sonic results are as broad ranging as brands; genre and rooms the systems are placed in.
As an extension of the electrical system (the Hi-Fi components,) the room can be considered the Physical System and is equally important when system synergies are to be matched when the end goal is achieving a balanced frequency response and musical result. The start point must always be the room. Assessment of the acoustic behavior of the room must be taken into consideration prior to selection of any component, speaker’s or cables.
As the foundation of any Hi-Fi system, the sonic attributes of the space. The most often overlooked component, the acoustic nature of the room itself will have a 99.99% impact on the performance of the Hi-Fi equipment system, regardless of the dollars spent on electronics.
Evaluation and assessment of the basic acoustic properties of the room are required before an understanding of the system performance and system synergy can be identified.
Room/Audio system integration synergy is the goal, and thus a system with the required attributes identified and designed, improving the overall, performance of the equipment, maximizing the return on the dollar investment ratios of the Hi-Fi system.
The differing sonic characters of acoustic environments can be categorized into 3 basic types.
The Hard Room,
The Soft Room,
The Open Plan.
Isolation V's Control
One of the greatest misunderstandings of room acoustic treatments is that of Acoustic Isolation, to Acoustic Control. Acoustic Isolation, to prevent sound escaping or entering the space, Confused with Acoustic Control as the behavior of sound within the space.
Most domestic situations will benefit significantly from Acoustic Control within the space, without the need to Acoustically Isolate the space.
The ability to control the Acoustic nature of the space can be achieved with clever placement of the electronics system itself, as well as normal household furniture. Creating a balanced and symmetrical acoustic image within the space is only achievable when considerations to acoustic behavior of the room are given.
Audio system design concepts ignoring the acoustic nature of the space is simply an ill-informed approach to achieving a quality result regardless of the budget.
To suggest the speakers as a key to achieving a particular sound is ignorance of the physics of sound behavior within a given space.
“The key to designing Hi-Fi quality audio result is room/equipment system synergy.”
Basic personalities of individual components and equipment will fall into one of the 3 personality categories. Understanding these personalities and how they interact is a distinct advantage when synergistic-ally matching components within a Hi-Fi system for an appropriate performance within a specific acoustic environment.
Considered as “ingredients”, the traits of sonic characters must be balanced in the recipe of musical performance, with use of clever calibration techniques, quality specialist audio system designers often produce musical sweetness for modest budgets, that well outperform systems at the same or higher prices, where considerations to these characters have been poorly applied.
Often, costly, seemingly endless trial and error to establish the “synergy” of audio components within a system can be avoided when the services of a specialist are engaged.
“The results prove performance has everything to do with how you invest, rather than how much you spend.”
The true specialist will know the different sonic performance characters and personalities of many makes and models intimately and be able to convey these characteristics in easy to understand language.
Decades of experience prove there are as many philosophies to building a Hi-Fi system, as there are dealers, although not all philosophies yield performance results.
“The Philosophy to subscribe to is to start with the room; any other approach is flawed before the first component is chosen. “
Regardless of the listeners' preference for how the sound is presented, to build a system to sound a particular way, without taking into consideration the acoustic nature of the room the system will ultimately reside in is virtually impossible. To achieve, realism, transparency let alone a warm or highly detailed and analytical sound, a wide deep sound-stage or an upfront monitor-style presentation of sound.
The room will impact on the system attributes by 99.99%. The Effect of a few reflections the free field response is vastly different to the studio response.
Building a personal preference listening system will only be achieved when taking the acoustic nature of the space into account.
The Hi-Fi Specialist dealer will assess the acoustic situation and design a system solution that works accordingly.
“To recommend components, without such an assessment is much easier for the dealer though significantly more expensive for the consumer.”
The philosophy that there is a “correct sound” can only be achieved when the Hi-Fi system and room acoustic personalities are complimentary. The audience is immersed in sound; the listener is in the music, palpable realism, presence and coherency of musical engagement, promoting the release of dopamine, creating the “Goosebumps effect”
Experiencing high-end reference components when set up correctly, and integrated with the room, first and foremost, producing music, faithful to the recording.
Poor recordings become tolerable and musical, and good recordings create measurable changes in brain chemistry, serotonin, endorphin and dopamine releases engage the audience in moments of amazement with a sense of scale, and dynamics appropriate to the music.
The best systems musically perform and handle wide eclectic musical tastes and styles, masterfully capable and competent, from the most transient dynamic, to smallest of detail with equal deft and poise.
The experience of an audio system with mastery of transparency and realism makes it difficult to return to a genre specific character system because all music sounds similar, warm or bright characteristics become meaningless when the Hi-Fi system is reproducing "as real" instruments.
Audiophile Benefits of EVP and Constrained Layer Damping
The primary purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to mitigate unwanted vibrations and resonances that can adversely affect both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, whether airborne or structureborne. These unwanted effects can cause various audible distortions, interfering with the audio equipment's performance and the original artistic intent.
Key Benefits:
-
Improved Sound Quality: EVP enhances clarity, dynamics, timbre, and soundstage by reducing resonances and vibrations that would otherwise compete with or mask the original signal.
-
Sound Transmission Reduction: With EVP, there's an approximate 80% or more reduction in vibrations transferred to and from the equipment, thanks to the de-coupling and dissipation of vibrations as heat.
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Stabilized Environment: EVPs prevent walls, floors, ceilings, equipment, and furnishings from vibrating and re-radiating sound energy. This applies whether the equipment is the source or recipient of vibrations.
Engineering Insights:
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Vibration Transfer: A vibration isolator acts as a resilient support, decoupling an object from forced vibration. The natural frequency and damping determine the system’s transmissibility, which relates to the stiffness of the isolation system and the mass it supports.
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Tuned Damping: This dissipates unintended energy quickly, enhancing isolation efficiency (>80%) from approximately 5 – 14 Hz and up, depending on EVP size, density, and load.
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Core Material: The EVP core, made of compressed high-density molded fibers, allows controlled air movement and provides viscous damping, converting sound energy to heat through friction.
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Stabilization Process: The material is stabilized through multiple precompression cycles to maximize durability and performance.
Structural Components:
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Stainless Steel Plates: Cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates distribute weight evenly and allow for the use of cones or spikes without compromising performance.
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Constrained-Layer Damping Compound: This compound improves EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, broadening the bandwidth, and reducing ringing.
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Durability: Unlike other materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age, and extreme temperatures, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Conclusion:
While not flashy, EVPs are incredibly functional, affordable, and reliable, delivering performance results beyond expectations by maintaining the integrity of audio signals and ensuring optimal sound quality through effective vibration isolation.
The purpose of vibration isolation for audio equipment is to control unwanted vibrations and resonances from causing adverse effects to both electrical audio signals (microphonics) and sound waves, both airborne and structureborne.
These effects can cause many kinds of audible distortions, which interfere with the potential performance of
the audio equipment, as well as the original artistic intent.
The Result in sound quality with EVP is improved
clarity, dynamics, timbre and soundstage because resonances and vibrations are mitigated and can no longer
compete, mask or interfere with the original signal.
The Result in sound transmission with EVP is about an
80% or more reduction in vibrations being transferred to the equipment, and/or from the equipment to
neighboring spaces via the interconnected structure, because the EVP de-couples those vibrations and
dissipates them as heat.
With EVPs in place, your walls, floor, ceiling, equipment and furnishings no longer vibrate and re-radiate sound energy.
Vibration isolation works whether the equipment itself is the source of unwanted vibrations, or is the recipient.
Vibration transfer is a two-way street.
A vibration isolator is a resilient support which decouples an object from forced vibration.
Natural frequency and damping are the properties which determine the transmissibility of the system. The natural frequency is a function of the stiffness of the isolation system in conjunction with the mass (load) being supported.
The purpose of tuned damping is to dissipate the unintended energy as quickly as possible.
Transmissibility is the ratio of the output vibration divided by the input vibration. It is the amount of vibration
passing through the system. The isolation efficiency of the EVP is conservatively >80% from approximately 5 – 14 Hz.
(depending EVP size, density and load) and up. This means that better than 80% of the vibratory force is not
transmitted to the support structure, or the equipment.
The EVP core is a precisely compressed high-density molded fibers matrix, which allows
controlled air movement through the fibers.
This action provides viscous damping, reducing physical motion, while widening the frequency bandwidth of attenuation. As sound energy moves fibers against fibers, the friction transforms sound energy to heat energy.
The matrix of the glass leaf springs is bonded at all fiber intersections with a low VOC water-resistant binder during the molding process under controlled heat and pressure.
The material is then stabilized by multiple precompression cycles to many times the maximum published load capacity for the specific density of the media
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The cold-rolled austenitic (non-magnetic) stainless steel plates on the top and bottom of the pad function to
evenly deflect the weight across the whole surface for even weight distribution.
They also allow cone or spikes to be used without damaging or compromising the performance of the pad core.
The constrained-layer damping compound used to bond the steel plates to the fiberglass core. This damping further improves the EVP absorption properties by lowering the Q-factor, which broadens the bandwidth, reduces ringing, etc. RoomDamp 2 is a viscoelastic paste that remains pliable and never hardens.
Unlike other elastomeric materials, EVPs are resistant to water, mold, sunlight, humidity, age and extreme
temperatures. EVP materials, manufacturing and assembly is U.S.A. Made.
They may not be sexy, but they are very functional,
affordable and reliable.​
Delivering performance results above and beyond expectations.
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Continuous Shot Comparison
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Note the EVP is demonstrated last, and is a fraction of the cost compared to these competitive products.
The music box tines in the video below are moving about +/- 0.1 mm. When coupled to the tabletop, the tabletop acts as a soundboard and amplifies the energy by about 27 dB SPL, yet it is only moving a few billionths of a meter.
The tine amplitude is about 100,000 times larger than the tabletop, yet the transfer of vibration to the larger tabletop surface area becomes a closer impedance match with the surrounding air and therefore produces more sound.
The EVP de-couples by converting the mechanical energy into heat. Note each "coupler" sounds (performs) different. The music box mechanism is similar in movement and frequency as a tweeter- small compared to the energy found in a woofer, yet "couplers" are very efficient in transferring even tiny magnitudes of high or low frequency energy.
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Acoustic Treatment Solutions
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Acoustic treatment can help regulate three aspects of sound that can otherwise pose a problem. These include reflection, reverberation and resonance.
1. Reflection
Reflection is a common problem in many rooms. When sound waves travel across a room, they will run into surfaces, such as walls, furniture or other objects. Certain types of surfaces will absorb sound waves. Others will cause sound waves to bounce off and continue traveling in a different direction.
This can especially cause a problem for school auditoriums, concert venues, churches and other spaces where you want to direct sound toward an audience or congregation. If the sound waves reflect off of other surfaces in their path, they can end up being deflected away from their target destination. Reflection can also lead to reverberation.
2. Reverberation
Reverberation is the problem that occurs when multiple sound waves bounce off of surfaces and congregate together. This is what causes some rooms to sound echoey. For instance, you’ve probably noticed that you hear more reverberation in a large, empty room than one full of people. That’s because when there are people in the room, sound waves are absorbed by encountering people’s clothing. When there is nothing but hard surfaces, however, sound waves will bounce around continuously.
Another issue with reverberation is that it causes a decay in sound quality. For example, if you want people to hear music or a speaker clearly, reverberation will interfere with that. Even in businesses like restaurants, though, reverberation can pose problems since it makes it difficult for diners to carry on a conversation over the loud, echoey sounds traveling throughout the room.
3. Resonance
All the objects and materials in a room vibrate at a natural frequency. For instance, a window in a room may vibrate at a rate of 200 Hz. If a sound wave with a frequency of 200 Hz encounters the window surface, it will cause the window to vibrate more powerfully, and the sound will be amplified. This is the concept of resonance.
Resonance can create acoustic problems for facilities. Resonance causes sounds in a room to be “boomy,” a term sound engineers use to describe loud, distorted sounds. It can also cause feedback in sound systems.
Acoustic Treatments
1. Absorption energy reduction
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2. Diffusion Energy maintenance
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3. Diffraction Energy steering
​Types of Acoustic Treatment
There are several types of solutions that acoustics experts can use to address the problems of reflection, reverberation and resonance. Many facilities need a combination of these solutions to fully address their acoustic issues.
1. Bass Traps
Low-frequency sound waves tend to be the most difficult to regulate because these waves are especially long and powerful. These sounds also collect in corners and make the bass sound in a room sound too loud. This is where bass traps come in. As the name suggests, these devices are designed to absorb or trap bass sounds at the corners of a room.
There are different types of bass traps you can install, depending on the acoustic issues you’re experiencing. Some traps are also effective at trapping mid and high frequencies. Bass traps are made from porous materials like rigid fiberglass and foam that effectively soak up sound waves in the corner of a room.
2. Acoustic Panels
Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, just like bass traps. However, acoustic panels are thinner than bass traps, which means they won’t be as effective at trapping lower frequencies. They can still make a significant improvement, however, in spaces where reverberation is an issue. Rather than allowing sound waves to reflect off and travel throughout a room, acoustic panels absorb the sound. This can help a space sound far less echoey.
Whereas bass traps appear a bit more conspicuous, acoustic panels can blend in with a room’s decor. You can place acoustic panels anywhere in a room, typically along the walls. Some acoustic panels can even look like artwork on a wall, so people never even notice your acoustic treatments, even though they’re in full view.
3. Ceiling Clouds
Most acoustic panels are designed to be installed on walls, but some panels are specifically designed for ceilings. These panels, known as ceiling clouds, are lightweight panels that hang horizontally from the ceiling. Ceiling clouds are especially helpful in buildings with high ceilings. High ceilings can be an attractive architectural feature, but unfortunately, high ceilings can also contribute to excessive sound reverberation.
Ceiling clouds come in various materials and styles. Some are made from foam, others are made from metal, and some ceiling clouds are wrapped with fabric. You may have noticed a creative, modern-looking ceiling in a building before and didn’t even realize the suspended panels were primarily installed to improve the room’s acoustics.
4. Diffuser Panels
Whereas bass traps, acoustic panels and ceiling clouds are designed to absorb sound, some acoustic treatments are instead designed to diffuse sound. Absorbing sound dampens the overall sound in the room. In some scenarios, you’ll want to keep sound waves from causing echo without fully absorbing the sound, so the room doesn’t end up sounding too quiet.
In these cases, diffuser panels are a helpful acoustic treatment. These panels are three-dimensional, with pieces that stick out to different degrees. The effect is that sound waves that hit the diffuser panel will scatter in random directions. So, while sound absorption treatments remove sound energy, which deadens sound, diffuser panels are an acoustic treatment that helps to keep a space sounding live. You can use diffuser panels as a complement to sound-absorbing treatments or in place of them.
5. Acoustic Foam
Acoustic foam is similar to acoustic panels. In fact, many acoustic panels are made from foam. However, while acoustic panels come in a form that is ready to hang on the wall and has aesthetic appeal, acoustic foam comes in more of a raw material form. Acoustic foam is more commonly used in recording studios than in businesses that need acoustic treatment.
Whereas acoustic panels tend to be smooth, acoustic foam has a distinct egg crate-like surface. This is partly why acoustic foam is used for more practical, heavy-duty acoustic treatment as opposed to lighter treatments for spaces like restaurants or stores. You can place acoustic foam on walls and ceilings to help trap sound.
6. Fiberglass Insulation
If you have an issue with sound bleeding from one room to the next in your facility, then you need to look for soundproofing solutions. Fiberglass insulation is a great option to consider. Adding insulation in walls can prevent sound from moving through them. Fiberglass insulation also works to absorb sound in the same way that bass traps, acoustic panels and ceiling clouds do, helping to prevent reverberation and other acoustic problems.
Thicker panels are better able to absorb the longer wavelengths of bass sound, but you can also install thinner panels of insulation with a gap between the insulation and the wall to help absorb lower frequencies. You can also install fiberglass insulation at a room’s corners to achieve the same effect as a bass trap.
7. Helmholtz Resonators
If you’re dealing with an ongoing resonance issue, a possible solution is a Helmholtz resonator. This device is named after the German physicist who invented it. It is essentially a hollow sphere with a small opening that protrudes from the top, similar to a bottle or vase. The important thing to note for acoustic treatment is that Helmholtz resonators are able to absorb sound of a similar frequency to its own natural frequency.
You can use resonators of different sizes and shapes to absorb different frequencies. This allows you to target specific frequencies that are superfluous in a space. By absorbing these specific frequencies, you can neutralize the issue. Helmholtz resonators are not a popular means of general acoustic treatment, but they can come in handy in certain situations.
​Main Types of Acoustic Treatments
Absorption Panels: These panels minimize sound reflections within a room, resulting in clearer and more balanced acoustics by absorbing sound waves and reducing unwanted echoes and reverberations1.
Bass Traps: Also known as low-frequency absorbers, bass traps are crucial for optimizing the acoustics of recording or listening spaces by absorbing low-frequency sound waves that can cause muddiness and imbalance1.
Diffusers: These scatter sound waves in different directions to reduce echoes and create a more even sound field, enhancing the room’s acoustic quality without deadening the sound1.
Acoustic Foam: Often used in studios, acoustic foam softens surface areas to increase sound absorption and minimize reverberations created by hard surfaces2.
Soundproofing: Although not strictly an acoustic treatment, soundproofing involves isolating a room to prevent sound from escaping or entering, which is different from controlling the sound within the space3.
Furniture and Household Items: Strategic placement of furniture and other household items can also help control the room’s acoustic nature, contributing to a balanced and symmetrical acoustic image4.
Each type of treatment plays a unique role in managing the acoustic properties of a space, helping to achieve the desired sound quality. Do you have a specific room or setup in mind that you’re looking to improve?
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