Isolation gel pads

[icehockeyboy]

I currently have good old BluTac underneath my speakers atop my stands, and was just wondering if those 'proper' Isolation Gel Pads offer any type of improvement?
One of the good features about the BluTac is that it almost glues the speakers to the stands meaning they are difficult to dislodge accidentally.
But anyway, your thoughts please.

 

[StingRay]

I currently have good old BluTac underneath my speakers atop my stands, and was just wondering if those 'proper' Isolation Gel Pads offer any type of improvement?
One of the good features about the BluTac is that it almost glues the speakers to the stands meaning they are difficult to dislodge accidentally.
But anyway, your thoughts please.

I tried some and I thought it made the sound worse, so I sent them back for a refund, went back to BlackTac, which is stronger than blutak and looks better. I would say it depends on your speakers and make sure you can get a refund if you try them.

 

[icehockeyboy]

Thanks!
I'll look out for some BlackTac, although the strength aspect isn't an issue, ditto the colour as it's totally hidden.

 

[hifinutt]

many folks use iso pucks . i have used under 10 or v11 lots of speakers now with great effect . it grips without ripping off the veneer as blu tac can do

 

[Tarzan]

many folks use iso pucks . i have used under 10 or v11 lots of speakers now with great effect . it grips without ripping off the veneer as blu tac can do

Use IsoAcoustics Mini Pucks under my ProAc Tablette 10 and there was a nice increase in sound quality, and as Phil says they do 'adhere' to the speaker and it's stand, though just not as strongly in my view.

 

[hearhere]

I currently have good old BluTac underneath my speakers atop my stands, and was just wondering if those 'proper' Isolation Gel Pads offer any type of improvement?
One of the good features about the BluTac is that it almost glues the speakers to the stands meaning they are difficult to dislodge accidentally.
But anyway, your thoughts please.

The "next up" from Blu-Tak is probably Sorbothane, in terms of ease of use and coat.

It comes in sheet form, mostly a few mm thick and ridicularly expersive per sq ft, but you only need a few small pieces for putting under speakers. In theory there are 4 or 5 grades that are spec's for different loadds per sq cm, but any retail Sorbothane is likely to be an improvement. It is very "sticky" though it easily peels away if you want to remove them - so just as secure as Blu-Tak.

Next up is the sort of thing already mentioned, but these may need fixing to the base of your speaker as only one surface is sticky. I've not used IsoAcoustic Pucks but their Gaia feet are very good under my floor-standing speakers, though moving them is difficult without rocking them first to place a tea towel or simiar under them so they can be easily slid to a new location - but that's only because they weigh 100 Kg each!

 

[uzzy]

Personally I would stick with the Blue tac (but it will discolour the bottom of the speaker where it attaches). I used it for some years when I had stand speakers .. Its damping quality is as good as sorbothane IMO, it has the advantage of making the mount secure.

 

[CnoEvil]

I use Valhalla Speaker Pads: http://valhalla-technology.dk/en/3-speaker-feet

 

[garn63]

I like sorbothane. It does a job ..cheaply. For larger spkrs the mounts with an indentation are good and give good grip. I use rubber & sorbothane under the spkr stands & cut 7mm sheet for under component feet. Jobs a goodun.

 

[bandit pilot]

Floorstanders. So much less faff. Thank me later

 

[uzzy]

Floorstanders. So much less faff. Thank me later

Although those with suspended wooden floors may disagree with you

 

[bandit pilot]

Although those with suspended wooden floors may disagree with you

I have suspended wooden floors

 

[savvypaul]

I've now used (various models of) Isoacoustics pucks between different speakers and stands. Each time I've been pleased with improvements in separation, focus and ease. They don't leave a mark on the speakers (blu tack does).

I'm trade - but no connection to Isoacoustics.

 

[rdale]

I've now used (various models of) Isoacoustics pucks between different speakers and stands. Each time I've been pleased with improvements in separation, focus and ease. They don't leave a mark on the speakers (blu tack does).

I'm trade - but no connection to Isoacoustics.

I use Atacama gel pads on the top of speaker stands and IsoAcoustics Gaias for feet under the stands in two of my systems and I think it is a good combination.

 

[Nifkin]

Audio Serenity gel isolation pads get my vote. You can get them at that big online place and others.

 

[hearhere]

Although those with suspended wooden floors may disagree with you

Illogical argument! If suspended floors are "unsuitable" for floorstanders, there are equally unsuitable for stand mounts on a stand. Get the interface between the floor and the speaker sorted (maybe by using a stone slab) and then go for a suitable speaker type - almost invariably a floorstander will be the better choice sound-wise, and they always look better.

 

[Bokke]

i use blutac and atacama gel pads and they both work similar for me

 

[ziggy]

Blue Tac works well for me securing the speakers to heavy metal stands. The second system is more problematic as the speakers are on a cupboard. I found that Iso Pucks brought about a significant improvement.

 

[antonio66]

If you don't want to go to the expense of Iso pucks these look ok https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180847489530?_trkparms=amclksrc=I

 

[hearhere]

If you don't want to go to the expense of Iso pucks these look ok https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180847489530?_trkparms=amclksrc=I

It's unfortunate that there's no mention of what those supports are made from. Could be a simple rubber compound (in which case they are probably over-priced) , or neoprene (better), or even Sorbothane though I doubt that or they'd have proudly mentioned it. I'd go for genuine Sorbothane and cut out the size and shape that best suits the speakers and stand.

Sorbothane offer performance tables for their various products that are identified by their Shore Factor - most retal Sorbothane is 50 Shore.

There are facts and figures here - https://www.sorbothane.com/technical-data-sheet.aspx - take a look at the Performance Curves for comparision with rubber and neoprene in controlling vibration. Sorbothane is so superior to others materials, the high cost (though still not much for what the OP needs) is wholly justified.