Townshend Seismic Podium for loudspeakers

Loudspeakers need to loose cabinet resonances according to general high-end knowledge. But what if someone would tell you that you should prevent floor movements to enter your loudspeakers?

Contents of this video

00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Start of program
01:23 - Seismic noise
04:53 - The springs
06:41 - setting up
08:30 - The adjustment
09:58 - How tested?
10:52 - Sound quality
11:42 - The wrap

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[wildcat]

I have been using the seismic isolators for some years and would not be without them. Instead of using podiums I have replaced my speaker spikes with individually purchased pods of the correct loading and they look great and cost a lot less. I don't know if you can still purchase Thownsend speaker bars but these go under the speakers with pods fitted at each corner so all you see is the pods which I think look pretty smart. I also use the Tonwshend rack for my equipment. The overall effect of the isolation is to increase soundstage significantly and tighten soft bass at the same time they take away the brittle sound of spikes, coming across more analogue /organic . An added benefit is the isolators are kind to wooden floors and they stop the speakers transmitting vibration into the floor as spikes do. Put your hand on a wooden floor in front of the speaker and you feel no vibration. RIP Max, he was a great character and a very clever guy.

[juggyd]

I purchased a pair of these + the seismic isolation bars for my sub. I was skeptical at first as they are bloody expensive but the difference is audible & measurable! Using room correction I measured a 2db decrease around 40hz and 3db around 120hz - problem frequencies/nodes in my room! Ultimately - a flatter frequency response, wider soundstage and hugely clearer bass + the added bonus of a vibration free house - My neighbors haven’t complained since!

[PP-nhlv]

"The aesthetic committee that vetoed the addition" Yes, I get your point, but I am jealous of your bombshell, beautiful reference one system, industrial look or not, I love your videos and your great sense of humor. Thank you 🔈

[mark.harding]

Been using the podiums for a couple of years now. No going back to spikes/etc. The sound is transformed for the better in the ways you describe. And it’s not subtle. The only downside is that sometimes the springs can vibrate when there is really deep bass in the music but it’s rare. These are now a fundamental building block for my hifi. Thanks, Max. RIP.

[gtviking]

Hello Hans, thank you for bringing this up. I have a pair of Townsend Podiums under my PMC Fact 12s on a wooden floor with concrete joist and underfloor heating. Feels very solid, but from the off the effect of the Podiums was somewhat astounding resting them on top with no spikes. The entire frequency band was positively affected resulting in tighter bass and everything above with higher perceived resolution, more detail resulting in better soundstage, imaging etc. It is a great product 👍🏼 Best Peter

[georgezacharia]

Finding the speaker's balance point with a rolling pin is brilliant. Thank you for the tip

[kodiak]

Nice to see you back in action Hans. Love your professional videos. Best health to you. Interesting topic worth more looking into for sure as I have wooden floors over a full basement below with long spans.

[petergrasic]

Great tutorial, helped me greatly. Thanks

[juanfeliu]

thank you Hans! another great review on a very important topic. it reminded me that Ben Lilly from ATC mentioned in a YouTube interview that Townshend's productos really do a proper job of isolating to a low enough frequency...

[dittonworks]

Great Video.
The financial committee blocked me from the podiums but passed the motion to purchase the iso Acustics Gaia, I’m
Very pleased with them.

[dougspitler]

Thanks, Hans. I know others who rave about the Townsend podiums. You have validated their opinions. Now I need to start saving up for the investment!

[igloo]

I just love your dry humour. My aesthetics committee is not easily fooled or persuaded!

[EliteRock]

I had not heard that Max had died, that is very sad news indeed. I've always thought his ideas and designs were hugely under-appreciated and underrated. I met him several times, the most memorable being back in 2000 when I picked up my Rock II (ETA >> correction; it's an orginal Elite Rock - I've made that mistake before and I just don't know why I keep doing it) from his home after a bearing refresh - he invited me in to spend a couple of hours listening to his super-tweetered system (over glass of nice Chilean Merlot), both his Rock Reference and re-worked Pioneer 747 SACD/DVD-A player providing the source. What I heard rocked my world, particularly with regard to extended in-room frequency response via the super-tweeters.

[connorduke]

Thanks I liked this video, as it expanded my mind by discussing something completely new: the impact of mini earthquakes. And now a little humour >> For me I found the biggest sound quality improvement came after I asked my local coal mine to dig the coal with gold plated rhodium shovels. This leads to more delicate audiophile shaped coal blocks, which when burned at the power station, translated into a tighter bass whilst adding a warmer mid-range from the microscopic gold residue left along the cut coal surfaces. The great thing is all my neighbours ae now amazed at the leap on their sound quality, even without knowing the reason. :D

[pwduce]

Hi Hans, glad you're looking into this highly technical area. I look forward to your wonderful insights further.
I am so sorry to hear about Max, I had the pleasure to spend an afternoon listening to his new suspension Hifi platform in 1998 after he serviced my Elite Rock TT (I still own). He called this the "one note demo". Ever since then I've always wanted to invest in his isolation technology. Money is finally less tight so thank you for validating my desire.
Once I've settled on the upgrade speakers I'll be purchasing the podiums.
All this begs the question about your intentions to investigate isolation of the other components, something I've explored with audible improvements using very cheap rubber feet. I can't wait.
Lastly, love your dry humour peppered insights why else did I buy the SMS 200 Ultra Neo...
Take care,
Paul

[mj]

Very informative, Hans, thank you. No doubt about it - that Aesthetics Committee has ultimate power, although I am glad to hear that this power has been used so infrequently in your case🙂😉👍

[brown-eyedman]

Thank you for this review sir. First heard about this product (or at least the theory it's based on) about 5 years ago. This is the first review of seen of these.

[colanitower]

My first system of 1979 was in a room close to heavy traffic. I placed the National Panasonic SB-39 speakers on thermal insulation tubing, two tubes horizontally under each speaker to absorb vibrations. A somewhat less sophisticated solution and less perfect, but at $1 per speaker it did its job.

[Stelios.Posantzis]

4:41 I don't see a link to a paper in the notes.
There's something to be said about this idea's success since they have introduced a version for pianos: surely they wouldn't have taken such a bold step if it weren't!

[gwatson]

Great video as always Hans. And thanks for the tips. Be well.