How to Reduce Subwoofer Room Rattle, Vibrations and Bass Bleed

Lead SVS Sound Expert, Ed Mullen, offers tips on how to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate, subwoofer room rattle, wall/floor vibrations, and bass bleed to the rest of the house (or the neighbors).

The video covers DSP options such as using room gain controls and high pass filters as well as mechanical options that decouple subwoofers from the floor, resulting in less room resonance and the ability to play subwoofers at higher volumes without vibrational energy shaking the floors and walls.

One option for decoupling subwoofers, turntables, amplifiers and other audio gear is the SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System.

The SOundPath Subwoofer Isolation System consists of screw-in elastomer feet that decouple subwoofers from the floor resulting in less buzz and rattle in the room while significantly reducing floor vibrations.

The system is an affordable and discreet alternative to traditional platforms and risers designed to improve sound quality while reducing pesky floor vibrations which can cause sonic rifts between sub owners and their neighbors or roommates. The Isolation System comes in packages of four (standard) or six elastomer feet (larger subwoofers), with three popular thread sizes to accommodate virtually any subwoofer, SVS brand or otherwise.

Decoupling a subwoofer from its surroundings has a number of positive effects:
-Eliminate shaking windows, rattling light fixtures and knick-knacks falling off the shelves
-Cleaner, tighter bass without the distractions of sonic artifacts
-Play louder without disturbing roommates and neighbors
-More discrete option than bulky platforms and risers
-Reduce floor and wall vibrations from the floors

SVS extensively researched dynamic output and sound quality using accelerometer and acoustic measurements to develop the SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System, engineering it to significantly reduce floor noise by absorbing the vibrations that normally get transferred into floor.

The optimized durometer elastomer feet that make up the system feature a durable anodized steel outer shell and steel machine screws with thread sizes of ¼-20, M6 or M8, to fit almost any brand of subwoofer and installs easily in 5 minutes.

[orlandomiranda]

I have wooden floors and live in an apartment building. I installed the Soundpath isolation feet and my floors do not vibrate anymore. My neighbors and I are happy :)

[imagecartel]

For how much we are already paying for the subs why don’t the isolation pads come with the subwoofer along with the tiny ones?

[tkcdac]

Story time: I pushed my heavy PB-16 across the carpet. The isolation rubber detached from the coupling (It fits back on, not a big deal). I saw quickly that I need a moving men carpet slide under it. Moved the PB-16 a few feet into its new home. KEPT the carpet slide underneath the rubber foot. Even better results. The smooth hard plastic on the carpet, and the foam top, under the rubber foot is quite amazing, even accidentally so. For carpet applications, this is a new level of amazing.

[soundisfun]

Very pleased with the effectiveness of these feet. When I bought my first SB2000 I also bought SVS feet for it. No issues. When I added a second SB2000 I held off getting the feet to save a few bucks. My subs sit on carpet on a second floor. I just added SVS feet to the second sub. What a noticeable improvement to my bass! (And, I was very pleased with these dual subs before). Now my bass is really nicely balanced. It sounds bigger and tighter. I was apparently getting some floor stuff in my overall sound. These SVS isolation feet are well worth it!

[cigarobsession]

I do like these feet and have used them on my last several subs. Huge kudos for going in to detail about what floors these do and don’t work with. Even though they don’t effect my sound, they do look really nice and make it super easy to move when needed.

[JG-nxjg]

I put my rel sub on some material used to reduce vibrations created by washing machines. Worked well. It's like the matting they use in children's playparks

[adamball]

I live in an concrete apartment with hardwood floors. My dishes were rattling even with low to moderate subwoofer volume on my crappy 100w RMS 10" sub. After installing the isolation feet no rattles whatsoever. I'm sure my neighbors appreciated it too.

[johnc]

“...a neighbor who doesn’t enjoy bass late at night as much as you do..” 🤣

[ourlittlecakery]

I purchased 2 Soundpath Isolation Systems for my dual PB16 Ultras and absolutely LOVE everything about them.

[ayokay]

1) Spikes
2) Sound transducers...ie...bass shakers + turn down the volume
3) Cut up some sorbothane squares
4) Lots of other sound-deadening options if you're creative
5) These should come free with their subwoofer purchase

[BOSS-UAQ]

I do like these feet and i bought them for my Klipsch subs and it works excellent & it's stopped vibrating the floor windows and door & the sube sound more cleaner.

[Iron-Soul]

I just installed a set on my really old Advent 15" powered down firing subwoofer (modded). I could of went the hockey puck route like some people, but the SVS Subwoofer Isolation System looks much nicer, and give my subwoofer a cleaner look. Now my old neighbor stopped knocking on my door asking me did I felt an earthquake. That means now I can push my sub just a little more... Just a little. LOL!

[normanham]

I purchased the SVS SoundPath Isolation System w/my HT subwoofer b/c I lived in a second-floor apartment. Got them for better sound quality and out of respect & consideration of disturbing neighbors. No regrets. It’s working fine, and I wouldn’t run a sub w/o them now. Consider it a part of sub. It’s also a reasonable price, not ridiculous. I use floor isolation pads for two smaller down-firing subs in a stereo rig in other room. In comparison, I like the SoundPath Isolation Feet better.

[numberpappy]

I personally love being able to feel the bass in our house as we have wood floors foundation. I of course had to de-rattle some pictures, doors etc... but there is nothing better than actually feeling the bass in our seats and feet. You get a genuine feeling of being there. The house we had prior had a concrete foundation and you just didnt get the same feeling. I do find it odd though that some people don't want it. I get not wanting rattles but dialing down the "boom" just doesnt appeal to me. I wonder if the people who dont like it have ever considered just getting a smaller sub?

[Another_Random_Dave]

I’m glad my carpet has an auto decouple mode.

[Edwardi]

gotta say the sound path isolation system was the best $100 I ever spend, I live in a town house and have duel 12" Klipsch THX Ultra2 subs, and my neighbors use to pound on my walls when ever i'd watch a movie or play a game, they stopped doing that as soon as I put these feet on, Don't get me wrong I can't crank my system to reference levels or anything, but at least I can have my subs turned on now and actually use them at reasonable levels.

[siento_diegopiedra]

This is the only video that I found about this on youtube, I speak Spanish and I'll repeat the video until I understand it

[nickreecy]

I've used these on my sub and floorstanders for about a year. Really good value if the need is there.

[kingofgamesPSN]

I ordered the isolation system with my pb2000 last year from the outlet on your site. I haven't tried it without those and don't plan to, lol. I found a sweet spot for the apartment I'm in using Put On by Young Jeezy. It's more of a middle ground spot. You hear and feel the low intro tone. Which I what I wanted. If I rearrange everything I'll lose everything above 50hz. I'm content with the middle ground. Every frequency is satisfactory. Can't even think of upgrading yet because I haven't had a chance to open this baby up due to living circumstances.

[rovd]

Nice review thank you. My sb3000 is positioned on a stool because positioning it on the wooden floor means all the sound would go underneath the bed. My living space is too small and I'm almost in trouble with neighbours due to the sub energy. What I would like you to kindly tell me is: Would the isolation feet work well why sub is on the stool or not?