Herbie's Audio Lab - Fat Dots
Posted by: NewNaim16 on 30 July 2016
As mentioned in the Possibly the Cheapest Ever Upgrade(s)? discussion, I ordered and have now installed Herbie's Audio Lab's Fat Dots to replace the Blu Tack previously used between our ATC SCM19 speakers and Music Tools Entasis stands. I could have fitted spikes but this isolating material was attractive to us because it’s only 6mm thick so is hardly visible.
The result is clearly a more open and entertaining presentation. Vocals (especially females) sound as though they've been positioned further forward, high frequency percussion is crisper and there’s more bass too.
Per Audio Lab's suggestion, I used five Square Fat Dots per speaker – three along the heavier side at the front and two at the back. Their view was that "at 40 pounds each, the speakers likely generate a lot of vibrational acoustic energy with substantial structure to tame, so a fifth Dot is likely to be additionally beneficial." The fifth Dot could alternatively have been placed somewhat toward the middle center of gravity.
Accurately maintaining the position of Dots (especially square) while holding and lowering into place such relatively heavy speakers is not easy, so round Big Fat Dots and/or the sticky version may be easier to handle. I may try three Fat Dots – two at the front and one at the rear although I’m a tad concerned about the speakers being accidentally knocked off the stand so will have to access the stability with three dots.
There may be other solutions but we’re very pleased with this new loudspeaker/stand decoupling and for us Herbie's Audio Lab's Fat Dots are keepers. This has been another lesson in how effective relatively low cost items such as isolating speakers can be.
@Ron Toolsie: I seem to recall dental floss being the recommended approach to removal of unwanted manufacturers badges on motorcycles and very effective too 
@Iconoclast: Thanks for the heads-up on the effect of the pressure-sensitive adhesive version. As I struggled to get them stay accurately aligned while fitting the 40lb speaker, I regretted not buying the sticky version but maybe I made the right choice after all. If ever I remove the speakers, I'll use some double sided sticky tape on the stand surface only.