SL2 Speaker Isolation - Worth it?

Posted by: ekfc63 on 11 October 2017

I currently have a pair of SL2 (sitting on a concrete floor) and have been wondering whether additional isolation products such as Townshend's Seismic Podium would be of benefit.  SL2s already have a form of built in isolation in the form of a leaf spring in the base.  Have any SL2 owners gone down this route and can share their experience?

Posted on: 11 October 2017 by hungryhalibut

Is there something about their performance that you want to address? If not, why fiddle? The spring mechanism is designed to work with the speaker firmly planted on the floor, and adding anything underneath is very likely to conflict with it. 

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by ekfc63

On the contrary.  I'm very happy with the SL2s.  Its just in my nature to look for improvements.

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by Geko

Probably going to be a bit of a 'trial by jury' to see if they work - there's always a risk that they won't but a friend of mine has purchased the Townshend Seismic bars for his Fact 8's and they seem to work very well.

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by Richard Dane

The SL2 s were very carefully designed with a solid floor in mind - and the rigid front/sprung rear design could be compromised by any additional compliance.  I guess it may be worth experimenting but don't spend any money until you are totally convinced it's worthwhile.

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by ekfc63
Richard Dane posted:

The SL2 s were very carefully designed with a solid floor in mind - and the rigid front/sprung rear design could be compromised by any additional compliance.  I guess it may be worth experimenting but don't spend any money until you are totally convinced it's worthwhile.

That was my thought on this too.  My local dealer can lend some isolation to try, but I may not bother since the SL2s are somewhat laborious to set up once moved.  I saw the video using a seismograph app on Townshend's website.  I think I'll try that with the SL2s first.  It'll give me a good idea about the SL2's isolation performance.

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by hungryhalibut

I wouldn’t bother. Just have a glass of wine and listen to some music. SL2s will look really silly sat on an isolation platform. 

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by winkyincanada
Hungryhalibut posted:

I wouldn’t bother. Just have a glass of wine and listen to some music. SL2s will look really silly sat on an isolation platform. 

The use of the word "sat" in that way always makes me laugh!

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by Polarbear

I would give it a go as I would like to know what the outcome was. However as Richard says, make sure you try before you buy.

Posted on: 12 October 2017 by Christopher_M
winkyincanada posted:
Hungryhalibut posted:

I wouldn’t bother. Just have a glass of wine and listen to some music. SL2s will look really silly sat on an isolation platform. 

The use of the word "sat" in that way always makes me laugh!

Football manager speak!

Posted on: 13 October 2017 by GerryMcg

I use the Townsend seismic bars under my Ovator 600s. WhenI installed them they transformed the sound in my room, mainly (but not exclusively) by removing bass bloom which had been present with previous speakers including the SL2’s. I would give them a try - Townsend offer a money back guarantee which persuaded me to try them.

 

Ihave subsequently placed their Pods under my turntable, again providing a significant improvement to the sound quality.