Seismic Platform

Townshend Audio’s mechanical low pass filter exemplifies true decoupling, offering a level of vibration isolation that far surpasses conventional attenuation methods. By effectively isolating components from vibrations down to below 3 Hz, Townshend ensures that high-fidelity audio systems perform at their best, free from the distortions caused by external vibrations.

• Conventional Attenuation: Devices that merely attenuate at higher frequencies, typically at around 14Hz are limited in their ability to control low-frequency vibrations, which can still interfere with the performance of sensitive equipment.

When we float the speakers in the audio band on dampened low pass filters we free the music from the constraints of a speaker and the room. It’s magical

Yes, Seismic Isolation technology can be used with virtually any audio system. Townshend Seismic Isolation products are designed to be versatile and compatible with a wide range of audio equipment, including turntables, speakers, amplifiers, and other components. By minimizing unwanted vibrations, our technology enhances the performance of your existing setup, delivering a clearer, more immersive sound experience. Whether you have a high-end audiophile system or a more modest setup, you can benefit from the improved sound quality that Seismic Isolation provides.

Ideally, you would like to enjoy your music at its natural volume level—as if you were listening to a live performance—without being irritated by vibrations caused by other building equipment or annoying the neighbours!

 Conventional so-called rigid supports (spikes or cones) aim to hold the speaker cabinet ‘still’ at audio frequencies. However, there will be a resonance set up by the mass of the cabinet reacting with the unavoidable springiness of the floor, even concrete floors. This can cause vibration of the whole building structure in the audio band, which can be very audible to your neighbours. 

Rigid coupling also transmits building-borne vibration back into the speaker cabinet and thence to the speaker driver baskets where it is superimposed onto your own music and also into other components in your audio system.

 The solution is to isolate your speakers from the building structure using a low-pass filter, in other words to let them ‘float’ throughout the audio waveband. This can be achieved by using Townshend Seismic Load Cells.

They work by coupling the mass of the speaker cabinet to the building structure, usually the floor, via a spring. At very low frequencies, the supported mass (speaker cabinet) follows the (slow) movement of the floor with a transmissibility of 1, just as with the rigid coupling. As the frequency of movement of the speaker cabinet (caused by reaction to the movement of the speech coil as it plays music) rises, a point of resonance is reached where it oscillates a large amount for a small input, 3.5Hz in the example. This large resonant oscillation can be tamed by damping. As the frequency rises further, the movement of the speaker cabinet reduces, ultimately at a rate of 12dB per octave,

 For audio systems, this reduction in coupling between the speaker cabinet and the building structure should start at about 5Hz. This resonant frequency of oscillation depends on the mass and spring rate, but it can be shown to be 3.5Hz if the compression of the spring when loaded is about 30mm. In this way, a spring can be selected for any speaker cabinet to give a resonant frequency of 3.5Hz.

 Since Seismic Load Cells are bi-directional they also reduce the effects of building structure vibration from entering your speakers. Furthermore, they act equally in all three planes, thus counteracting all aspects of building structure vibration.  

 For large displacements and without any damping, the speaker cabinet would oscillate for quite a long period, as is common with undamped sprung turntables. In the Seismic Load Cell this oscillation is rapidly damped by the turbulence of the air passing through the hole in the bellows/small-hole resistive damping arrangement, 

When at rest there is no resistance, and full isolation performance is realized.  

 As a listener, you experience the Townshend Floating Effect – the sound improves dramatically and becomes independent of the speakers, providing wider stage width and greater depth, together with tighter and more realistic bass, thuddy boom now eliminated.

You will be able to enjoy your music at its natural volume level – as if you were listening to a live performance – without annoying the neighbours!

Rigid devices such as cones and spikes do not isolate, they couple. Springs made of rubber compounds, such as Sorbothane, are partially successful, but they don’t act as springs at frequencies below about 50Hz. Much of the musical energy which can stimulate vibration of the building structure is contained at lower frequencies, at which these compound springs act effectively as couplings with a transmissibility of 1, as shown by the green line on the transmissibility graph. The effectiveness of Sorbothane speaker mounts, shown as the green dotted area on the graph, is thus severely limited. Magnetic repulsion ‘spring’ mounts are only partly successful because they cannot operate in all three planes without some form of mechanical restraint (Earnshaw’s theorem), which detracts from their effectiveness. Unlike these and all spikes and cones, Townshend Seismic Load Cells act equally in all three planes

Seismic isolation prevents vibrations from the environment—such as footfalls, traffic, or even low-frequency earth movements—from entering your sensitive hi-fi equipment. By isolating your audio components, you reduce unwanted interference, improving sound clarity, imaging, and overall performance.

Townshend Seismic Isolation products use a patented technology that decouples your hi-fi components from vibrations as low as 3Hz. They employ precision-engineered dampers and springs to absorb both airborne and structural vibrations, ensuring that your equipment remains stable and unaffected by external disturbances.

Townshend Seismic Isolation blocks vibrations from a wide range of sources, including: – Low-frequency ground vibrations (like seismic activity or heavy traffic) – Structural vibrations (from footsteps, building movement) – Airborne vibrations (such as soundwaves from speakers)

Virtually all hi-fi equipment can benefit from seismic isolation, including: – Turntables (especially sensitive to vibrations) – CD players and DACs – Tube amplifiers – Loudspeakers – Pre-amplifiers and phono stages – Any other sensitive audio gear

Yes, seismic isolation can dramatically improve sound quality. By reducing external vibrations, it helps improve bass definition, tighten imaging, and enhance detail retrieval. This leads to a cleaner, more accurate soundstage with better dynamics and reduced noise or distortion.

If your listening room is prone to vibrations (e.g., due to traffic, nearby trains, or foot traffic), or if your equipment is located on a less-than-solid surface (like a wooden floor), seismic isolation can make a noticeable difference. Even in more stable environments, the precision of seismic isolation may enhance overall sound quality.

Yes, Townshend Seismic Isolation can often be integrated into your existing setup. For example, Seismic Pods can be placed under individual components, or Seismic Bars can be added to an existing rack to provide vibration isolation for the entire structure.

Townshend Seismic Isolation products are designed to accommodate a wide range of weights. Each product comes in various load ratings to suit different components, from lightweight DACs and phono stages to large, heavy amplifiers and loudspeakers. Check the specifications of each product to match it with your component’s weight.

Installation is generally straightforward. Most products are designed to be placed directly under your equipment, and no special tools or modifications are needed. For instance, Seismic Pods or Platforms can simply be positioned beneath your components, while Podiums and Bars are placed under speakers or racks.

Yes, Seismic Isolation is effective for both stereo and home theater setups. It can isolate components like AV receivers, subwoofers, and even large speakers, ensuring that all audio sources benefit from vibration-free performance.

No, the products are designed to be maintenance-free. Once installed, they continue to provide reliable seismic isolation without the need for adjustments or upkeep.

Traditional isolation feet or pads only provide limited vibration control, often targeting higher frequencies. Townshend Seismic Isolation is uniquely engineered to address a broader range of vibrations, including low-frequency disturbances (down to 3Hz), which many conventional solutions cannot handle effectively.

Choosing the right product depends on the type and weight of your equipment. For individual components, Seismic Pods or Platforms are ideal. For speakers, Seismic Podiums offer the best performance. Townshend’s website or dealers can help you select the right product based on your equipment’s weight and configuration.

Townshend Seismic Isolation products are built with durability in mind and made from high-quality materials. They are designed to last many years without degradation in performance, providing long-term vibration isolation for your hi-fi system.

Seismic Isolation can actually enhance speaker placement by stabilizing the speakers and preventing vibrations from interacting with the room or floor. It helps preserve the clarity of the soundstage, allowing for more precise imaging and better overall room acoustics.

While regular speaker stands aim to elevate the speakers to the correct height, Seismic Podiums not only position the speaker but also isolate it from vibrations in the floor. This added layer of isolation dramatically improves bass clarity and overall performance, which is not possible with standard stands.

 Seismic Pods are individual isolators that can be placed under the feet of your components or speakers, while Seismic Platforms are flat platforms that incorporate Seismic Pods into a broader surface. The choice depends on your equipment and setup preferences.

Yes, turntables are especially sensitive to vibrations. Seismic Isolation can dramatically reduce unwanted resonance and feedback, ensuring that your turntable plays with greater clarity, precision, and noise-free operation.

 Townshend Seismic Isolation products are available through authorized dealers, selected high-end audio stores, and directly from Townshend Audio’s website