Seismic Podium
'Float' throughout the audio waveband-
The Townshend Seismic Podium revolutionizes how you enjoy your music, eliminating disruptive vibrations to let your speakers perform at their best. By isolating your loudspeakers from unwanted resonances, the podium opens up a richer, deeper soundstage with unmatched clarity and detail. Transform your listening experience and hear your favourite tracks with newfound precision and depth.
How to Choose the perfect Townshend Seismic Podium for you
Sizing up
The weight of your speakers is crucial in determining the right load cells for perfect isolation within the audio waveband. Our carefully calibrated Loadcells ensure the ideal spring-mass load, allowing your speakers to “float” and achieve comprehensive isolation from external vibrations. Once this balance is achieved, you’ll select a platform that fits your speakers as shown in the diagram. If there is a slight overhang at the front or back, this may be acceptable. For speakers that don’t fit any standard platforms, we offer a bespoke service to create a custom stand that perfectly suits your setup.
What's inside
Air damped for precision vibration control
Our advanced design overcomes this by using a highly effective air-damping system. This system reacts instantly to vibrations and counteracts them, preventing the springs from bouncing uncontrollably. The result is precise, rapid isolation, ensuring that your speakers remain stable and your music remains pure and undisturbed.
It's whats inside that counts
Our loadcell engineering solution is designed to create the perfect environment for vibration-free sound, allowing you to experience music in its purest form. Inside each loadcell, our carefully calibrated system actively counters vibrations, ensuring your speakers remain perfectly isolated. This precision engineering delivers unmatched clarity and detail, so every note rings as clear as a bell, free from distortion or interference caused by unwanted resonances.
Why Ordinary Springs Fall Short and How Our Design Solves the Problem
Traditional springs, when used for isolation, tend to resonate and continue to bounce after being disturbed by vibrations. This ongoing motion can cause unwanted reverberation, muddying the sound and affecting the clarity of your music. Ordinary springs cannot stop this movement quickly, allowing vibrations to interfere with your audio.
Choose your Loadcell strength from the cart below
It only takes a couple minutes to realize that thte musical contribution these platforms are making is fundermental to the high -end experience.
Neil Gader
The Absolute Sound
2020
Analogue fellowship set up a Townshend Seismic Podium in record time!
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel
~ 25 minutes
Paul Rigby reviews the Townshend Podiums on You Tube
~ 8 minutes
Choose seismic isolation that fits your needs
What our customers says about us?
4.9
Rating of 185 reviews
And finally – HAPPY NEIGHBOURS!
Large cone excursions cause your speaker cabinet to act like a “tuning fork,” with the floor as the sounding board. This vibrational noise can often be felt during loud bass passages, particularly on suspended floors, and can be heard in adjacent rooms. This impure sound mixes with the desired sound, resulting in overpowering “fat” bass.
Break the link to the floor with Seismic Isolation
and eliminate this noise.
Where the Podiums call home
Sonus Faber
Estelon
B&W
Estelon
Audiovector R3
Sigma
The U.K Audio Show
Estelon
Enhanced Sound Quality
Enjoy a more natural sound with improved attack and decay of notes.
Relaxing Audio Experience
Say goodbye to the harsh, analytical sound of rigid couplers and embrace the smooth, relaxing tones of your favorite music.
Comprehensive Vibration Control
Isolate vibrations across all planes of axis for a truly pure listening experience.
EXPLORE INSIGHTS AND EXPERTISE
Townshend seismic professional builds mega sub support for Dolby atmos at the Odean Leister square london
Jason Kennedy
Monster MBL system with Townshend Seismic isolation curated by Hakkan , Istanbul Turkey
Jason Kennedy
Max Townshend argues that transmission line effects can occur at audio frequencies, even with cables shorter than a wavelength at 20kHz.
Max Townshend
We are a dedicated group of audiophiles wanting a space to share our passion among people of like mind, heart and passion.
Jason Kennedy
Monster MBL system with Townshend Seismic isolation curated by Hakkan , Istanbul Turkey
Jason Kennedy
Keith Jarrett the world's finest jazz pianist loves his Townshend Rock Turntable
Townshend
Seismic Podium set of 2 type/load capacity, four (4) Load Cell configuration
£1,400.00 – £3,200.00
The Townshend Seismic platforms and Podiums employ a mass-spring system to provide the perfect solution. Here’s how: Designed to decouple audio components from external mechanical vibrations above 3Hz, a frequency chosen to be well below the audio band but high enough to filter out virtually all unwanted vibrations such as footsteps, doors closing, lifts operating and global seismic effects. These Seismic Isolation products use a damped mass-spring system which is easy to adjust to suit the weights of a wide range of audio components and a revelation in sound quality. We work closely with clients to find the right load mass solution for you and continue until all unwanted vibrational resonances are eliminated from the audio chain. Giving clearer and greater musicality to your cherished music library.
Description
- Produce a wider and deeper sound stage.
- Enhance clarity throughout the whole frequency range.
- Improve bass definition.
- Eliminate structure-borne feedback between the speaker and vibration-sensitive equipment.
- Allow for neighbour-friendly high level listening. Eliminate irritating boom caused by coupling through the floor to adjacent rooms.
Designed as a range to accommodate any size and weight of speaker – standmount plus stand, floorstander or subwoofer – the Seismic Podium breaks the acoustic connection between the floor and the speaker, preventing the passage of deleterious vibrations both to and from the speaker cabinets. For a detailed explanation of why this is an absolute necessity before any speaker can perform to its true potential.
Floated on Seismic Isolation Podiums, speakers are freed from the ever-present seismic activity and room/floor interactions that seriously degrade sound quality. The result is simply magical, allowing listeners to hear into their favourite music in a way they were never able to previously. When under your speakers, they will give you immediate improvements in overall sound by preventing speaker generated vibration from entering the floor and sound from entering your speakers. By eliminating the resonance between the speaker-cabinet mass and the floor, the sound will be noticeably clearer, much more tuneful, controlled and natural. Bass boom is significantly reduced and there will be a far larger, much deeper and wider sound stage. The sound becomes natural and more enjoyable.
As many have already witnessed, the improvements are a revelation and a true pleasure – not least because severing the acoustic link between the speaker and the floor allows playback at more realistic volume levels without annoying the neighbours!
Available in five standard sizes (or to special order to accommodate true behemoths), each Podium platform utilizes Townshend’s innovative ‘Captive’ Load Cell technology to provide a stable four-square footprint that extends well beyond the perimeter of the speaker cabinet. This also allows easy fine levelling adjustment of each Load Cell via a rotatable top cap while, on the bottom, is an adjustable foot to compensate for out-of true floors. The tough black steel platform has a large area that accommodates any shape of medium to large speaker or sub-woofer, with or without spikes. The Seismic Podiums are suitable for wood, tile or carpeted floors. Total speaker height is increased by only 20mm (3/4”).
The Seismic Podium is the optimum solution for comprehensive speaker support on a grand scale. Whether as part of a professional installation or domestic one, the Seismic Podiums command ultimate support for your speakers and sub woofers, with no compromises. They will give you an unprecedented performance.
Awards
HIFI + ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR 2016
STEREO TIMES MOST WANTED COMPONENT 2020
THE ABSOLUTE SOUNDS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2020
HIFi + THE EDITORS CHOICE 2020
The Seismic Podiums add a mere 2cm to the height of a loudspeaker. This is important not just for obvious centre-of-gravity reasons, but because boundary proximity affects low frequency performance, so raising a speaker up too far will make for a leaner bass than originally intended.
To ensure you order the correct Loadcell rating for your speakers/equipment please look at the graph. Please contact us for any queries you may have.
Additional information
| Weight | 6.9 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 43 × 49 × 17 cm |
| Size | Size 1, Size 2, Size 3, Size 4, Size 5 |
| weight size | a(5.2-10.4)Kg, b(10.4-21.2)Kg, c(21.2-42.4)Kg, d(42.4-80)Kg, e(80-128)Kg, f |
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Ready to transform your audio setup?
Visit www.townshendisolation.com to explore our innovative solutions and bring the pure sound of music into your home.
Sales / Support / General Inquiry
- Townshend Audio
7 Bridge Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9EU, UK. - mail@townshendaudio.com
- +44 (0) 208 979 2155
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frequently asked questions
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
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