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| SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System really works |
Subwoofers are the foundation of any home theater system. For many two-channel enthusiasts, a subwoofer is also an essential part of their setup. While a subwoofer can add that deep, chest-pounding bass it can also cause a number of unwanted vibrations that can muddy the sound and also shake your house or floor in a bad or annoying way.
For years there have been many attempts to isolate subwoofers to prevent vibrations from resonating into the home surfaces. Products such as Auralex’s SubDude have usually been the products of choice. While these products have been pretty effective, they’ve had two drawbacks: first, they are ugly and look like they belong with stagehands setting up a concert gig and second, they either are too wide/big for the sub or are too small.
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| Close-up of the SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System |
Now, enter SVS. Traditionally known for their subwoofers, SVS has now started making and selling special isolation feet specifically designed for subwoofers. The feet are called the Soundpath Subwoofer Isolation System.
The benefits to such an approach are tremendous and address the two drawbacks previously mentioned—oh and I forgot to also mention that the SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System feet are actually slightly cheaper than the SubDude solution too!
I have a large sub in my setup — a 15″ 100lb subwoofer. I previously purchased and had to return the Auralex Subdude because the SubDude didn’t fit my sub! When I saw these isolation feet, I was cautiously optimistic and decided to purchase a set.
Did they work? Yes they did. And now they have a permanent home with my subwoofer.
The only “issue” I ran into was that the included screws did not properly fit my sub’s feet threads. To SVS’ credit, the kit comes with a variety of screw sizes and thread options. While one set was “almost” perfect, it just didn’t fit. Instead of fighting it, I took the spikes that came with my subwoofer and brought them to my local hardware store and matched a set of screws that most closely matched the spike threads. A short time later, I had my 100lb subwoofer up on a set of the SVS SoundPath feet and I haven’t looked back since.
If you’re looking for a solution to keep your sub from rattling the neighbors or other rooms in the house, then I highly recommend the SVS subwoofer feet. Now, I’m enjoying my sub’s full impact without dealing with the floor vibrations that I’d also get as a byproduct. Thumbs up to the SVS team for a great product.
Sam’s Club sells a Kitchen Aid anti-fatigue mat for about $30. https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Rugs/b?ie=UTF8&node=644050011
Wouldn’t this mat create a similar desired effect? It’s a large mat, so you could either cut it into small pieces to fit under your subs feet, but it to the foot print of your sub, or just but it in half and use each piece under each sub if you have multiples? I never thought about using anything to place under the subs feet in order to combat vibrations/rattles. I simply thought they came with the territory of subs.
I’ll be curiously awaiting input on this idea. Has anyone tried something similar, or with different material(‘s), or have educated input on the science of this material vs. what I have suggested or any other material? Would using the mat be beneficial for tower speakers with built in powered subs as well?
Walter, this solution by SVS is by far the slickest I’ve seen–believe me, I’ve looked over many years. I tried the rubber kitchen mat solution many years ago but wasn’t nearly as effective. That’s when I tried SubDude by Auralex. While SubDude is effective (it’s a platform and foam), it’s $10 more expensive than the SVS solution, it won’t take larger subs, and it’s still a platform. And if you have a subwoofer smaller than the platform, it sticks out. It just doesn’t look good. What I like best about the SVS solution is that the SoundPath isolation system takes the place of the actual feet. It gets the aesthetics right. Its elastomer feet really work.
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