Auralex SubDudeâ„¢ Subwoofer Flotation Device Worth it?

[Kevin R]

I am going to be putting an MFW15 on the carpet. Are these things worth it? I've used hockey pucks with good success but it's kind of ghetto fab..

That said, those that have them would you recommend them or no?

[padd54]

I use one of my old hemorrhoids donuts.

[NekoAudio]

They can be worth it. Especially stacked.

• Decouples the subwoofer from the floor. This makes it so your subwoofer enclosure isn't making the floor vibrate through physical contact as much. This is a good thing because the sound becomes a little clearer. As an example, try sticking your center channel onto a cheap wooden shelf versus a block of granite.
• Raises the subwoofer drivers a little higher off the floor. Granted, this isn't a big difference with the subdude, but it might help a little. It's the same idea as moving your sub out of the corner, only vertically instead of horizontally.
• Also a little bit here, but it acts as a sound absorber to somewhat prevent additional vertical reflections.

The last two points are the same as working on positioning and absorption, only vertically instead of horizontally. Thus, the possible benefits of stacking. I think it may have been Secrets that did some measurements illustrating the benefits of sticking a giant sound absorbing structure under a subwoofer. Unfortunately, the amount of improvement with respect to the last two points is likely to be negligible with a single subdude.

[mojave]

I purchased two for my dual MFW-15's. I have carpet over a wood subfloor and they eliminated a lot of resonance I was getting from the walls. This is especially noticeable as I turn up the volume. Without the resonance, the bass is more defined and clearer. I definitely like the improvement.

[Kevin R]

Thanks for the responses all...

Let me ask you all this.. I have a concrete slab under my carpet so I'm wondering how much resonance I would get. Most of you have either a basement or rooms below where you have the sub?

[NekoAudio]

I _think_, but not sure, that concrete acts differently in that it transmits kinetic energy rather than reflecting it or absorbing it (i.e. vibrations). In other words, if you have two metal balls separated by a concrete slab and you hit one of them the other will shoot off. Like those four metal balls toy thing.

This is the possible situation with speaker enclosures imparting or receiving kinetic energy to/from concrete? Someone more knowledgeable on concrete should comment.

But, in terms of the enclosure touching something, concrete should be much better than something that can vibrate. That's one reason I put my center channel on a granite slab.

[tooskinny]

I bought a Gramma for my ED A2-250 that was sitting half on carpet half of hardwood flooring. To me it seemed to tighten up the bass and stop the rattling on the floor. Now I feel the bass more than hear it in the room. I do have a MFW sitting on carpet with a cement floor below the carpet. I haven't bought a pad for that one yet.

[Fancypants]

I would highly recommend it, I have one, and love it.

I would however recommend the Gramma Pad, because the Sub-Dude IMO is too small fo the MFW.

[Kevin R]

Well, I finally got around to buying one of these. Not sure how much it'll make a difference on the carpeted cement floor but we'll see. If it doesn't make that much of a difference expect to see it in the classifieds. :)

[Kevin R]

oh and I ordered the Gramma...

[Kevin R]

After about a day of some listening to both music and HT. It's made a pretty big difference. My fireplace was getting shook like hell among other things in my house and it doesn't seem to do that anymore, it also seems to make the bass a bit more tighter. I've also moved it so it fires into a corner instead of right at me and that placement has made quite a big difference. I am going to head to the Rat Shack for an SPL meter and see where the best placement is. Thanks all for the advice!

[fanuminski]

I checked out pricing (on Ebay) for both the subdude
and gramma and found a huge difference in asking price.
Pretty comical actually.
IMO, both are overpriced for what you get. My question
is, what have DIY's used to build your own to decouple
your sub?
I have a carpeted floor over concrete where
my MFW-15 lies and have it just sitting on the carpet.
Oh, I believe I left the little feet on - should those be removed
if I put something underneath it?
-M
PS> I also have it facing the wall in a corner location

[Kevin R]

I got mine on Amazon for $40 and 3 bucks overnight shipping on it. I personally would rather spend a lil more to get it here quicker. Don't remember the last time I used eBay just for the simple fact I can get my items shipped so quick from Amazon. :)

[Thermobaric]

I have the Subdude HD and it has helped me a decent bit. I have hardwoods on a slab (concrete). For my STF-2 and my room, it is noticeable, especially with those deeper/harder hitting scenes of a movie. I agree with the other posters about it being more value for those with raised floors vs slab.

[fanuminski]

I got mine on Amazon for $40 and 3 bucks overnight shipping on it. I personally would rather spend a lil more to get it here quicker. Don't remember the last time I used eBay just for the simple fact I can get my items shipped so quick from Amazon. :)

good point! I had not gotten that far yet (checking out Amazon) -lol
did you leave your feet on or off? And/or did the Gramma fit
inbetween the feet if left on?
-M