REVIEW: Vibrapod Isolators and Cones

[Welly Wu]

REVIEWER EQUIPMENT EXPERIENCE:
I owned both the Grado RS-1 and Sennheiser HD600 flagship headphones; I also owned the Etymotic Research ER-4P/S and I use the Ultimate Ears UE-10 PRO earphones. For headphone amplifiers, I owned the HeadRoom Cosmic (with Reference Module), but I use a Ray Samuels Emmeline HR-2. I owned both the DiMarzio High Resolution and M-PATH, but I use the Cardas Neutral Reference interconnecting cables. My power conditioner is a Balanced Power Technologies BP.Jr. II Ultra and I use the Cardas Golden Reference and PS Audio xStream Plus power cords. For sources, I owned a Panasonic SL-CT570, Apple iPod, NAD C541i and Denon DVD 2900. My current source is a Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi.

REVIEWER BIASES:
I prefer my sound akin to a mug of Starbucks Italian Roast coffee: warm, full-bodied, dark, and boldly rich with hints of sweetness.

MUSIC SELECTIONS:
Eagles Hotel California (HDCD)
Sade Lover’s Rock (HDCD)
The White Stripes Elephant
Linkin Park Meteora
Renee Fleming Bel Canto, By Request, Under the Stars
Andrea Bocelli Sogno, Sentimento, Cieli Di Toscana
Hans Zimmer Gladiator
Rachel Podger Antonio Vivaldi: La Stravaganza: 12 Violin Concertos
Anne-Sophie Mutter Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (DVD-Audio)
The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (DVD-Audio)
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will (DVD-Audio)
Sting Sacred Love (DVD-Audio)
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (DVD-Audio)
Roxy Music Avalon (Hybrid SACD)
Diana Krall The Girl in the Other Room (Hybrid SACD)
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Top Gun (Single Layer SACD)
Anne-Sophie Mutter Beethoven: Violin Concerto / Romances (Single Layer SACD)
Midori Debussy, Poulene, Saint-Saens (Single Layer SACD)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt Anton Bruckner: Symphony No.9 (Hybrid SACD)
Hilary Hahn Bach Concertos (Hybrid SACD)
Helene Grimaud Credo (Hybrid SACD)

VIBRAPOD ISOLATORS AND CONES: http://www.vibrapod.com

Product Description:
According to company's FAQ, Vibrapod Isolators and Cones reduce minuscule vibrations that degrade the performance of audio / video systems including compact disc / DVD players, amplifiers, and power conditioners, etc. The Isolators reduce such vibrations on both horizontal and vertical planes while the Cones work on a vertical plane exclusively.
Vibrapod Isolators come in five different models that can accommodate a specific range of weights. One should weigh their component and consult the FAQ to help select the appropriate Isolator. Each Isolator is made of vinyl and measures 9/16” tall and 2 7/16” in diameter. Isolators are not designed to work on carpets or rugs.
Vibrapod Cones are double truncated vinyl cones. Each cone measures one inch tall and 1 5/8” in diameter and comes with a 3/8” non-slip chrome stationary ball. Furthermore, each cone can support a maximum weight of ten pounds. Cones can be stacked atop Isolators or used by themselves.

Instructions:
First, owners should read the FAQ prior to usage. Next, place each Cone atop the protruding “lip” of each Isolator. Then, put the cones / isolators underneath each corner of the component until it is stabilized.

SO, DO THEY WORK?
Yes. I can hear subtle improvements in several key areas: a deeper black background, an airier sound stage, precise imaging, finer detail extraction, greater dynamics, and a tighter bottom end. For example, vocalists such as Renee Fleming and Andrea Bocelli take the stage with greater prominence. Bocelli's gentle yet powerful voice sounds purer and more emotionally engaging while Fleming's divine voice exhibits more tenderness and delectable sweetness. As another example, violin virtuosos Hilary Hahn and Rachel Podger play with greater detail and dynamic swing. Furthermore, I can tell that Podger uses her bow to dance upon the strings of her violin like a child playing double-dutch jump rope while Hahn invites her audience to savor the slow strokes of each up- or down-bow movement. On the White Stripes' Elephant, the deeper black background adds air and punch to kick drums while Jack White sounds more electrified as jams on his electric guitar. On Linkin Park's Meteora, individual band members shine more clearly yet the whole band still sounds like an angry mob of young men scarred by bad relationships. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album sounds more three dimensional and holographic due to the deep black sound stage and precise imaging. All of the listed albums showed subtle sonic improvements.

CONCLUSIONS:
I was skeptical, but the Vibrapod Isolators and Cones do work as advertised. I heard subtle sonic improvements to my reference system.

STRENGTHS:
Subtle sonic improvements
Usable for different components
Inexpensive

WEAKNESSES:
May stain certain surfaces such as wooden flooring