• Isoblocks are a six layer rubber/cork laminate whose footprint and number of laminations has been tuned by ear to exactly those vertical, horizontal, and torsional resonant frequencies that provide the best sonic isolation for our air-dried, solid maple platforms when used under source components, amps, and other electronics. Using Isoblock under each corner of our platforms is even better than our brass footers on hard surfaces (i.e. uncarpeted floors, rack shelvestable tops, et al.) and saves money at only $36 per set of four. (Carpet-piercing Heavyfeet are essential for mounting any platform on a rug or carpet.) We do not recommend using Isoblocks under speakers or speaker stands, even on hard flooring.
• The default option is for a set of four Isoblock 1s with standard rubber/cork finish. Choose heavier capacity and Carbon Black finish options from the Weight Capacity & Finish drop-down menu.
• Isoblocks were designed as isolating footers for our air-dried maple platforms, one element of our Vibration Control System For Electronics. Since their introduction in the late 1998, Isoblocks have set the performance standard for isolation footers in the audio marketplace. And though, after we introduced them, they've been imitated by several companies (such as the unscrupulous and inferior-sounding Sound Quest Isol-Pad knock-off), Mapleshade Isoblocks remain the best-sounding, most cost-effective isolation footer available.
• Isoblocks can also be used for mounting anti-resonant platforms other than our maple ones. Head-to-head, they sound betterparticularly in lack of bass boom and clarity of midrange detailthan Vibrapods, Sorbothane, Sorbagel, Iso-bearings, Isol-Pads, Clearaudio Magix, Van Slyke Tri-Orbs, Seismic Sinks, Bright Star and other sandbox mounts, inner tube air suspensions, hockey pucks and squash balls.
• For the very best sonic performance, mount every component on our brass footers (not on Isoblocks) in order to optimally drain vibration out of the equipment down into our maple platform. Isoblocks are intented to be used under platforms, notto directly support electronics.
• In systems where optimal component mounting is either price or space prohibitive, Isoblocks can serve as an excellent, affordable problem-solver and performance upgrade. Where space constraints force you to stack equipment, Isoblocks are the best way to separate components. If you are forced to mount equipment on metal, glass, or stone shelving -- and simply do not have enough vertical clearance for brass footers and our platform -- then Isoblocks are an inexpensive means of mitigating the degrading effect of these seriously bad-sounding shelf materials.
