Tough Nut Isolation Cones

In September 2024, a colleague from the audio industry came by to test a series of different isolation feet. These isolation feet were from around the world and ranged in price from $400.00 USD up to $2,100 Euros. The results were quite fascinating. We tested the isolation feet at a series of frequencies on our Vibration Station 1.0 and at the end of the testing we asked if he would indulge us in adding our Tough Nut Isolation Cones to the test. He said “sure, why not!”

When the results came up on the computer screen, we were thrilled. Our colleague asked us to run the test again. The next series of tests came in and he said “why aren’t you selling these feet as accessories?”

On our second day of testing, we ran the tests with our Vibration Station 2.0. This unit was engineered and fabricated with the assistance of Solen in Montreal, and has a much broader testing range from 18 Hz – 20 Khz, which is perfect for sweeps through most of our listening range. The results backed-up our previous testing session, with the Tough Nut Isolation Cones performance at the top of the heap. We also tested our top-of-the-line GP3 Isolation Platform. We were looking for a comparison to illustrate that as well as our isolation feet performed, the contents of our GP3 does the rest of the heavy lifting when it comes to vibration management.

At 40 Hz our GP3 Isolation Platform was quieter than the closest foot that we tested by 12 dB, and 20.5 dB quieter at 550 Hz. The closest foot measurement just happened to be our own large Tough Nut Isolation Cones! And our large Isolation Cones were 40 dB quieter than the lowest end performer!

And so began our journey into the Tough Nut Isolation Cones.

Our Tough Nut Isolation Cones provide the high standard of performance in isolating various components from vibration, as they do for our Tough Nut GP Isolation Platforms and PIRS Isolation Racks.

We started by looking at a smaller size that would replace the standard feet for components such as Turntables, CD Players, Tube amps or even bookshelf speakers. The medium cones suit smaller speakers and platforms, and large size suits floor standing speakers and subwoofers.

Our Tough Nut Isolation Cones include rubber cones, because sound and vibration travels though rubber at 60 M/S vs steel which is well in excess of 1500 M/S. We also use a cone shaped foot because it absorbs less airborne vibration than a flat surface and dissipates energy much more effectively than a cylindrical form. We then thread on and bond a brushed stainless-steel barrel which adds compression to the cone’s rubber, increasing its ability to absorb vibration. Lastly, we include an additional EPDM washer to isolate the barrel from the bearing surface.

See to chart below for pricing, load capacities and current thread options. More options are coming soon as we continue to develop this line of accessories.