Review Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser – A few Euros for the perfect setup
Ultimately, the Liedtke-Metalldesign company offers nothing more than simple and straightforward foam plates in the form of so-called Vibration Boosers. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, it is even more impressive how effective this solution proves to be in the optimal decoupling of HiFi components.
A HiFi chain is, as the well-known saying goes, only as strong as its weakest link. However, it is quite exciting that the weakest link in the chain is often not even identified as such, because it is usually neither the electronics nor the loudspeaker systems used, nor any cables or even the power supply. In fact, it is almost too banal to think of exactly what is often the biggest problem in the search for the optimal sound of a hi-fi system, namely the optimal set-up.
In fact, it is not enough to simply place the various components of a HiFi chain, from the source device to the amplifier to the loudspeaker systems, in their place in the living room; you should at least give some thought to where you place them.
If you think that none of this concerns you anyway, because this is a topic for audiophiles who want to get the last bit out of their exclusive, expensive hi-fi systems, you are completely wrong. The question of optimal placement is one that affects every audio system, from simple Bluetooth speakers to smart wireless speakers, soundbar systems, micro and midi hi-fi systems, and even expansive hi-fi castles.
To put it in a nutshell, no other tuning measure delivers better results as quickly and easily as dealing even a little with the question of the optimal set-up, in any performance and price class.
And it is not a question of the price you are willing to pay. The amazing thing is that there are extremely affordable solutions that deliver outstanding results, and we would like to offer an example of this in the form of the new Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser.
Since 2004, the company Liedtke-Metalldesign has been dealing with the question of how to optimally set up HiFi components, especially loudspeaker systems, and has a very, very wide range of loudspeaker stands and corresponding accessories. Hi-fi racks and special systems for the optimal placement of record players are also part of the product range of the company founded by Dirk Lidtke, as are the corresponding accessories.
And it is precisely this range of accessories that has now been expanded to include the aforementioned Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser.
The German company claims that it offers a solution that dampens sound-damaging resonances in a particularly effective way, thinking first and foremost of “coasters” for loudspeaker systems, but also conceivable for use in various other applications, such as coasters for glass, granite or wooden plates for the placement of source devices and amplifiers.
The name for this solution is derived from the term “to boose”, which means “to get rid of”, whereby what one wants to get rid of here are, of course, resonances.
To put it in a nutshell, the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers are essentially nothing more than round plates cut out of foam, whereby the foam is of course special and very dense.
This is essential, as an even distribution of pressure must be guaranteed, and the plates must also be able to carry quite a bit of mass without becoming spongy and deforming, which would ultimately minimise or even cancel out the effectiveness of the resonance damping.
After all, the plates from Liedtke-Metalldesign are no larger than 40 mm in diameter and about 10 mm thick, yet they are capable of carrying a load of up to 40 kg as a set of four. 40 kg, that’s quite a lot, so we can say that in principle they are suitable for almost any speaker system of the more compact class, as well as for source devices of any kind and also amplifiers.
However, one thing must be made clear: it is up to each individual to decide for which components such solutions are used, but the best results are achieved with components that are particularly susceptible to resonance, i.e. record players and CD players, where resonance from the outside is to be feared and could distort the sound. With loudspeaker systems, on the other hand, it is more a question of ensuring that the speakers themselves do not transmit resonances to the floor, such as the furniture on which they are placed or even the floor itself, which would ultimately also distort the sound. In addition, energy would be lost, which should only be used to radiate sound through the diaphragms and not to excite the whole environment.
For our test, we placed the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser under a pair of KEF LS50 speakers on our desk. As you can imagine, this is a very “difficult” environment, because the KEF LS50 are speakers that can really get down to business, especially since they are driven by a fine Musical Fidelity M6i Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier. And as it happens, a conventional desk is of course not at all designed for speakers to be placed on it, and it should not be allowed to vibrate. Without appropriate measures, there is a lot of rumbling and clattering, and fine sound is far, far away. Up to now, a solution has been in use that has a very high price.
So, four pieces each under the left, four pieces under the right KEF LS50, fits exactly, because the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser are delivered as a set with eight pieces, and the test can begin…
Lo and behold, you may hardly believe it, these small, inconspicuous round parts do exactly what they are supposed to. The sound becomes more precise, more contoured and there is no more talk of the table resonating. At least, not if you do all this at a level that stays within limits. Of course, the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers can’t work magic.
Next test: in the living room, there has been a record player on a sideboard for years, which is rarely used. One of the reasons for this was that it lacked the right foundation. Only recently, by chance, I stumbled across fine natural slate plates in a shop for all kinds of furnishing bric-a-brac, which are actually designed as coasters, but fit just as precisely under said record player. The price was no more than 12 euros and a few cents, so you can’t complain.
The only problem is that the “delicate” felt stickers on the underside are of course not the last word, so the Liedtke-Metalldesign vibration boosers are just right.
Here, too, the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers do exactly what they are meant to do. A simple knock test on the sideboard proves this, no transmission to the drive, very impressive!
The really remarkable thing about the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Booser is that it is an extremely effective but downright simple solution. It’s “just” four foam plates, no more, no less. But what is important is that it works, and it works exceptionally well. And if you think you’ll have to pay a lot for it, you’re very much mistaken. You don’t have to pay more than € 25.99 for the set consisting of eight pieces.
Getting to the point
Liedtke-Metalldesign refers to the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers as high-tech absorber pucks, although the bottom line is that they are nothing more than round foam pucks. But what is decisive here is that it works, that these solutions fulfil their task, and that is exactly what the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers do with flying colours, as we found out in our test. The fact that you don’t have to invest more than € 25.99 for this is something we would like to emphasise, because it is clear that the question of optimal placement of audio components of many kinds is not a question of money, but merely one of the right “tools”. And with the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers, there are virtually optimal tools available, which thus receive a smooth recommendation.
Manufactorer: | Liedtke-Metalldesign |
Distribution: | Liedtke-Metalldesign |
Price: | € 25,99 |
The optimal placement of loudspeaker systems, record players or CD players, in short, of all HiFi components that react particularly critically to vibrations and resonances or for which this is an essential aspect for optimal functioning, is not a question of large investments. This is demonstrated, for example, by the Liedtke-Metalldesign Vibration Boosers, which are an extremely simple and at the same time very effective solution for the suppression of resonances and are offered for only a few euros.
Positiv
- Simple but extremely effective solution
- Can be used flexibly with a wide variety of components and loudspeakers
- Very durable
- Very attractive price
Negativ
- No disadvantage to be seen at this price
Conclusion
SOUND
HANDLING
PRICE/PERFORMANCE
Excellent
Liedtke-Metalldesign offers a simple and yet effective solution for the optimal decoupling of hi-fi solutions with the Vibration Booser.