STAVE Audio rack design
Audio equipment varies greatly in size and weight. The most difficult challenge we had to overcome was the design of a system that enhanced the performance of the broadest range of components, from small 5kg items through to high-end, 70kg power amplifiers.
Our design facilitation approach was to combine physical testing with computer simulation and use several conventional/generic pieces of furniture to produce comparative results which, in turn provided numerous target benchmarks.
Initially, we focused on replicating structural and airborne vibrations. This was successfully achieved with our unique shaker table design, coupled with vibration meters which provide accelerometric analysis. What then followed was many hours of listening to speaker created airborne vibrations.
Computer simulation and Computer Aided Design (CAD) were vital part elements of our design approach. We used FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and advanced Motion Analysis software to measure the kinematic and dynamic performance of the rack assemblies when subjected to vibration frequency throughout the audible range. This allowed us to experiment with different materials, geometry and a broad range of loadings to achieve optimum vibration reduction and stability.
FEA and Motion Analysis, simulation images
Following an extensive, 3-year product development and acoustic test programme we believe that we have successfully achieved optimum from an audio stand design that achieves up to 50% reduction in structure borne vibrations when compared with typical furniture supports, and a reduction of up to 91% in vibrations created by a floor mounted source.
We are convinced by successful testing that non-ferrous metals along with natural materials combine to significantly reduce resonance. We have complemented this success with a column isolation cartridge design which enables you to change the density of our isolation shims and, by experimentation precisely tune the rack to the room and optimize the acoustic performance of audio systems.
From the user feedback received since product launch our STAVE AUDIO precision engineered audio stands have achieved acoustic performance gains ranging from ‘subtle to ‘substantial’ depending on the room acoustics, positioning and the type of audio equipment being housed.
