Retail prices in Euro, including VAT:
AUVA 50 – 517 euro for 8 isolators
AUVA 70 – 990 euro for 8 isolators
AUVA 100 – 1.463 euro for 8 isolators
Review samples supplied by Stack Audio
Stack Audio
Vibrations exist in our systems, and those vibrations can distort the music we love. British manufacturer Stack Audio aims to bring music to life by focusing on vibration dissipation and isolation, leaving only the pure, undistorted music we want to hear. Their mission is to remove masking vibrations so that the audio equipment can reveal more detail, texture, and transparency.
Stack Audio has noticed that the performance and price of hi-fi equipment and accessories are often not directly related—minor improvements typically come with a disproportionate price tag. Since its incorporation in 2013, all Stack Audio products have been fully designed and assembled in-house in the UK. The company strives to develop products that outperform their price bracket yet are still constructed to the highest standards.
The company offers two kinds of Isolators: the AUVA EQ System Isolator (audio component footers) and the AUVA Speaker Isolator (speaker footers). For this review, I’ll focus on the Speaker Isolators.
There are three Speaker Isolator versions to choose from – AUVA 50, 70, and 100. They attach via supplied threaded bolts into the existing mounting holes on the underside of loudspeakers or stand mounts. Different thread sizes are available to suit, and the AUVAs are provided either with carpet spikes or protective felt pads for use on solid floors.
All AUVA variants support speakers up to 275 Kg and can be used with both stand-mount and floor-standing loudspeakers. However, the vibration-absorbing performance depends on the version and size. The AUVA 50 contains 2 internal cells for effective vibration absorption. The AUVA 70 has 3 cells, and the 100 has 5. The AUVA 70 and 100 additionally include a central particle-filled chamber for extra absorption capability.
AUVA technology
Vibrations can distort the sound we hear, emphasizing some frequencies over others and masking detail and texture. The AUVA Isolators are designed to hold loudspeakers rigidly while absorbing and dissipating cabinet vibrations before passing them down to the floor. Simultaneously, the products aim to prevent room vibrations from feeding back up into the speakers.
Stack Audio explains that compliant isolators (such as rubber, foam, or springs) can reduce vibration but move and compress, leaving your speakers held less rigid. I can attest to this as I have yet to find a compliant footer that provides clarity and control to my satisfaction.
As Stack Audio acknowledges, holding loudspeakers precisely is critical to hearing spatial detail and the clarity and timing of musical notes. These are essential elements that make focused listening a pleasure and hold your attention. This is why it is common to use spikes under loudspeakers, which couple them to the floor. And, sure enough, this statement is again fully on par with my personal experiences.
However, as the company found, there is a problem with spikes alone as they allow vibration to pass right through in both directions – to and from the loudspeakers. The AUVAs work differently: enclosed within the AUVA’s precision machined aluminum cases are cells containing a mixture of particles. Vibrations excite the particles, creating movement and collisions that dissipate the energy virtually instantaneously. Think of it like throwing a ball into soft sand – the sand absorbs the energy from the ball, preventing it from bouncing. According to the maker, this patent-pending technology enables the AUVAs to remove masking vibrations over a wide frequency range, revealing more of the clarity in the musical recording. In essence, by working like a natural extension to the speaker, AUVA loudspeaker isolators are designed to provide the best qualities of both spikes and isolators – without the drawbacks.
The products come complete with detailed instructions, which cover not just the installation but also speaker setup in general and contain a lot of good advice.
System Context
The AUVA isolators will be listened to in the main system in combination with the Magico S1 MkII loudspeakers, powered by a CH Precision L1 preamplifier and CH Precision A1.5 power amp.
Highly recommended for this job: Wurth Viking Arm. This tool makes swapping footers a breeze, carefully and precisely lifting even very heavy speakers with ease.
My room has a laminate floor (vinyl planking), and I usually use Spikes under all racks and speakers. The AUVAs are fitted with solid floor circular felt pads and can optionally be ordered to include Carpet spikes. As their name implies, these are intended to pierce carpets and provide solid coupling to the hard floor underneath. Given my laminate floor, the AUVAs should be used with their felt pads.
I did entertain the idea of also trying the supplied spikes, but I do not have 24 identical spike discs to facilitate this. A wood plank could be used to protect the floor, but that would induce a different sound than the stainless steel disks I usually use, and the speakers would sit too high, further skewing the comparisons. Finally, I contemplated using the spikes directly on the floor, but obtaining 72 new holes in a single session seemed like a bit much, so I just used the AUVAs with their felt pads, as intended.
Next: Listening and Conclusion
I understand the sound changes a little while the Auvas settle down, so I would have liked your opinion of the small changes you are so apt to explain. I think the 70s also look good on the S1.
Hi Vladimir, I have not specifically paid attention to long-term effects, so alas, I cannot comment on that.
I agree the 70s look best with the S1s.