Long in the pursuit of the understanding of vibration and resonance control, Star Sound Technologies, LLC has been involved in the study and development of the Audio Point™ since 1989.

Although technological advancements have been made in materials and processes, there are certain factors that remain constant in all audio devices regardless of application or use. One of the factors, Coulomb Friction, is a form of a damped free or forced vibration. It has a time element, a frequency [in audio there can be many frequencies], and a free or forced resonant path of travel. At a point along this path, it must either exit away from the source of origin or re-enter the area near the source and develop additional harmonics. It will then continue to repeat this process, thus transforming a simple vibration into resonance.

This resonance can be developed by many components whether active or passive. Active components that include power transformers, power supply capacitors, and silicon devices, can contribute added frequencies and harmonics to this on-going resonance. Passive devices such as resistors, potentiometers and signal capacitors can contribute to this process by storing or delaying the signal, thus inducing another factor into the resonance problem.

Loudspeakers provide the best example of the problems associated with resonance. First the amplifier moves (or rather modulates) the drivers, each one to its own set of frequencies. The drivers then modulate the speaker cabinets. The cabinets, in turn re-modulate the drivers and the process begins all over again.

Most of the coupling or isolation devices on the market today do something to resonance. Many of these, however themselves become storage devices allowing only some, if any, of the resonance to be directed away from the equipment.

The second factor to be addressed is that understanding the Phase Difference between the impressed force (impressed force movement) and a resulting steady-state vibration of the damped system (the Coulomb Friction). This recognizes amplitudes developed when Coulomb Friction is drained out of the equipment through a supporting device, such as the Audio Point™, that is placed under a product in direct contact with the chassis. In order to have the most effect in this area; this supporting device needs to “fool” the resonant energy's focal point below the tip of the Audio Point™ into the surface upon which it is resting.

Having stated all of the above facts (we say “facts” because you cannot change established laws of physics), our entire designs, raw materials, proportions, thread unions, etc., are determined by these parameters. We now have over 28 different size applications of height and thread combinations.

The sonic benefits of using Audio Points™ are many. Bass is tightened; vocals become unveiled and placed more naturally as high frequencies have improved definition, clarity, and extension. Applications now range from pre and power amplifiers, CD drives and DACs, tuners and tape decks, turntables, racks, speakers, even VCRs, televisions, laser disc players, and yes, computers, microwaves and swimming pool filters too!

Form truly follows function.

It is not that the ideas of cones and feet are new. It is rather the application of the aforementioned factors to the real world of audio - Literally to the (Audio) Point™ !