Within the Specialty Audio Industry you will find many types of brass component and loudspeaker conical footer devices. Each manufacturer provides some type of description as to how their products function. You may notice there are multiple descriptions on functionality, some of which are completely diverse, even though they are all just “brass cones”. You will also find that the price points of brass cones will differ greatly from most affordable on up to the more expensive versions that cost five times the investment.
This paper is intended to provide a greater understanding of Star Sound products and how they work when compared too similar products within this subjective marketplace. This knowledge is intended to assist the listener in making a more informed decision on their investments.
Listed below are four categories that determine the value of our brass points.
1. Functionality:
The functionality of the Star Sound Points™, Platforms, Speakers and Amplifiers is based on Live-Vibe Technology™, the Science of Resonance Energy Transfer.
Utilizing a specific geometry, which embodies a solid and proven understanding of the laws of Coulomb friction and energy transfer, provides an ultra efficient grounding plane for resonance to flow away from the loudspeaker or component to earth’s ground. Live-Vibe Technology does not limit or try to stop the components or speakers from vibrating. Its primary purpose is to transfer or dissipate excess mechanical energy which continuously accumulates within any vibrating surface as a result of the properties of Coulomb friction. Vibration decay is a natural process related to the mass and density of the component or loudspeaker. If it is going to vibrate – let it!
The Live-Vibe process enhances the efficiency level at which the component or loudspeaker is operating. This newfound effectiveness results in a greater, more natural flow of signal with less disruption or distortion thereof. This successful vibration control methodology translates to the listener as producing much more musical quality with regards to the live performance.
The geometry coupled with the material science establish the sonic merit related to the transfer of resonance properties.
A. Brass is a conductive material that will conduct and transfer mechanical resonance.
B. Brass does not “isolate” components or loudspeakers from vibrations.
It often appears that much of the documentation pertaining to resonance control in the high-end Specialty Audio Industry is for some reason or another described as, entitled or referred to as ‘Isolation’. This terminology compels the brain to associate audio equipment floating in a space free from detrimental vibrations or listening to equipment in a vibration free environment.
In our opinion, the term isolation is one of the biggest oxymorons consistently recognized as the heavens choice of resonance control. If a company employs damping or absorption processes, it is called isolation. We state that within the description of our own technology there is a ‘resonance transfer process’. When documented by many of our listeners, it somehow gets linked to or is assumed to be an isolation process – which it is not. Please review our various papers on vibration control through the use of of Live-Vibe Technology™ in order to form a greater understanding of our views on isolation processes and the differences we so dispute.
From time to time, we have read on audio forums that it appears to be the goal of the listener (along with some resonance and acoustic control manufacturers) to eliminate all vibration from their audio system, thus inventing vibration free components and vibration free listening environments. We have no idea as to what would make sound at that point, since the very basic properties of vibration are required to establish sound.
Sound is a result caused from vibration.
2. Size and Shape Matters:
You will find that with all Star Sound Points, “the bigger the Point” does not always make for the best choice for use. We have found that manufacturing various body styles and shapes targeting specific purposes determines the efficiency (speed) of resonance flow and sound quality.
We would not sell a two inch Point for a ten pound CD player when, quite simply, the one inch Point would mechanically faster and provide greater dynamics and control of a wider frequency range. The two inch Point would tend to absorb too much energy from the lightweight CD player, slowing down the rate of transfer. This process would create a much duller sound or extremely short decay in the speed of the sonic.
We have discovered a long time ago that there are so many variables in chassis design that one could not cover the whole offerings from our industry by offering a few conical structures (small, medium and large) that appear to have the same body style which leads us to the next level of understanding.
It is important that one analyzes the mass, material make up and chassis design of the speaker or component prior to determining what Star Sound Audio Point would function best. This is why we will always pay for the telephone call and answer all of your questions. We help in guiding you to the best model to meet your needs.
A. Carpeted surfaces and hardwood flooring also affect function.
To remedy this situation the tips on Star Sound Audio Points have a specified geometry. They do not appear as a standardized apex similar to most cones. These tips are designed to penetrate all carpets, wood floors or shelving. In situations where you desire to protect the hard surface from scratches, the APCD2 Coupling Disc handles this requirement.
As carpet is manufactured the fibers are woven together. The Point’s graduating bottom slope slowly spreads the fibers away from the body allowing just the tip of the Point to penetrate the carpet and pad and touch the sub-flooring. For the past seventeen years, we have no complaints about the Points causing any damage to carpet or padding.
Certain wood flooring appears as a distraught finish whereas there are many marks and nicks purposely placed into the flooring finish providing yet another design concept. Star Audio Points will leave approximately a 1/16TH of an inch hole in wood flooring. These holes go unnoticed on most flooring of this type, although it is the customer who decides to place the Points onto the finish.
For those who have a hard smooth finish we have designed a surface protection Coupling Disc (model number APCD2). This Coupling Disc is engineered to match the speed and dissipation of resonance from the Point to the floor, without damage to the floor or impedance of transfer.
3. Material Science:
Material must be properly matched to the geometry in order to optimize the end result.
The differences in costs of most cones are directly related to the grade and cost of brass used in the manufacture said devices.
Most brasses used within this Industry come from the Alpha-beta brass group and contain a percentage of lead that insures an easier machinability. The lead acts a lubricant thus preserves cutting tools life spans. Brass is manufactured and processed in ‘grades’ such as a lower grade of brass is graded at 200 and a higher grade establishes itself at 300 on up.
What determines the lower versus the higher grades of brass?
The lower grades contain far more lead which is a cost effective material. The higher grades of brass contain far less lead and much more of the higher priced metals such as copper.
The malleability and acoustic properties of brass have made it the metal of choice for brass musical instruments such as the trombone, tuba, trumpet and euphonium. In the musical instrument business some brass formulas are considered Trade Secrets. Ever wonder why an entry level saxophone sells for a few hundred dollars, and a much higher level of sound quality, like the Selmer® brand, can cost in the thousands of dollars? The quality and composition of brass remains the difference between the pricing and sonic quality of both saxophones.
In reproducing sound, lead deadens or kills frequency response thus reducing the level of harmonic structures. Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, ductile, very soft, highly malleable, bluish-white metal that has poor electrical conductivity. When used withIn the history of vibration control it is also known as a primarily absorbent material that eats all types of energy caused from vibration. This includes those all important dynamic and harmonic structures which our human ears find most important in the delicate perception of the musical reproduction processes. Ever wonder why early musical instruments were never made from lead?
The reality of employing such a higher grade of brass is only part one of many steps concerning our products’ sound qualities. The remaining factors lie deep within the finishing process.
4. Finished Appearance:
When using a higher grade of brass (containing more copper) within a design, you realize it is extremely susceptible to oxidation.
Oxidation of brass will alter the natural brilliance of its appearance and turn the sheen into a dark shade or green color. This degrading process also changes the material itself at the molecular level, so this becomes a primary concern. A defective material will alter the end result of functionality.
Star Sound products require a very high grade of brass to speed the resonance transfer process. Very similar to musical instruments, we have found that the higher grade of brass employed into each design attains a more musical result.
The more affordable versions of brass cones contain a much higher content of lead versus copper. You can usually note this visually by their color content. Less expensive brass will have a very deep or murky tone leaning towards the darker color spectrum. Some sellers elect to paint the brass in order to conceal the quality of brass they employ.
There is even a way to make any grade of brass appear as a very expensive piece of jewelry.
This process is known as electroplating. The core material could be steel, lead, aluminum, heavily leaded brass or any type of metallic material. Electroplating provides an extremely exotic finish to the eye but may have some difficulty when it comes into play in the listening environment.
In the past Star Sound has tried applying the electroplating process to the brass we primarily use. By applying another material to high grade brass, we found it to degrade the sonic capability of the design and, therefore, have never seen it as a viable option. The goals of this company are focused more on sound than that of shinny cosmetic packages.
So the trick now becomes how to preserve the higher grades of brass and keep it free from oxidation?
We will state that we employ a five step cleaning procedure for all brass Points and a two step lacquer process to finalize the finish. The actual details of the finishing process we employ are regarded as a trade secret. Over the past seventeen years of manufacturing Star Sound Points, we have not changed our finish and our products continue to retain their silky natural appeal of high grade brass.
Function and Guarantee:
In closing, all brass cones are not created equal. On many discussion forums it generally appears that if you have tried one brand, you have tried them all. The facts remain that all brass cones will do something to alter the signature of a component or loudspeaker. The principle difference in these products is that some offer much greater satisfaction from listening than do others. There are extremely audible differences between them.
Our approach to product acceptance has been – and always will be – a financial return of your investment should you not reach 100% Total and Complete Satisfaction from your listening enjoyment.
We anticipate that this paper will expand your understanding that vibration control not only involves superior mathematics, but heavily relies on material sciences as well. You owe it to yourself to listen to various designs of cones and Points. Some, more than others, will definitely increase the musical performance and provide a higher value from your investment.
You already own much more quality and musical performance than you realize, sitting within the system currently in your room. Our products are designed to bring out the purest performance that your components and speakers have to offer.
Of this fact we remain confident that you too will agree.