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MDF Rack dampening question

Hello all,
I'm using a 4 shelf MDF rack that has hollow alum metal columns, and plastic looking (may be silicone) footers. Floor is porcelain tile. There's lots of empty space between the shelves.

I feel vibration on my equipment while listening to music and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to help eliminate this (short of replacing the rack)

Some ideas I am kicking around are listed, wondering if you have tried and if it made any difference.

Fill hollow metal columns with sand
Changing footers to brass spikes
Dampening material under each shelf (Dynamat Extreme or another) which would also block EMF between shelves
Mounting each piece of equipment on butcher block w vibrapods (or similar)

Regards,
alex333
alex333 OP
38 posts
 
StudioTech hf-4

Just looked at the specs, says its medium density fiber board.

Wondering how much a low end rack is really affecting the sound..
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,008 posts
 
What type of sand did you use?
alex333 OP
38 posts
 
Home Depot "natural play sand" They had another, much thinner, called leveling sand, but I was afraid of the mess.

Ordered Dynamat Extreme 10435 door kit ($50). Trying to increase the mass on each shelf to reduce vibrations, and also it should give some EMF shielding between components because it has an aluminum sheet.

We'll see what happens.
theaudiotweak
1,793 posts
 
With your additional choice of materials you are now trapping more vibrations and .....over a longer period of time. Instead of allowing for and providing a path for vibrations to naturally migrate away fom your components you have provided a greater storage reservoir. Have you provided a way for self induced component vibrations or those that travel thru the air a method of retreat? Tom
alex333 OP
38 posts
 
Im not sure I understand. Am I going to get negative results by adding mass to the rack with sand in the steel tubes and dynamat to the shelves? Floor is concrete, sub is on vibrapods, so I believe most vibration felt on the shelf is via the sound waves over the air. Other than getting the shelves made out of birch or another material, what else can I do?
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