Cone/Spike Decoupling Glider Review Archive

Having cleared UK Customs now received & installed under my PMC Twenty 26 speakers & PMC Twenty Sub subwoofer. I have a carpeted suspended wooden floor & played Patrick Williams " Home Suite Home " new CD as my ' test ' disc. My whole listening experience has been uplifted -- bass , as expected , is fuller & extracts the optimum performance from these transmission line speakers but, unexpectedly treble & mid-range sing out just that bit more sweetly. Soundscape & stereo imaging also shows noticeable upgrade. Speaker also now easy to move & position perfectly for optimum performance. The gliders also lift the speakers a few centimeters more off the floor than spikes alone & I feel that this also adds to the sonic upgrade. Excellent packaging, fast shipping & manufacturing quality of product all adds to a ***** AAA customer experience -- Thank you , Herbie !
David Hall, England

Well, it's another brilliant success for your products in my systems. I finally got home to my reference system and got the giant gliders under the WATTs/Puppies and it was remarkable how much unrecognized haze was removed. instrumental separation and dimensionality (the quality of being 3d as opposed to a 2d cutout) were most noticably improved. I've been tweaking since the days when sorbothane discs were high tech. Your line is undoubtedly the biggest bang for the buck that I've yet encountered. I'm cheerfully plotting the next step in the 'Herbiefication' of my system, now. Thanks!
Steven Yood

Excerpt from Affordable$$Audio Issue #44, pages 18-21, "Tweaking the Vibes: Herbie's Audio Labs Component Feet and Stabilizers": "Once positioned suitably, the speakers sang with a new voice, one that no longer sounded overripe and with a freed-up midrange that revealed details not obvious heretofore."
Patrick Dillon, Austin, Texas

The packaging was great and the delivery was fast form USA to Australia. These decouplers are for a new to me pair of Avantgarde Duo Omega speakers. I have had them for about 3 months and have been tuning them for optimal sound for about two months now in my dedicated audio room. These speakers are a nightmare to tune as there is so much that can be adjusted. I am very happy to say that this upgrade increased the clarity of the sound by a great deal. I did not expect this much of an improvement. I would rate this as the best value to improvement ratio in my system. And if I was not comparing costs, it would rank either 1st or 2nd as the biggest improvement I've seen since upgrading almost everything in my system.
Ken Wong, Australia

Enjoying the music without boombass. Gives a more relaxed sound so you can listen for hours. Thank you for a great product. Regards, Bob
Bob Van der Splinter, Rijswijk, Netherlands

There's Black Magic at play here!! Seriously, these have just arrived (7 days delay caused by UK Customs, $60 duty - ouch!) and the transformation to the bottom end of my system is nothing short of miraculous. Out with the granite slabs, in with the gliders, and all vestiges of the bass resonation that's been plaguing me has vanished. My speakers are ProAc K6s, onto a suspended wooden planked floor over a 6' void. The spikes and slabs did a pretty good job, but these gliders, apart from being far more aesthetically pleasing, have truly hit the spot. Best £200 I've ever spent on the hi-fi, I cannot recommend these enough. Last, but not least, terrific service from Herbies. Swift despatch, great communications, and even a refund on part of my postage. Fantastic!
Tim Crux, United Kingdom

Overall excellent, well priced products backed by superb service. The advice from Robert was honest and prompt, much appreciated by a novice like me! I initially ordered the cone spike gliders, steel base to place underneath the spikes of my KEF Reference 205/2s placed on a tiled floor. Though sounding great originally, the speakers became very focused with the gliders and the brightness was well channeled with amazing improvement in instrument separation. I experimented by placing the gliders only under one speaker and the comparison between the two speakers sound was startling. Subsequently I placed big extra firm tenderfeet underneath my McIntosh MA7900 integrated amp, followed by big soft tenderfeet underneath my Marantz SACD player as well as the Clearaudio Concept moving coil turntable. Overall result: exquisite well balanced sound on top of as is beautiful sonics. Robert's advice was superb and saved me from considerable hassle and expense. The delivery was prompt more so as I am based abroad. I strongly recommend herbie products. Apart from the above, I am using Analysis Plus interconnects and speaker cables, and Russ Andrews power cords. These are awesome add ons and Herbie's feet have completed my audio set up in a very inexpensive manner.
Bhupi Jain, Doha, Qatar

Just got my decoupling gliders, which have made a huge difference in my system. I have Martin Logan Summit X speakers (which include both forward and bottom firing subwoofers), and, before adding the decouplers, I could see the planks of my hardwood flooring vibrating significantly when I played something with heavy bass. With the decouplers, there isn't a trace of vibration coming from the floors, and the sound is much tighter, firmer, and authoritative. Good work!
Russell Reising, Toledo

I received the Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders - I have a pair of Dynaudio C1 Signatures, on spiked stands, on a hardwood floor. I was having trouble with some serious bass resonance in my 18’ x 11’ room. I thought it was just my room resonating (the dimensions of my room are approximately the wavelengths of 63Hz x 100Hz), but I felt the floor around the speaker stands and could feel it vibrating a bit. The spikes do taper down to a small point, but vibration transfers very efficiently between solids :-) So I took a shot with your gliders. Man, what huge difference! I didn’t realize how much the floor was resonating! Putting the gliders under the spikes cleaned up the low end in my room immensely. Huge, huge improvement. Thanks for making them!
James Patterson, Hollywood, California

I been an audiophile for quite some time now and really like this hobby and i enjoyed every second i spent playing with my system, but i didn't know about how important is isolation for the towers, i'm totally surprise with the improvements in the sound, its night and day differences, unbelievable differences, the sound quality has improved all around overall performance sounding more tight and punchy bass, way more open and articulate, everything sound better now!! Well i don't even know how this work but i know it works, this is what i needed for my system sound 10 out of 10, i always feel there was something missing in the sound quality and i didn't know was the isolation. i'm very happy with my purchase and this is an outstanding product. Thank you so much steve.
Stharling Toribio, New York

The improvement the cone/spike decouplers made to my system are way out of sight compared to the cost of the them. If you are thinking of trying them out, go for it - you won't be disappointed with the results ! Thanks Steve.
S. A.

I just put Cone Spike decoupling Base only under my Speakers spikes cones. Its similar to fat dots which i use between Speakers and Stands. Big improvement. More clear sound, especially bass, but also mids and highs. More depth. More music. My floor is wooden so maybe vibrate a lot but i think it works on any kind of floor. I will also use that under my rack. I ordered base only because i have steel cones already but Herbie Gliders will be more practical for moving Speakers around. And also i switched few years ago from aluminium cones to steel and there was improvement in sound - in bass. So cones and decoupling matters. Big and fantastic improvement. Very easy to hear. I will order 8 more just for reserve;)
H Mijovic, Zagreb, Croatia

I just installed 8 pcs of Titanium gliders under the spikes of my Franco Serblin Ktema loudspeakers replacing original factory pads. Difference in sound is obvious and audible from the first notes. Not only bass but whole range sounds fuller and more articulated. Sound has more weight, harmonics and body. A bit warmer presentation - just a bit toward old original Sonus Faber house sound - a very pleasant to listen. At first moment I was not sure if the gliders do not slower the attack a bit and making a bit rounder leading edges. After making few back and forth comparisons with original pads I concluded that the gliders are overall clearly better. Great product! Thank you!
Przemyslaw S

Titanium sliders for spikes. Used on hardwood floors in older home. On first listen this weekend it was a great improvement. I have KEF R700's and the bass and imaging are greatly improved. I can listen now at a lower volume if I want and get a much better experience. Thanks a lot!
Salvatore G., New Jersey

A modest outlay of $ on your Cone/Spike decoupling gliders has returned a large dose of sonic goodness to my system. A great product at a great price !!! If only all upgrades were so cheap & effective ....... Many thanks.
Stuart A, New Zealand

I just wanted to email you to say how amazed and delighted I am with the improvements I got using your Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders as interface between my hard wooden floor and the conical spikes of my Von Schweikert VR4jr speakers. I was expecting these Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders to just improve the bass on my VR4jrs, which in my room, can sound a bit boomy on certain CDs. Well, it improved the bass alright, but more than that, these Gliders brought a big all-round improvement to detail & sound-stage which I was not expecting. The improvements I heard are not subtle, but is unmistakable and clear on first listening. I got similar improvements when using the Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders on my stand mounted Linn Sara speakers. You will know how happy I have been with your other products, Isocup & ball, Tenderfeet etc. So I should not be surprised at how these Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders perform. But one thing I would like to emphasis, and to say Thank you again, is how much I appreciate your business principle to just make what you rightly say, is a fair return on material investment & labour, while aiming to keep prices as low as possible. In the audio market place, this principle is unfortunately sorely lacking, as most other suppliers think nothing of charging exhorbitant margins. So thank you again Steve.
Benjamin To, Hong Kong

Replaced the decouplers under my Maggie 3.5Rs. It's like the difference between digital and analog. My source is a Raysonic 228 with 4X 6922 output tubes. The additional texture and warmth are hard to believe.
Robert Hart, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Well I installed the Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders--removed the flat feet and added the spikes w/the gliders (KEF Reference 205/2's on hardwood floor), leveled the speakers and the improvement in sound was immediately audible. Everything tightened up nicely. Very impressed Steve!
Mark L., Florida

With the gliders in action the bottom end is rounder and tighter. Bass notes on pianos sound with a lot of power making this instrument a lot more real.
Jose L. Catalin, Spain

I never realized how bad my floor (bonus room over garage) vibration problem was with spikes through carpet to subfloor, 80 lb. speakers. The small Cone/Spike Gliders are fantastic. These Gliders have made a change equal to adding a new component!!
Bill McDonald, Troy, New York

I recently ordered some spike decouplers for use with my electrostatic speakers and had excellent results. Thanks Steve!
B. Hodgetts, Wellington, New Zealand

Got the goods today and am VERY happy. The footers took care of my component and speaker issues instantly. I'm good to go. just wanted to thank you for the outstanding product *and service*. will pass along the word that Herbie's rocks! cheers my friend!
Lev Akdemir, Illinois

I put the Gliders under my LR main speakers which are towers. I did this after installing Tenderfeet under all electronics. Again, additional improvement to the sound could be heard. It just keeps getting better and better with every addition of Herbie's isolation devices.
Brent Tuthill, Hendersonville, North Carolina

I wanted to let you know I got the package today. Once again I was suprised by the amount of improvement in every facet of my system. What I notice the most is what I would describe as an iron fisted placement of every instrument. And much more detail jumps out. Subtle changes in dynamics are more apparent. I listened to Miles Davis At The Blackhawk tonight and the subtle dynamics I'm trying to describe were much more apparent in Miles' control of his horn. In hindsight, all of these improvements make sense because by removing vibration, you remove variations in phase which 'smear' the soundstage. You never realize the veils that exist until they're removed I guess. But I have to say that another significant veil has been removed. Thanks again Steve for your help and your suggestions which were dead on (Tenderfeet and Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders).
Chris Centlivre

If you use spikes and want to adjust toe-in, you gotta have these.
Lawrence Boden

VERY happy with my recent purchase. Who woulda thunk such a difference! Everything seems to tighten up a notch and a veil is lifted in the highs.
Barry M., Cincinnati, Ohio
Archived Review 11 months ago
Thanks for the quick turn-around; the footers arrived today and do great things for the sound here!
Nathaniel Towery