Made with finely textured, open-cell silicone foam, this mat has unsurpassed vibration-absorbing characteristics and no resonant qualities to discolor the music. Records are thoroughly decoupled from unwanted platter micro-vibration. Available in a variety of thicknesses and diameters to fit almost any turntable.
A black elastomer "donut" on top of the white foam base reduces vinyl/stylus feedback and eliminates lateral slippage. Also provides for recessed label area and outer edge lead-in. Completely non-tacky, records lift right off the mat, while the underlying foam holds firmly to the platter (records can be lifted off while the platter is turning).
Since its introduction in December, 2002, Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mats have been tested against almost every kind of turntable mat with many different kinds of turntables, both in-house and by our customers. Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mats have consistently proven superior to stock felt mats and clearly outperform stock rubber mats. With virtually any kind of turntable, a Way Excellent II Turntable Mat is a safe bet to do better than any cork, Sorbothane, shelf-material, or hard carbon/graphite mat. Compared to high-end mats costing several times more, Herbie's Way Excellent II Turntable Mat consistently competes within a margin of personal preference or better with most turntables.
Way Excellent II delivers extremely fast dynamic response and finely-textured, natural detail with subtle ambience, not a false "staccato-like" sense of detail like cork and some other materials tend to provide. With a truer rotation of the vinyl, you get a more faithful rendering of the music and atmosphere of the originally recorded event.
If unsure which mat to choose, you'll virtually always do well with a Way Excellent II Turntable Mat that's closest in thickness and diameter to your turntable's stock platter mat.
*A note on thickness:
The open-cell silicone foam used with Way Excellent II Turntable Mats is very efficient and does not necessarily need to be as thick as stock rubber mats to effectively isolate a record from the platter and do a better job at it. Any thickness above 4mm simply adds thickness and height, with no real increase in isolation capacity. Usually, the only reason you would need a mat thicker than 4mm is if you cannot adjust VTA/tonearm height to accommodate. With platters not prone to ringing or excessive rumble, a thinner mat is usually sufficient.
Custom center hole:
All Way Excellent Turntable Mats are available with custom center hole for only $1.50 extra, any size up to two inches diameter, or 4.25" (108mm) "donut" hole. If you would like a custom center hole, simply order whichever Way Excellent Turntable Mat you want, and specify in the "comments" section of the order form the desired center hole diameter, in either inches or millimeters.
Standard Way Excellent II spindle hole is 7.25mm (.2854") and accomodates all standard LP spindles (which vary only slightly, from .278" to .285"). Standard singles "45 RPM" adapter requirement is 1-1/2".
Way Excellent II-2mm:
Recommended upgrade for most turntables with thin felt mat. (For turntables without VTA adjustment, choose whichever mat is closest in thickness to your present mat.) Ideal for Linn, AR, Audio Note, Oracle, and other suspended-platter turntables. Great upgrade/replacement mat for Pro-Ject; Music Hall MMF–series; Rega Planar–series (except P9); Nottingham Horizon, Horizon SE, Spacedeck. Overall mat thickness: 2mm; weight: 60 grams (2.1 oz.).
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables with stock felt mat.
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Fits Pro-Ject Debut Carbon.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter. For Pro-Ject turntables with 280mm platter and other turntables requiring an undersize 11" mat (for Pro-Ject models having a 300mm platter, a full-size 295mm-diameter mat is appropriate).
Way Excellent II-2.4mm:
Recommended for turntables with medium thickness felt mat. Popular choice for ceramic-platter Rega P7 (click for photo). Overall thickness: 2.4mm; weight: 65 grams (2.3 oz.).
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 292mm (11.5") diameter.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-3mm:
Recommended for turntables with thick felt mat or thin rubber mat about 1/8" thick. Most popular upgrade choice for Thorens, Orbit, VPI Scout 1.1, and VPI Traveler (for Scout 1.1 and Traveler II* platter with raised center hub, choose 4.25" donut hole option from the Shopping Cart drop-down menu). Overall thickness: 3mm; weight: 70 grams (2.5 oz.).
*Note on VPI Traveler II: when VPI Traveler version 2 first came out the platter had a raised center hub, while more recent version 2 Travelers have a flat platter. The 4.25" donut hole option is only needed if your Traveler II has the raised center hub, otherwise the standard center hole is fine.
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Perfect for Gyrodec MkIII and other tables needing an 11.5" mat.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter. Garrard Zero100.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-3.4mm:
Upgrade replacement for Oracle mats and for any turntable requiring a medium-thickness platter mat. Overall thickness: 3.35mm; weight: 82 grams (2.89 oz.).
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 290mm (11.42") diameter. For Oracle Delphi tables having a recessed platter a little under 11.5" from inner lip to lip, and other turntables using an 11-7/16" diameter mat.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-3.7mm:
For turntables with mat about 5/32" thick. Overall thickness: 3.7mm; weight: 99 grams (3.5 oz.).
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-4mm:
For turntables with mat 4mm thick* and for VTA-adjustable turntables with semi-hollow cast platters prone to ringing. For belt-drive turntables, 4mm thickness provides sufficient isolation to effectively reduce or eliminate motor-induced 50Hz - 60Hz hum.
Popular choice for Empire, Technics, Garrard, Dual, Denon, Harman/Kardon, Kenwood, JVC, Lenco, Pioneer, and Well Tempered turntables. (For turntables without VTA/tonearm height adjustment, use whichever Way Excellent II is closest in thickness to your present mat.) Overall thickness: 4mm; weight: 108 grams (3.8 oz.)
Size options:
- 295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. For tables using an 11.5" mat like Technics SP10, SL-1300, and bevelled-platter Garrard turntables.Great for Luxman PD–series turntables.
- 290mm (11.42") diameter. Fits Technics SP-15 and SP-25.
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285mm (11.22") diameter. For platters with a raised outer ridge like AT LP-120, AT-LP140XP, **Technics SL-1200 series, SL-1500-series and other turntables using a thick 11.25" or 285mm mat.
**Some Technics SL-1200 series turntables may require a 290mm-diameter mat. Measure the diameter of the platter within the raised outer ridge to determine correct mat diameter. - 280mm (11") diameter. Pioneer PL-100, PL-200, PL-300, PL-400.
Way Excellent II-4.5mm:
With dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat about 3/16" thick*
Overall thickness: 4.5mm; weight: 113 grams (4 oz.)
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter. Ideal for most Pioneer PL-series turntables that do not have VTA adjustment (PL-12D, PL-15D, PL-512, PL-514, PL-516, PL-518, and others).
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-5mm:
With dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat 5mm thick*
Overall thickness: 5mm; weight: 120 grams (4.2 oz.)
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter. Audio Technica AT-LP5.
Way Excellent II-5.3mm:
With dual-layer foam base.
Overall thickness: 5.3mm; weight: 125 grams (4.4 oz.)
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-5.56mm:
With dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat 7/32" thick*
Overall thickness: 5.56mm; weight: 136 grams (4.8 oz.)
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-6mm:
With extra thick dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat just a little under 1/4" thick* Overall thickness: 6mm; weight: 153 grams (5.4 oz.).
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-6.35mm:
With extra thick dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat 1/4" thick*
Overall thickness: 6.35mm; weight: 160 grams (5.6 oz.).
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-6.9mm:
With extra thick dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat just over 1/4" thick* Overall thickness: 6.9mm; weight: 182 grams (6.4 oz.).
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
Way Excellent II-7.2mm:
With extra thick dual-layer foam base, for turntables with mat about 9/32" thick* Overall thickness: 7.2mm; weight: 190 grams (6.7 oz.).
Size options:
- 292mm (11.5") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables.
- 285mm (11.22") diameter.
- 280mm (11") diameter.
- Reviews
- Questions
Herbies audio mat recommended
I bought this primarily cause I can't adjust vta on my tt. Highly recommended quality mat. Exceeded expectations on my Pioneer PL 518.
United StatesWay Excellent!
Bought this to upgrade the factory rubber mat on my Denon DL-62L. I'd tried a fancy cork mat previously and the static was brutal. It'd pull off while removing the album. Trash! Herbie's rocks. No static as yet and I do believe an increase in SC. That'll take a bit to ponder but a definite improvement.
United KingdomWay Excellent ll Turntable Mat
As the product name suggests this is a excellent enhancement for my Technics SL1200G turntable. It actually does manage to broaden the sound quality which in turn produces a fuller and rich sound. The thickness of this mat also helps with the VTA on this particular turntable to. My only slight criticism would be the centre hole could do with some sort of grommet fitting which would make for a snugger fit around the spindle.
United KingdomFabulous mat
The Way Excellent II Turntable mat is superb. I had experimented with other mats but have settled on the Herbie - it’s awesome.
United StatesThe Way Excellent..Mat is perfectly named
I love my new Way Excellent…Mat. It runs circles around the old felt mat and really improved the sound I was getting from my turntable. Plus, Robert is good people (as they say).
United StatesDimensionally fits perfect on my H-K platter and lays completely flat. Performs wonderfully.
United StatesBeyond Expectations
I am totally dumbfounded and cannot think of another product upgrade that has provided such a satisfying result. Overall, better and more realistic music. Most noticeable would be the bass bloom is no longer over shadowing the rest of the music. Everything is clearer with more space, evidently because the bass is more controlled. I have on my Sota Escape (a great table with an acrylic platter) which now sounds as good as any table I’ve ever heard (I also own a Linn LP12). Thank you Herbie. Highest recommendation.
United StatesTried The Rest, This Is The Best
I went on a mission for the best mat for my Pro-Ject TT with metal platter. This one checks all the boxes, sounds rich with no lost dynamics that I can tell, no noticeable static, doesn't leave debris on LPs, and does not lift up with LP changes. Bonus, it looks great.
United StatesThis mat is killer.
I was hesitant but man did this item make a difference in the sound of my records.
United StatesSweet new mat
Overall very happy with this new mat. Looks great on my SL-1300!
Australiaway excellent 11 turntable mat
Over the years I have tried just about every turntable mat that has been available on my Denon direct drive turntables and last few years my Linn Sondeks When I tried Herbies Way II mat my friend and I were completely amazed at the sound we were hearing from my classical test record. the natural tones of the orchestra the detail, soundstage. We were just hearing what was on the grooves of the record. other mats we have tried have a sound of their own. Herbies mat has also convinced my son and my friend to buy one. .Go for it.
CanadaWay Excellent II turntable mat
Indeed, an "excellent" product. Certainly solved the issue of the felt mat that came with my Rega RP8 turntable sticking to quite a few records when lifting them off the platter. Just seems to be a superior mat in general (I also have a leather mat - not as good as Herbie's)
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