AudioQuest Big Feet
 You're probably thinking that
there's not a lot to say about a product like this. And you're right -- even I would find
it difficult to go on and on about four gel-like hemispheres of energy-damping polymer.
But don't sell this product short: If you watch DVDs and want a clearer, higher-definition
picture, these little boogers can give it to you for less than $70.
I thought that might get your attention.
Whole lot of shakin' goin' on
Sorbothane is a proprietary visco-elastic polymer, which
offers shock absorption, vibration isolation, and vibration damping. (Visco-elastic means
it combines the properties of a fluid and a solid -- like Jello.) It has been used in
audio applications since the mid-'80s.
Sorbogel is a newer form of Sorbothane, one that is even
more viscous (fluid-like) than the original, and it is said to be far better at damping
vibrations and resonance. Sorbogel works because of its jiggly nature -- vibrations set
its viscous molecules jiggling and that kinetic energy is converted to heat. Obviously, if
you compress Sorbogel, it becomes less like Jello and more like rubber -- which has a
major impact on its ability to function as a vibration damper. That's why AudioQuest makes
two models: the Big Feet, which can handle up to eight pounds each; and the Little Feet,
which max out at five pounds per foot. Even though the feet are sold in sets of four,
there's no reason why you can't use five, six, or even more for components that weigh more
than 36 pounds.
Shaking shakin' shakes
As a reviewer, I tend to have lots of accessories around
the house. Some, like the Black Diamond Racing carbon-fiber shelves and pads, I use
religiously; others I use only as the whim moves me. I’ve had several pairs of the
AudioQuest Big Feet around the house for ages. I have used them under CD players and in
conjunction with the Black Diamond Racing shelves, but they were just sitting around doing
nothing the last time I rearranged my A/V system. So I did what any audiophile would do: I
stuck 'em under the first component that came to hand, in my case, the Kenwood Sovereign DV-5700 DVD
player.
I didn't actually change anything in the video path, I
simply re-organized the system's placement -- and shoved those Sorbogel domes under the
player. Imagine my surprise when my video image became sharper and possessed deeper,
richer colors! It wasn't subtle, either -- my first response was wow!
My second response was to remove the Big Feet from under
the Kenwood, as a reality-check. That was disappointing; I lost the newfound clarity and
richness. I re-inserted them and voila!, it returned.
Naturally, I had to try the tweak with the other DVD
players around the house, an Arcam DV88 and a Pioneer DV-354K. It worked wonders with the
Pioneer and rang a less glaring, but still quite noticeable, change upon the Arcam.
The superb anime feature Grave of the Fireflies
is Japanamation at its finest. The cels are drawn with great detail, especially the
backgrounds depicting nature's glory in the midst of a brutal war. The draftsmanship is
sharp and clear and the colors are lovely, but putting the Big Feet under the DVD player
seemed to snap everything into sharper focus. Even better, colors were richer -- not so
much brighter or more vivid, but deeper and more solid seeming.
Even better, it was a change that didn't have a trade-off.
The clarity and color depth did not cause ringing or the sort of hyped-up sharpness that
digital compensation carries with it; things just looked more solid and true. It's
possible you won't react to the difference as I did, I suppose, but I find it hard to
imagine.
But the fruit that can fall without shaking, indeed is
too mellow for me
No, it wasn't day and night, and no, I'm not going to
describe minute differences with and without the feet DVD by DVD. Placing the AudioQuest
Sorbogel feet under DVD players made a consistent and noticeable difference in the video
sharpness and color -- and they're inexpensive, almost cheap. If high-end home theater has
such a thing as an impulse purchase, these babies are it.
...Wes Phillips
wes@onhometheater.com
AudioQuest Big Feet
Price: $69.95 USD for a set of four (Little Feet are $49.95 for a set of four).
AudioQuest
8710 Research Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 585-0111
Fax: (949) 585-0333
E-mail: customerservice@audioquest.com
Website: www.audioquest.com
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