Table of Contents
Introduction
When you get studio monitors you have wished for long, the net concern is the production of as good sound as possible. To unleash the potential of your studio monitors, you need to get them the best monitor isolation pads. There are various types of monitor isolation pads, such as pads, stands, and cones. All of these offer pristine audio quality when attached to studio monitors, as per your requirements.
Monitor Isolation Pads – Things You Should Know
These isolation pads are a kind of device built to develop a sonic separation between your studio monitors and the surface you have placed them on, say a wooden table. When you produce sounds with your monitors, the vibrations between surface and monitors often result in low quality and distorted sounds. To overcome this issue, monitor isolation pads are used. So achieving complete isolation is the main advantage of monitor isolation pads.
Another thing that monitor isolation pads help with is recoil stabilization. It improves your monitoring quality by aligning your acoustic environment and what you intend to produce off your monitor closely.
The best thing about monitor isolation pads is that they improve the sound over the entire frequency range. However, you are going to notice quick improvements in the bass and mid-range region of the frequency range. This is mainly attributed to the size of wavelengths in these regions, as well as how it affects the vibrations propagating through different kinds of materials.
Monitor isolation pads are also known as decoupling pads.
Auralex Mopad Review – Features
Auralex Mopad is one of the top-notch monitor isolation pads. It has come as a great solution to isolation issues, for all the different small and big speakers. These isolation pads provide a flat surface, or when needed, they can be tilted at 4 or 8 degrees with the help of its built-in foam wedges.
All-in-one fit
Whether you have high stands or low desk surfaces, these Auralex Mopad is an all-in-one fit option. Every other monitor isolation pads on the market have been built inspired by Auralex Mopad. It would not be wrong to call Auralex Mopad as one and best of its kind, though.
Dimensions
Auralex Mopad is 12 inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 2 inches in thickness. Auralex Mopad comes in a packing of four pads, which are good enough for two studio monitors of any size. With two pads placed under each monitor reaching out to surface, make sure you leave a gap between them.
Overall, Auralex Mopad is one most desired monitor isolation pads out there coming at a reasonable price. You will not be disappointed getting these for your studio monitors.
The
The is a complete package out there if you are looking to buy a pair of studio monitor along with a stand, Auralex Mopads, and Mogami cables. Following is a brief description of what comes with Yamaha HS8:
Studio Monitor Pair
The studio monitor pair included in Yamaha HS8 is a two-way bass-reflex bi-amplified studio monitor. Each has 8” cone woofer and 1” dome tweeter. With an excellent frequency response of 38 Hz to 30 kHz, you get controlled acoustic performance.
Mogami TRS-XLR Cable
This 10’ cable is the fittest for Yamaha studio monitors as you get the neutral tone and complete noise rejection. These cables are made to offer excellent sonic clarity with a silent background.
On-Stage Stands SMS6000 (pair)
With the weight capacity of 90 lbs., the On-Stage pair of Stands has a 9.5” square platform. Each comes with a 1mm thick non-slip pad to maintain the weight. These further offer height adjustments and weight spread.
Auralex Mopad
Here comes the most critical part of the package. With all the great features of Auralex Mopad mentioned above, these monitor isolation pads genuinely add to the quality of this entire package when set together. With adjustable angles and positions, you are going to get definite high-end acoustic performance, as you desire.
Auralex Mopad vs IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R155 Stand
While Auralex Mopad is a pad-form monitor isolation device, IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R155 is a stand-form monitor isolation device. The two are differentiable in the shape, style, dimensions, and price but have the same purpose: noise isolation.
When it comes to feature comparison between Auralex Mopad and IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R155, the two differ based on user experience and the features that came forward due to differences in shape, style, and size. The following feature comparison makes it clear.
Sound Accuracy and Stereo Imaging
Both Auralex Mopad and IsoAcoustics stand have to offer excellent sound accuracy and stereo imaging. However, when it comes to a better acoustic response, IsoAcoustics provide improved acoustic performance. The credit goes to the absorption pads present on the bottom resulting in isolation between the stand and the surface as well as between the stand and your monitors.
Bass Response
Both Auralex Mopad and IsoAcoustics offer a great bass response because of noise isolation, but IsoAcoustics stand provides a tighter bass response due to enhanced sound accuracy; it is built to deliver.
Absorption and Resistance
Auralex Mopad is known to offer high-end absorption and vibration resistance, but when we observed the isolators, the parts on the top and base where poles mount into, of the IsoAcoustics stand, greater isolation absorption, and oscillation resistance is witnessed.
Height Adjustment
While Auralex Mopad is great at offering all of the features mentioned above, one area it lacks in is height adjustment. IsoAcoustics isolation stand can be adjusted by switching between shorter and longer poles accordingly. The shortest height that can be achieved is 3.7,” and the tallest height IsoAcoustics stand offers is 8.75”.
Depending on the space you have, you can adjust your studio monitors the way you want to.
Weight Capacity
When it comes to weight capacity, each stand can support up to 30 lbs. whereas Auralex foam pads can hold up to 100 lbs. of weight. So if you have heavier monitors, Auralex Mopad is a better option than IsoAcoustics stand.
Pros
- Great noise isolation pads to enhance your acoustic experience.
- If you want a better bass response than what is produced otherwise, Auralex Mopad is one of its kind noise isolation foam pads.
- When pad-form monitor isolation devices are concerned, Auralex Mopads is the best option.
- Auralex Mopads offers 100 lbs. of weight capacity.
Cons
- Does provide angle adjustment and tilt but fails to offer height adjustment.
Top 3 Alternatives to Auralex Mopad
Auralex Acoustics ProPad Monitor Isolation Pads
Auralex Acoustics ProPad comes as a number 1 alternative to Auralex Mopad. With these monitor isolation pads, you can get the most out of your studio monitors. These come with wedge foams for better angling and flexible application.
Also, these improve audio accuracy by discoloring the overall frequency response. What makes Auralex Acoustics ProPad a great option is its ISO-Plate, which is not only slip-resistant but a high-end isolator as well. Overall, these are topnotch isolation pads for any monitor.
Adam Hall Pad ECO Series Monitor Isolation Pads
Adam Hall Pads come with a unique design and are made of high-density acoustic foam. These are designed to offer acoustic isolation and avoid poor resonances that distort the quality of sound.
Its two-component design allows you to place these horizontally as well as at two different angles. They come with a high weight capacity of around 100 lbs. and can hold larger studio monitors as well. Overall, these make great Auralex Mopad alternatives.
XL-Pro Studio Monitor Isolation Pads
If you are looking for the best-selling monitor isolation pads, XL-Pro Studio is the perfect option. These isolation pads are made from top-quality acoustic foam and are pro at noise isolation resulting in tighter bass response and improved acoustic performance.
Also, these can be placed in 5 different angles, whatever suits best to your monitor’s directionality. These are sized to fit all the common dimensions of the speakers. However, you need to note that these isolation pads can only hold up to 20 lbs. and so, they are not suitable for large monitors.
Overall, these are a good, cost-effective Auralex Mopad alternative if you have smaller studio monitors.
Final Words
No matter whether you choose isolation pads or isolation stands for decoupling, it enhances your listening and mixing experience largely. You will not only get a tighter bass response but stereo stabilization and crisper mids and highs too. So if you are looking for a perfect solution to end rogue vibrations that distort the sound and your performance, Auralex Mopad makes a great option.
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