KTS Acoustic Interface Pad Theory
Adhering to the KTS principle concept "every part of an audio chain contributes to overall operation, acoustical performance, and owner satisfaction", not enough principle is applied to "acoustic interface".
Often, the acoustic interface is neglected. Completing and contributing to the "audio chain", the AIP can be applied for many conditions. The audio chain includes, room acoustics, component or sound reproduction (electronics) which includes amplifiers, receivers, sound processors, speaker wires, and loudspeakers or transducers. This complete "environment" and "set up" is a system. The "system" consists of an audio chain.
Audiophiles must analyze the physics of an audio system and consider the effects room acoustics have on overall system performance. Room acoustics consists of all physical objects connected in the "audio chain" that can color or distort the sound waves from the Loudspeakers. We must refine the requirements for audio system performance and perfection.
Ideal conditions would be to have no mechanical (acoustical) energy in the form of standing waves (sound waves that collide) interfering with the sound waves from the loudspeakers intended for the listeners ears. Large corporations construct very effective anechoic chambers designed to absorb almost all initial sound waves without any echo or reverberation. This, however is impractical for most audiophiles. Very bad conditions would be to have highly reflective, hard non absorbent surface materials (such as tile, glass, or concrete) in a listening room or studio. This creates large numbers of standing waves with all frequencies contributing to destructive distortion.
KTS introduces a different line of materials ideal for coupling speaker enclosures to their supports, eliminating virtually all vibrations from enclosures and isolating the speaker from room or support vibrations. Certain loudspeaker enclosure and surrounding mediums can cause vibrations that produce "muddy" and "tinny" sound.
Application Design
KTS Acoustic Interface Pads (AIPs) are designed for speaker stand applications along with general supporting surfaces and are normally placed between the speaker cabinet /enclosure and the top plate of the speaker stand. Certain AIPs allow just about any type of speaker or monitor to be coupled to any surface without destruction.
Briefly, KTS Acoustic Interface Pads are designed to dampen and absorb distortion vibration energy. Manufactured for use on and between object surfaces, they are highly effective in reducing and isolating distortion vibration while simultaneously providing the security of adhesive, creating solid coupling between surfaces.
Aerospace and automotive industries have always pioneered the development and technology of devices and systems for use in automobiles, aircraft, and space ....almost always for their own particular application and usage. Such as the case with advanced polymers.
The involvement of KTS engineers with these industries throughout the years has led to the insight of applying these various types of polymers to the high-end audio industry.
The molecular properties of the interface pads offered by KTS are ideally suitable for audio applications. The overall effect of damping and deadening vibration energy, isolating object surfaces from direct energy transmission, and providing solid coupling lead to improved sound and better/safer stability of components.
How it Works
The first law of thermodynamics is the conservation of energy statement. When energy is transferred from one region (A) to another (B) or changes form within a certain region (C), the total quantity of energy is constant. This law also applies to acoustic or mechanical energy.
Ideally, when analyzing speaker enclosures and connected surfaces and supports, all energy (in the form of vibration) should be inhibited from transferring to the surrounding medium. Unwanted acoustic energy with frequencies in the human hearing range if left untreated appear as noise distortion which can color sound.
KTS offers a new line of interface pads specifically developed to address several problems with interfacing speakers with their surrounding applications.
KTS AIPs absorb energy, acoustically isolate surfaces, and provide solid coupling from speaker to support. AIPs absorb energy from surfaces and structures by transforming energy that strikes the AIP into heat.
KTS AIPs isolate surfaces by creating a energy converting barrier that minimizes energy transfer.
KTS AIPs provide varying levels of coupling between surfaces by creating a strong bond utilizing liquid and gel-like characteristics of some AIPs.