Monitor isolator pad things

[thebigcheese]

Are those isolator pads basically just foam that keeps your monitors from vibrating whatever surface they are sitting on? In which case, could I basically just cut up a mattress pad and put my monitors on those? Obviously, the fancy pads are probably a stiffer material, but is there really going to be much difference?

[Aidan]

I don't actually own any, but they definitely make a difference.

I'm using some small speaker stands for my monitors, and getting them up off the desk makes a massive difference in clarity. Or at least, it did for me. If you put your ear to the desk while listening to something, you can hear how much low frequency energy is resonating through the desk. Once I got the speakers onto stands, there was no sound coming from the desk. I assume that Mo-pads would do this too...

[stainless]

I bought some bulk mouse pad material from a company I found on-line (googled- 1st or second hit) and used it on the top and bottom of the monitor stands I made (MDF filled with sand)- Aurelex foam  was too thick and the monitors (nor the stands) seemed a bit to wobbly/wiggly to trust.

Before using it I would get this low-mid freq at medium to higher volumes which I think was  from the coupling between the monitors down through the workstation/desktop (which of course I'd try to EQ out...) - so I'd say it was definitely worth it. I'd thought about just using mouse pads, but they weren't quite the right size, and the amount I bought (I think it was a yard) allowed me to cover the entire area under my keyboard so I have a very large "mousepad" to work with.  It cost me just over $30 with UPS

someone mentioned on one of the forums that wetsuit material was very similar

[RawDepth]

...someone mentioned on one of the forums that wetsuit material was very similar

I think that stuff is called Neoprene and I understand it is very expensive. That mouse pad rubber (or open cell rubber) is probably far cheaper.

Good call, though. I am glad it worked out for you.

[thebigcheese]

The monitors I have now have something mouse paddish on the bottom of them--normally things just come with little rubber feet to keep them in place, but this is a big foam/rubber pad thing. I think they probably still need a little more, though, so I might look into using mouse pads. Thanks for the hint!

[Supercreep]

Neoprene is used for mousepads and wetsuits and all sorts of stuff.  It comes in various thicknesses and densities. 

The Auralex "mopad" things are just foam cutouts.  They look sharp and probably do isolate your monitors somewhat.  I would think a few kitchen sponges would do the same thing, really. 

Neoprene pucks can be used to float monitors, and since they have less surface area I imagine they'd probably work a little better than a more lightweight foam like Auralex.