What can be devices for controlling resonances: Example of the Cold Ray brand

In the 37th issue of the Sound podcast, Timofey Shikolenkov is again with us, director of marketing and business development in Audiomania . We are discussing devices to control resonances on the example of the brand Cold Ray. Photo by Brad Higham / CC [ Listen to this issue ]







Alina: Today we are talking about the brand Cold Ray. Let's start with what it produces. In short, this is a brand that provides solutions for controlling resonances. But for people who are not very close to acoustics, this does not mean anything. So what does Cold Ray produce? What is produced under this brand?

Timofey: It all started with resonances. These are the first steps. This description is still left [on Audiomania's website]. In general, it is correct. Initially, the brand belonged to Lars Christensen, marketing director of Nordost [Corporation], a well-known accessory manufacturing company and a fairly expensive cable product.

They went their own way, and Lars went his own way; he didn’t need this brand. They agreed with Artem Fairmark that the brand is passing to us. The conditions and agreements are unusual and cunning, I don’t remember whether Artem spoke about this somewhere publicly or not, but I will not be in case. Who cares, can try to search about it. In my opinion, they told about this to some kind of magazine. Very funny story.

Alina: Intrigue!

Timofey: True, the story is not typical for business, they are usually not published in business magazines. Anyway, the brand came under our control, we reformatted the product matrix itself and made a real boxed product out of it. Qualitative. There were many nuances. To some extent, it was not a brand, but simply the name of the product.

These were antiresonance cones, on which equipment is placed, in order to untie it from the surface on which it stands. So it was originally. And of all the accessories, "improvers", as we call them, this is perhaps the most effective.

There are many of them, but if there is nothing to control the resonances, it is worth trying first. Moreover, in Audiomania they can be taken to try absolutely free. Leave a deposit, take, bet, listen, make a decision, like it or not.


Cone Cold Ray 3 Ceramic in Titanium color (cones are available in 7 different colors)

Alina: What does resonance control give? What does this unleash give?

Timofey: If it is simple, it adds about 25% of the budget value of the equipment to the sound. Roughly speaking, the equipment starts to sound like more expensive. More expensive equipment, of course, [sounds] even better. Bass becomes neat, changing the high frequency range.

Of course, it seems a bit of shamanism, smacks of audiophilia, but it is enough to try once. Here you can express any opinion, especially when it’s just not in the topic what it is. From the point of view of "physics of the fourth grade of high school" it is very difficult to explain this.

Anyway, this thing is very effective. If the nuances are interesting, we can invite engineers, they will tell from a technical point of view. I am not so savvy to talk about it. But the point is to completely untie the equipment with the surface on which it stands and eliminate the resonance.

And resonances occur in any transformer. Even if we have a power amplifier, it certainly has a transformer or several transformers. If you correctly place these cones under the equipment, you will hear a serious difference in sound. This is where the brand began.

Now it is, to a lesser extent, connectors, we do not strongly promote them, these are acoustic racks that are great for Arslab and Penaudio, there are low ones that are suitable for large Old School, there are hardware racks.

Naturally, all this is done according to the same canons. The equipment is not just knocked-out boards. Recently, we received an offer of the form: "We are cabinet-makers, we make of solid pine or oak." People do not understand what the main task in the production of racks for high-quality technology. They should also help to unleash the equipment from what it is worth. It helps a lot [to improve the sound quality]. Acoustic and instrumental racks also contribute to this.


Rack for acoustics Cold Ray C3

Alina: If no wires are connected to this device, it will not be plugged into the outlet, this does not mean that there is no specific technology in place to improve the sound quality.

Timofey: Exactly. There are active devices to improve the sound, there are some, one might say, passive, to which nothing is connected.

Alina: It turns out that now Cold Ray produces these very cones, stands ...

Timothy: Stands for spikes is also a separate story, I did not tell about it. This, as people say, Pyataks, who put spikes under the spikes ... It is worth saying that the speaker systems come with spikes.

And this device was also created to unleash the acoustics of the surface on which it stands. The same resonances begin to be transmitted, everything starts to “play”. It is harmful. Therefore, the spikes are definitely there. If the acoustics in the kit do not have spikes, do not buy it. Most likely, this is a cheap disgrace.

Alina: Another indicator of expensive acoustics, quality?

Timofey: No, the producer simply thought that such problems would arise. On any acoustics such problems arise. When I see the speakers, standing on someone on the table without any coasters, I am surprised that a person does not hear that his table is “playing”.

In addition, the surfaces are different: someone has a dense carpet, it's not scary there, you can put spikes right on it. Basically [putting acoustics with spikes on the surface] is scary, and these stands are needed.

Stands are different. At Cold Ray, they are very comfortable. There are no difficulties to put [on them acoustics]. When the column is heavy, do not just slip 5 kopeks under it: it starts to crawl, move out. This stand will never run away anywhere, it stands well, tightly.

There are versions for different weights, because the columns are very heavy. And not only the speakers, racks can be put on these stands, and there can be a lot of equipment on the racks. Well, again, additional control of the resonance due to their shape. Despite the fact that it would seem such a simple thing, it, made correctly and conveniently, has become another cool product.


Stands for spike Cold Ray Spike Protector 2 in Silver color (included 4 pcs.)

Alina: It explains why, for example, the site Audiomanii, if you look brand Cold Ray, there are a lot of different stands. Although it would seem that this is something really simple and understandable, why should there be a lot of it and in different versions?

Timofey: Colors are still important. We want the product not only functionally useful and convenient, it also has to be visually combined with everything else. The coasters are not very tiny, they are visible, and therefore colors play a role. Therefore, it turns out, 3 sizes, several colors - there are already quite a large number of such podsovechek. The same, by the way, with cones. Cones come in different colors, but not sizes. He has one size, it is enough.

Alina: After the brand has grown into something completely new and unique, what place does it take among other companies working with something similar? Are there any other brands that make such products?

Timofey: "Improvers" on the market a lot. To say that there is some absolutely clear leader in this market, I am afraid, it is impossible. In Russia, as always, the budget issue begins to play, so there is no such statistics and research.

The market is not very large, in general, everything is distributed over certain niches: there are more expensive devices, there are absolutely audiophile, strange ones. It's my opinion. Why? Because I do not understand why they are needed. This does not mean that it is a bad device. But I did not understand, I probably will not buy it.

Then a moment arises: our consumer needs to explain what it is and, more importantly, how it works. In Europe and America, this is less relevant; a person understands what the device is intended for and what it should do. He bought, set, the device works. This question is closed.

In Russia, this will not work. In Russia it is necessary to explain. People are just not ready, first, to take their word for it, and second, they need to explain how it works. The next stage is a demonstration. I heard, I understood, now I am ready to try. That is why we give it a try.

Alina: That is why in Audiomania you can take, listen, feel whether there is a difference. If you do not feel the difference, perhaps you do not need it.

Timofey:There is an apparatus that is very well made in terms of controlling resonances, in terms of decoupling the body itself with the surface. There are brands that do it very competently, and the influence of Cold Ray cobs and cones is minimal.

There is nothing terrible in it; on the contrary, it is good. That is, the manufacturer really took care of it. Nice, cool, great. In fact, there is influence, it is simply not as pronounced as when used with other brands.

There were cases when a person took these cones to listen, set, listened for several days, and then called and said that he would bring the next day. And does not bring. In the order mark that he must return. The seller sees this note, calls back, asks what happened when the person is going to come. Such visits are always planned, because it is necessary to set aside money to return the deposit.

And the person says that he removed the cones, turned them on, and something was not right, was not ready to return them, put everything back. This is the format of tests we usually offer. A person must bring, deliver, turn on, listen, get used to this sound, and then remove and understand what he lost. This is the perfect option.

The same goes for testing any “improvers." This is the best format. When a person is already accustomed to sound, there may not be a wild difference in sound, however, it is quite significant, and heard. Further, of course, shamanism begins with the movement of cones, because how they are placed under the equipment depends on how much we have guessed with the point at which the cone should stand.

Alina: But about the points and about the specific number of cones under one or another type of equipment: do we need to call the installer in order to make the best use of the cones and all these "improvements"?

Timofey:I think every person is able to do it on their own. No installer is needed for this. It is enough just to read the instructions that are on the site and complete with the cones themselves.

It is necessary to find the key, heavy (if it is the power amplifier) ​​points, put under them. As a rule, three cones should be enough. In rare cases, there may be four or five, but this, it seems to me, is overkill. Best of all, of course, put under the amplifier and receivers separately.

About disk devices now we are not talking. Probably about them and do not need to say anything, they will soon go to the museum. Although Blu-ray discs are still being sold, people still have CD collections, there are very good players. But, nevertheless, the world is gradually reduced to a story without carriers. We talked about this a lot too. Everything is moving in this direction, there is no way back, except for vinyl, of course.

Alina: From the moment we talked about this, little has changed in this direction. The trend is only increasing.

Timofey: Yes.

Alina: Just a few words about the installation: is it possible to install the cones incorrectly, so as not to feel the difference?

Timofey:Sure you may. If, for example, the corners are stretched, the difference will be less noticeable. We must be attentive to how to properly install the cones. This is not the case when anyhow I put it, and it works. Unfortunately not.

Alina: This is exactly to the question that it really really works from the point of view of physics, no matter which class. Not just “put it nearby, and the water was charged,” the music went different.

Timofey:This is not the case. Of course, there are people who consider all this shamanism and audiophilia. The problem of such people is that they are not ready to learn new things. When you meet with such a person in any forum or intersect in the comments on the social network, you say to the person: “Well, try it! These are new impressions. ” But he is so stubborn in his direction that he is absolutely not ready to move from his place.

And he, rather, is even afraid that he might be wrong. This fear moves him backwards. He is not ready to be enlightened, to learn something interesting, useful, new. He locked himself at some level and did not want to move anywhere. Although, in my opinion, man is a creature who should never stop in one place, but should strive forward, strive for perfection.


A set of small stands for the spikes of Cold Ray Spike Protector 3 Small (8 pcs included)

Alina: We said that it was easier for Europeans, Americans, to buy “enhancers” because they understand that “that's the way it is”, suppose ...

Timothy: No not this way. They are very much protected, especially by the Americans. An American can calmly buy any piece of hardware, if they promise him something concrete. If, God forbid, he was deceived, the consequences for the company that did it would be disastrous.

There will be a lawsuit, and to sue in America is very expensive. If fact is revealed, it will be a public story, the company "Khan". If in Russia it is possible to do something in a similar way - a dozen to deceive, and only the eleventh will sue, then in the US this will not work.

Alina: One lawsuit can cost companies a business.

Timofey: It’s absolutely impossible to promise something that in fact doesn’t happen. Therefore, there people understand that they are protected, they can easily buy a product, about the functions of which they were told. They buy, set, hear. Everything should be very neat with statements, with promises. And this is, in fact, correct. First of all, it is good for business. It is not necessary for a person to tell two hours how it works so that he would believe me.

Alina:By default, a person will believe.

Timofey: Because he understands that he is 100% protected.

Alina: In this regard, an uncomfortable question: Is Cold Ray sold in America?

Timofey: Naturally. This product was originally oriented to the western market. Nordost is an American company. The product was on the market before it became part of Audiomania.

Alina: I also wanted to know about the sales geography of Cold Ray. What markets is the brand targeted at? Does he have any specific geography?

Timofey: There is no specific geography. If we are talking about cones, this is quite a typical thing. The equipment problems are the same everywhere. As for the cones and stands, there is no specific geography.

The only thing in different regions is different color preferences. This is normal. Asia is particularly different. America is naturally different. Europe is closer to America. Russia is very different from everything. But the country is big, and if you look in the regions, the regions that are geographically closer to Asia, closer to Asia and in color preferences. In general, there are no other major differences.

Alina: And audio furniture?

Timofey: All the same. Everyone needs a rack to put the equipment. Only the colors change.


Additional shelf Cold Ray Level 180 is made in 8 colors.

Alina: Probably, there are preferences regarding the choice of veneer, wood?

Timofey: Yes, I called it color preferences. In fact, what kind of tree is not important. It is important how it looks in color and texture. Such preferences are grouped by region.

Alina: What plans does Cold Ray have for further development? Are there any new niches that the brand wants, or some areas to improve what is?

Timofey:Cold Ray has very specific goals. For now we are planning to develop the directions that we have taken: "improvers", counters. Racks appeared relatively recently. It so happened that, in our opinion, there are no good, classy racks on the market.

Therefore, on the one hand, the stands became a logical continuation of the story with supports and antiresonant devices, and, on the other hand, the solution of a specific business problem. The search for an adequate supplier of competent racks was stumped, and we decided to make them ourselves. Moreover, in general, nothing complicated.

It is clear that there are certain problems, but, firstly, we understand what we need, secondly, we have German woodworking equipment, thirdly, we know what elements we cannot manufacture ourselves and therefore need to order them somewhere on the side. Next was a rather lengthy design issue. Somehow it all happened, and it turned out very cool product.