Audio Sensibility Grounding Devices

The information on this web page is found in the Grounding Device Instruction Manual which is included with each set of grounding devices that we sell.

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Rick Becker of Enjoy The Music does a mini review of the Statement Loudspeaker and Component Grounding Devices in a A Hannu-Christma-Boxer-Kwanzaa Story: Mini reviews of powerful gift ideas. .

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Summary

Audio Sensibility Grounding Devices are designed to expand the music soundstage and allow better presentation of low level detail. These devices are made from ultra-pure fine Litz wire and contain no active components (resistors, capacitors, or other circuits).

Testament Grounding Devices provide great performance at a rock-bottom price.
Statement Grounding Devices add high quality silver to the construction and provide state-of-the-art performance.

Audio Sensibility grounding devices are available for loudspeakers and for audio components.

Loudspeakers

The devices plug into the negative (black) binding posts on the loudspeaker or amplifier end. The effect is stronger when connected on the loudspeaker end versus the amplifier end. Try both ends to determine which ultimately sounds the best.

A single pair of the devices is required for loudspeakers with a single set of binding posts, or bi-wire loudspeakers (which are using jumpers between LF and HF). This is the same whether connecting to the loudspeaker or amplifier end.

For bi-wired loudspeakers:

Two pairs of the devices are required if connecting on the loudspeaker end.
One pair of the devices are required if connecting on the amplifier end.

The devices come in the following termination styles:

Banana Plug (gold-plated copper - Testament) – used with spade or stackable banana plug terminated loudspeaker cables.
Spade (gold-plated copper – Testament) – used with banana plug based loudspeaker cables.
Bare 18AWG wire (OCC copper - Testament, OCC silver - Statement (Recommended!)) – use for maximum performance. Can be used in all applications, e.g. banana plug, spade, and other situations, e.g. connecting to terminal strips. See Bare-Wire Application Notes for further details.

Class D Amplifiers with Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)

Class D amplifiers use Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS). Do not use the loudspeaker grounding devices in this application.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/102180-groundside-electrons-41.html#post2417888

Audio Components

A single device is required per component and plugs into any unused analog input or output. The device only makes contact with the ground connection and does not short the input/output. Do not plug the device into video or digital inputs or outputs.

& The devices come in the following termination styles:

RCA cap (gold-plated copper – Statement) – plug into an unused RCA analog input or output.
Plastic RCA cap (OCC Silver – Statement) – plug into an unused RCA analog input or output (Recommended!).
Bare 18AWG wire (OCC copper - Testament, OCC silver - Statement). Can use for occupied RCA analog input or output.
Female and Male XLR (gold-plated copper - Statement).

Digital Inputs and Outputs

Do not plug the device into video or digital inputs or outputs of a component.

How Do They Work?

The Audio Sensibility Grounding Devices act as a sink to absorb excess negative charge in the component ground plane. For more explanation go here.

The effect of the loudspeaker and component grounding devices will depend on the state of the ground plane in your components. The following diagram shows the effect and why the Grounding Devices do not provide an improvement 100% of the time.

Why Try Them?

In high performance audio we are always looking for the 'low hanging fruit to pick'. Things we can do to fine tune the performance of our system without spending large sums of money.

On systems where the ground plane is not properly balanced, the Grounding Devices can make a significant improvement in system performance. Unlike many other tweaks, the Grounding Devices take seconds to install/uninstall. You will very quickly determine their effect on the system and can do this without tearing your system apart. Like any tweak, results are system dependent, but we typically find a 90% success rate with customers. To encourage you to try the devices, we offer a 45 day money-back guarantee.

General Advice

Start with a set of devices for your loudspeakers. If you are happy with the results you can try the devices on audio components, typically CD players or preamplifiers.

If you are already using a grounding device such as the Acoustic Revive RGC-24 Ground Conditioner (MSRP $800.00) you may find little additional benefit by adding the ground devices.

The back of this instruction sheet shows typical examples of Ground Device usage. By looking at the pictures you will get a clear idea of how to connect the devices.

Some people find that securing the devices (when connected to loudspeakers) to reduce vibration is useful. A piece of cotton string is provided with each device if you would like to test the effect.

Origin of the Devices

The Groundside Electrons diyAudio discussion thread started in May 207 describes the construction and effects of these devices. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/102180-groundside-electrons.html

Bud Purvine, an experienced audio professional and DIY evangelist, is considered to be the definitive expert on the devices.

The performance of the devices will vary widely depending on the materials used, manufacturing approach, and skill of assembly. We believe that our implementation of these devices provide both exceptional performance and value.

There are a number of other commercial implementations of these devices including: Audio Prism Ground Controls and EVS Ground Enhancers

Grounding Devices - Price

Note: Audio Sensibility Grounding Devices come with a 45 day money-back guarantee*.

* For returns on the Testament and Statement bare-wire loudspeaker grounding devices, the wire termination needs to be in reasonable shape, i.e. no kinks in the wire. For initial evaluation, use the wire in straight (not bent) configuration. Once you are satisfied with the performance, you may bend the wire as desired for the best fit in your application.