Watch the OREA Series Overview video on the IsoAcoustics YouTube channel!
Video Description
The award-winning OREA series provide a high degree of isolation for audio components, turntables and speakers. Made of machined stainless steel, these isolators have a low-profile design to minimize any increase in height. The OREA series eliminates parasitic vibrations and provides greater sound clarity and focus.
Each OREA model is designed with a different weight capacity. They each have a colored ring on the bottom isolator that denotes the model and weight capacity. The OREA series are packaged individually to allow greater flexibility when determining the number of units to use. We recommend a minimum of 3 units under each component, depending on weight.
Transcript Video
Paul Morrison: I’m Paul from IsoAcoustics and we are here to talk about OREA isolators. OREA’s designed to provide a high degree of isolation for Audio components, turntables and speakers.
Component vibrations are caused by internal electronics, like transformers, relays and motors. They are also caused by external sources that are conducted through the supporting surface. You can imagine how a turntable would be particularly sensitive to vibrations. The stylus navigating the tiny grooves is a delicate process that is very sensitive to vibrations. Tube amps can also be very susceptible to vibrations. These vibrations cause the distance between the charged elements in the tube amplifiers to change, resulting in amplified distortions. Preamps are another component that benefits greatly from isolation because even small issues can make a big difference when they are amplified later in the chain. CD players, Streamers, DAC’s… vibrations can have an impact on all components. By using the OREA’s to manage vibrations, you will reveal greater clarity and detail.
Isolating speakers and subwoofers makes an incredible difference to your system. The OREA’s are an excellent low profile solution for stand mounted speakers. Isolating the speaker prevents vibrations from resonating through the supporting surface, creating anomalies in the listening area, annoying your neighbors and affecting your other components. Vibrations are also conducted back off the supporting surface. Isolation will mitigate these reflections to eliminate smear and reveal greater clarity and openness.
Patented Technology
OREA’s are made with machined Stainless steel housing and low profile design to minimize any increase in height. The OREA’s consist of a top isolator, bottom isolator and connector. The way they work is a function of how the 3 parts work together. It is a result of the shape, material characteristics and durometer. By creating multiple points of contact within the housing, we create a high degree of isolation. The upper flange is designed to adhere to the underside of the component, while the lower flange adheres to the supporting surface. The flange will create a suction cup effect on smooth surfaces or will have a strong friction grip on textured surfaces to create a strong connection. As a result, all the energy is managed within the core of the OREA’s, which are tuned to work within specific weight ranges.
Choosing the Right OREA Model
We recommend choosing the OREA model based on the weight of the speaker or component that they will be supporting. The smallest model is the OREA Graphite. It has a weight capacity of 4 lbs per isolator. The next size is the OREA Bronze. It has a weight capacity of 8 lbs per isolator. The OREA Indigo has a weight capacity of 16 pounds each. And our largest model, the OREA Bordeaux, has a weight capacity of 32 lbs each.
The weight limits are set based on the performance curves. The Bronze, for example, has a weight capacity of 8 lbs per isolator and works best when supporting between 4 to 8 lbs per isolator. We recommend using 3 or 4 isolators per speaker or component. 3 is the minimum number of units simply because the component or speaker will not balance on 2 units. The listed weight limits are based on each unit, so you need to multiply the weight capacity per unit by the number of units. The Bronze for example has a weight capacity of 8 pounds per unit, so it has a weight capacity of 24 lbs when using 3 units, or 32 lbs when using 4 pounds per unit.
The choice between using 3 or 4 models can often come down to the weight distribution of the speaker or component. If the weight is more evenly distributed, then 4 units is a good choice. If for example the unit is much heavier at the back, then the weight will be more evenly distributed over the isolators using 2 units at the back and 1 at the front.
We recommend checking the online calculator on our website to see which product we recommend for your speaker or component.
How to Install the OREA’s
Setting up the OREA’s is easy. When used with speakers, it is important to position the OREA’s with the IsoAcoustics logo facing forward, in line with the speakers drivers. The isolators are directional. When they are aligned with the speakers drivers, it keeps the energy on axis and prevents the speaker from oscillating. This will provide better focus. If you prefer a clean look without the logo visible, the OREA’s can be turned 180 degrees backwards and they will work the same way.
When using the OREA’s on turntables and other electronic components, the orientation of the logo will have no impact on the performance. You can face them forward or turn them sideways, it will work the same way.
Ideally, the OREA’s should be positioned directly against the bottom chassis of the component or speaker. The existing feet can be removed, or position the OREA’s around the existing feet.
The OREA’s can be positioned underneath the existing feet if it cannot be avoided, but it is best if the weight is distributed over the entire top surface of the OREA. It is not ideal if the weight is concentrated on the center of the isolator.
The isolators are very resilient. They will not change properties and dry out over time. They will not leave any marks on the bottom of your components or on the supporting surface. Many components can generate a lot of heat when they are running. We are often asked if this will damage the OREA’s or affect their performance. The heat from your components will not hurt the OREA’s or alter their performance.
Thanks for watching. We hope you found this video to be informative and we hope you have the opportunity to try the OREA’s for yourself.. and discover what you’ve been missing.
