Minimizes distortion, increases everything better resolution, dynamics soundstage, deeper bass, extended highs, detailed mids etc. For me, MK3 worked well with Cd player and MK4-MK3 combination worked for power amplifier and rack sitting on granite. Speakers enjoyed MK4.

Not detected yet. It is a painful process to judge which combination of MK4 and MK3 suits best for each component. MK4 is stronger in details and has a linear character but in bright systems it increases harshness etc, MK3 is smoother and is better with bright systems but less detailed wrt MK4.

This is my 2nd review for mk3 and mk4. I made further improvements in my system. First I put granite under the audio rack which is Finite Element's Pagode, carrying all my equipments even my big power amp Audio Research VT-200 at bottom. Previously the rack was sitting on the carpet. This improved dynamics and soundstage significantly, but with metal spikes under the rack the sound was too bright. I put a combination of MK4 and MK3 cones under the rack over the granite, and the result was so satisfactory. Then I put a second block of granite under my power amp and a combination of MK4 and MK3 between them. A huge improvement again, details, dynamics, soundstage all improved. I changed cones under my cd player from MK4 to MK3 and also put BDR Source Shelf under my cd player and another set of cones (all MK3) under the shelf and pagode rack. Marvellous! Source Shelf is something every serious listener should consider. A big step over cones. Finally I put granite and mk4 under my speakers which originally sitting on the carpet with ordinary metal spikes. It was such a significant experiment for me how distortion due speaker movement was degrading the sound. Total result is a very dynamic and detailed system with a better soundstage without being too bright or over-analytical. Black Diamond Source Shelf and cones gave me the sound that I have never realized or dreamed before with the same equipments I have. A very serious upgrade due to lowering distortion. Definetely recommended. Do not attemt to upgrade your equipment unless feel confident about distortion performance of your system!

increases dynamics and details, due to lower vibration of source materials, cheap easy to use

no weakness detected yet

I tried MK3 and MK4 versions for my Audio Aero Capitol 24/192 cd player. MK3 softened the music more and it became too relaxing. MKr worked for me, it increased the details and dynamics improved. I got better resolution especially for bass details. Defitinely recommended. Both MK3 and MK4 should be tried to see the impacts on the system since each have different characteristics on music. It is hard to believe such a small identity makes a significant impact on music. System: Audio Aero Capitol 24/192 cd player (directly connected to the power amp) AudioResearch VT-200 power amplifier B&W Nautilus 803 speakers Transparent Ultra Bicable speaker cable Transparent Reference balanced connector PS Audio Ultimate Outlet, and Lab II power cords&AC cables.

Similar Products Used:

none

First off, the BDR cones are $20 ea (not $20 for 3), second, they are some of the best tweaks for the $$$ available in audio today. They're a lot of tweaks that can make mid-fi equipment sound better, but not too many that can improve the performance of Class A & B equipement. I have a set of each (MK3s and MK4s) and it's truly amazing the difference they can make. Have tried them with the Plinius SA-100 MkIII and the Kenwood KM-X1000, a surprisingly good THX amp for the money (now discontinued), to produce better focus in the soundstage and a tighter bass. They improve the bass under subwoofers; the image and focus under Transports (Sonic Frontier) and DACS (Conrad Johnson). After using these things for just a few weeks, I wouldn't want to be with out them. Now, if their cones sound this good, what will their other products do?

These cones are simply the best I've tried yet. Initial impressions of the MK4 version under my CD transport was a lot more detail, and a more "real" presentation of instruments, with a more vivid soundstage. Bass tightened up. However, I won't recommend cones of any kind if you're short on bass.
I didn't like these under my compact speakers, though, it made the speakers sound confused ...

JR
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Quarter/9856/jrtlr.html

Have just got my BDR cones Mk 4 under my amp and power supply (3 each). I must agree with JR that the cones do provide a more 'real' sound eg claps, cymbals, guitar plucks, violins and the dynamics in the voices etc etc.
Another set of cones which I have obtained is the Ebony black pyramids which I have put under my Marantz 63 KI Cd player for the warmer sound.

Initially I don't believe in isolation but it actually works!

I agree these cones are very good. Too many in the system can be a problem. Also under heavy equipment they can be a problem. I agree with the comment below about them not working well under speakers. I recommend Mk4s for CD Transports, but you need to experiment with Mk3s and Mk4s on other components. Sometimes the Mk3s have too much warmth in a particular band in the middle of the midrange. Sometimes the Mk4s accentuate details too much in that same band.
I have tried the "Those Things" and "The Pits" as well. They did not work at all well for me under components. But I have a hard floor and found putting "The Pits" under the spikes on my speakers gave a tremendous improvement, particularly in getting mid-range textures right.

These cones are effective, however, not necessarily make the system sound better. I tried a set of MK4 for my solid state system. My system consists of Audiolab 8000CD, 8000S, Audio Physic Step SE, Audio Quest Ruby and Nordost supper flatline.
When put the cones under 8000CD cd player, did notice tighter base, better resolution. However, it also made the sound brighter. Overall sound quality is less enjoyable than not using them.

When put them under 8000S integrated amp, the changes are subtle, it did not sound brighter. But the sound is less smooth.

Maybe I should try MK3, but my system is not bright or warm. If the MK4s are so effective to make the sound brighter, I suspect the MK3s would make my system too warm to my taste.

They might work for others, but not for mine.

The MK 3 cones that I purchased (two pairs) are getting a mixed review here. The literature from BDR says that you have to experiment. This is an extremelytruthful statement.

I put one pair (3) of cones under my Proceed AVP and lost most of the bass. Of course the mid-range seemed better, but this more of an artifact of the PSYCHO-
acoustic experience. I tried moving the cones around and reversing them but it didn't help. So I conclude that in my system (which uses older CWD cabinets)the cones degraded the sound of the Proceed AVP. In fact the best sound I gotten from the AVP is with a simple set of Audioquests feet. The other configurations were: not isolation, Townsend Airplatform, and the Air Mass table.


Then I put a pair under my CAL Audio CL 20 (which is mounted on a Lovan Isolator platform, inside of the CWD cabinet). I installed them with the tips facing the CL 20 (per literature). One under the drive the others in close proximity to power supply and chassis edges.

Well the bass tightened up, everything smoothed out and nothing went missing. I have listened to CD's and DVD's extensively and the cones have made on hell of a differnce (all of it positive, so far).

1 * under AVP
5 *'s under CL 20.

Attractive; safe for hardwood floors - even alone; one step closer to live music

none to date

These cones are a no brainer given their modest price (80$ for set of four) and outstanding performance. Probably the best upgrade next to purchasing higher quality components. Placed the Mk 4s under my Alon II Mk 2s and the soundstage opened up unbelievably. The highs took on a new silkness and bass tightened up and extended dramatically. Upon placing a set of Mk3s under my CD player, the music became ever so sweet and engaging, not in your face or laid back, but extremely "live" sounding. Also placed the Mk3s under my REL sub. The REL was never boomy to begin with, but adding the Mk3s resulted in taught, visceral bass, that really adds to the drama of big soundtrack movies. DJ at Black Diamond really stands behind his products and offers a full money back guarantee so trying them is risk free. Mine will be staying permanently. These little beauties should be on everyone's short list of must have cheap tweaks.

Ability to fine tune your system

If used improperly, you can hurt the sound. Also not tall enough in some applications

The BDR MK II and Mk IV cones are great products to fine tune your system. Some people may get the wrong impression if they use the wrong cone for thei application. I strongly recommedn that you get some of each type to try under each component. Black Diamond suggests that the MK III's will warm the sound and are best under solid state and the Mk IV's are more linear and clear-sounding and work best under tubes. This OK as far as it goes but you must experiment. I use all tube equipment so my assumption was that the Mk IVs would work best under my equipment. When I tried it though, I found that the tube preamp, tubed DAC and CD Transport needed the Mk III cones. The Tube amps were definitely the best on the Mk IV cones as was the electronic crossover This is in addtion to the Transport and DAC resting on Bright Star sandboxes (Big Rock 2 and 3) and Air Mass 2S and 3.

I don't have anything uner the Bass amps yet (except my homemade marber amp stands) and the turntable has its own feet right now.

The bottom line is that these are great cones but don't assume which will work best for you. You must experiment.

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Tiptoes, Navcom Silencers, Sorbothane, ToneCones