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Frequently Asked Questions About the fo.Q


Why do fo.Q products improve the sound?


This is because new materials that are used are designed for use in audio applications. fo.Q products offer three significant features, described below.

Feature 1
The vibration-damping materials used in fo.Q products have been newly developed. First, they convert vibrations into electrical energy, and then they turn the resulting current into heat. This absorbs vibrations extremely effectively. As a result, these materials offer outstanding performance compared to conventional damping materials and vibration-suppressing materials such as rubber and heavy metals. When used in audio equipment, they are far more effective at adjusting sound quality than anything available to date.


Feature 2
fo.Q products don't produce the characteristic sound that conventional damping and vibration-suppressing materials would generate. Rubber and heavy metals don’t completely absorb vibration, and the remaining energy creates other vibrations, which are audible as sound. fo.Q products have none of this peculiar sound, instead producing clear, pure sound.


Feature 3
The damping materials used in fo.Q products are designed specifically for audio applications. The damping effect has been verified to extend over a broader frequency range than with earlier damping and vibration-suppressing materials. Moreover, a noteworthy feature is that the materials effectively absorb tiny vibrations that other damping and vibration-suppressing materials are not able to eliminate. This prevents subtle signals from being negated, and overwhelmingly increases the amount of accessible sound information. For instance, the violin voice not only conveys the sound of the strings, but the resonance of the instrument body as well, while with the flute voice, the listener can virtually hear the sound of the performer breathing.



Which is more effective, placing the fo.Q on or under the speaker?


You could say that setting it under the speaker is more effective because two effects are obtained simultaneously: it acts as an insulator, and also to suppress vibration. However, this varies depending on the speaker state and on the surrounding environment, so it's difficult to say that one or the other is definitively better. In the following cases, we recommend setting it under the speaker:

・When the speaker is placed directly on the floor
・When no insulator is used

Also, if an insulator is already being used, try setting the fo.Q on the speaker.
The ideal configuration would be to place one fo.Q under the speaker, and another on top of it.



What should I try if there's no change in the sound?


There are a number of things you can try, described below. Try whatever you think might work, based on the surrounding environment.

1.If other accessories are being used
If you are using accessories that use rubber or heavy metal damping materials or vibration-suppressing materials, if you are using an insulator, or if you are using damping accessories placed on top of the device, they can make it difficult to produce a synergistic effect.
Try removing these, and see if using just the fo.Q alone solves the problem.

2.If using parts and chassis tape
Use a small amount of fo.Q with each of the components in your audio system.

・With speaker sheets
Use fo.Q products on top of speakers, underneath speakers, and on the feet of CD players and amps.

・In the case of a part / tape for chassis
Try affixing fo.Q to the area around the CD player tray and on the cable connecting the CD player and amp. If the power transformer of the amp is on the exterior, definitely try fo.Q on this. The effect can also be boosted by increasing the amount of fo.Q used.
Example: 2 speaker sheets, one overlaid on the other



Are there any precautions I should take if affixing fo.Q to parts?


What should I be careful of when affixing fo.Q. to parts?
The following precautions should be observed, with consideration given to heat generated by or radiated from parts, the adhesive strength of the fo.Q, and other aspects.

1.Be careful of temperatures if using the fo.Q. on parts that generate heat
fo.Q products can be used within a temperature range of 20℃ to 40℃. If using them with the following parts, pay close attention to the temperature of the parts.
・Resisters (especially in parts such as power control systems)
・Vacuum tubes
・Power transistors
・Heat sinks

2.Be careful not to block the radiation of heat from the device.
Affix fo.Q products in such a way that heat vents on the device are not covered or blocked.

3. Be careful of the adhesive strength of the tape.
The tape adheres strongly, so be careful of the following when removing it:
・Paint can peel off of the device.
・Parts can be damaged.
・Cables could be torn or broken.
Also, removing the tape can leave adhesive residue on the surface, so be careful when peeling it off.



Can fo.Q products be used to dampen speaker unit vibration?


Affixing tape to the frame of the speaker unit dampens vibrations very effectively. In addition, thin tape can be used as a spacer between the speaker unit and the enclosure. We also market a fo.Q damping spacer designed especially for 8 cm full-range units manufactured by Azabu Audio, that is jointly produced with the Roppongi Institute of Technology.



Can processing such as hole drilling be done at home?


Products such as speaker sheets and tape for parts and chassis can be cut to the appropriate size using scissors and cutters, and are designed for convenient use, with no waste. Items can be affixed to each other using double-sided tape and paste, but the greater the thickness, the better the damping performance of the product. In some cases, depending on the environment in which it is used, vibrations can be excessively suppressed, creating a flat, uninteresting sound. Pay close attention to the amount used.



Do fo.Q. products react to magnetic force?


No, fo.Q products demonstrate no reaction to magnetic force.



Can fo.Q. products be safely affixed to metallic parts?


Affixing fo.Q. products to metallic parts will not cause any problems. However, be aware that they are not completely nonconducting, so they should not be used directly on parts that conduct electrical signals.



Can fo.Q products keep out electromagnetic waves?


These products are not designed to shield from electromagnetic waves. Also, it has not been confirmed that electromagnetic waves are generated from the materials in the process of vibration absorption.



Are there any precautions to observe when storing fo.Q products with water-based paint?


When storing products with water-based paint, be sure to close the cover tightly, to prevent moisture from evaporating. If the moisture evaporates and paint inside the bin hardens, thin it with water, not solvents, to soften it before using it again.



Reference: Suggestions for maximum enjoyment of your fo.Q


Fo.Q products can be used in different ways, depending on the kind of sound you want to achieve.

If the sound is too intrusive to listen to for long periods of time, and you want a quieter, more relaxed sound:
・Use a larger amount of the fo.Q on the speaker.
・Use two speaker sheets, one on top of the other.
・Place the fo.Q under the speaker.
・Affix fo.Q to the sides of the speaker, using double-sided tape.

To obtain a bright, lively sound:
Use less fo.Q on the speaker. If you use something like an insulator to raise the speaker slightly, thus eliminating reverberations from the floor or other surfaces, the fo.Q should keep the sound pleasant even if the volume is slightly louder than usual. Using too much can deaden the sound, reducing the listening enjoyment; this is a good approach if you want to listen to the music as background music. It keeps the music fresh and easy to listen to. Try using the products in various ways to maximize your listening pleasure.

We hope to continue using this Q & A page to respond fully to customers’ questions about fo.Q products. If you have any questions about how to use the products, or any suggestions concerning the products, please feel free to contact us.

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