Back in the late seventies, Artech Electronics commissioned J.A. Michell Engineering to manufacture a new spike cone which we dubbed Tenderfeet. Since that time many thousands have been sold worldwide. Tenderfeet are solid anodized aluminum cones designed to fit underneath your audio components. They mass-load your equipment to whatever they are placed on, and provide a high impedance mechanical interface between the surface on which the equipment rests and the equipment itself. This prevents ambient vibration from affecting the performance of loudspeakers, turntables, compact disc players and electronics. With loudspeakers this ambient vibration can be the delayed, self-generated standing wave present in the floor or bookshelf that the loudspeaker rests on. With turntables and electronics this vibration is largely loudspeaker generated.

Tenderfeet prevent loudspeakers from rocking which dramatically increases resolution at higher frequencies, and also increases the clarity and definition of bass notes. Tenderfeet will enhance spatial accuracy and reduce the boxiness associated with smaller speakers. Focus of separate instruments will improve. Increased low level detail will be more apparent, especially in the attack of stringed instruments — and the increased sense of "air" around instruments and vocals.

The greatest improvement will be heard with loudspeakers, then in turntables, tube electronics and transistor electronics in that order. Power amplifiers seem to benefit more than preamps.

Tenderfeet come in two sizes. The small ones are only 15mm high and will fit under turntables, electronics or loudspeakers mounted on hard surfaces. The large size are 37mm high, to be used on loudspeakers or electronics placed on carpeted or hard floors. The long, sharper taper will pierce carpet, thereby coupling the component solidly to the floor. Both sizes are available in a black or silver anodized finish that will not tarnish or discolor. The large Tenderfeet come standard with a 8-32 threaded hole which will accept hanger bolts for screwing to your equipment. Large Tenderfeet are also available with larger 1/4-20 threads. All Tenderfeet are 34mm diameter at the base.

We recommended three Tenderfeet for each piece of equipment. For larger loudspeakers, we recommend four Tenderfeet fitted with hanger bolts for levelling, or our adjustable Spike Feet (Type I for surface mount, Type II for flush mount). For those who want the benefit of Tenderfeet or Spike Feet without the possibility of scratching fine furniture or floors, we recommend using our Tendercups.