M&D Xylophone Question

[MarisaSF]

DD got the M&D Xylophone as a gift. There is foam under the xylophone bars. Am I supposed to remove the foam? The sound of the xylophone is not great, but I'm not sure if it would be better with the foam out. Ideas?

[vludmilla]

I think you are supposed to remove the foam because I think it is dulling the sound. Just as an aside, we got a Little Tikes xylophone and the sound is nice and pleasant. My husband did say that if the sound started to drive us nuts, however, he could put something under the keys to mute the sound. Perhaps your foam is performing that function?
HTH

[dr mom]

The sound on ours is awful, most of the notes are just slightly sharp or flat, so the scale sounds appalling when DS plays with it.

After 6 months of normal use, quite a bit of paint flaked off the keys, and it is a peeling, battered mess. I am completely underwhelmed with the quality, and won't buy M&D wood toys again.