I have a modest system. Continually look for ways to improve it's performance even to a slight degree. I have read many posts about improvements than can be achieved by filling the hollow spaces of some speaker stands with some type of material....sand, kitty litter, lead shot, and some others. Here are the stands I have...... https://www.sanus.com/en_US/products/speaker-stands/sf26/ These stands are of metal construction. There are 2 upright support tubes which are approx. 2" diameter. The stands sit on a carpet floor with spikes. On the top plates are a layer of Sorbothane and PSB Imagine B speakers sit on top of that. The 2 metal supports are attached to the base and top plate with just threaded holes about 1/4 " diameter. Pouring some type of dampening material would definitely require a funnel. The reason I ask this question is that, when I thump on each upright post, it rings for several seconds. A dampening fill would minimize this but would filling those posts really benefit the speaker performance to even a small degree given my modest setup? I don't know. Probably, few have experimented with this type of scenario.Thanks for any advice.
@geoffkait Yes, I said I used sand, but I also said I used expanding foam (Gaps and Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant) to seal the tubes and keep the sand where I wanted it. To add another data point, when Infinity built the IRS V speakers, they filled the midrange/tweeter wings to make certain they were non resonant. They were charging $50,000 in the mid 1980s, and could use almost any material they wanted. Did they use lead shot? BBs? Steel ball bearings? No, they used sand.
phomchick If you use sand, only use stands that are welded, stands that have bases or parts that are screwed or bolted together might cause sifting in the cracks I had some steel stands that rang like bells. I filled them with play sand from Home Depot ($6), and sealed the tubes with expanding insulating foam from a spray can to keep the sand in.
As is usual on Audiogon, this thread is full of nonsense: toxicm effect on the bass, don’t fill the tubes all the way, it will kill the sound, & etc.
>>>>Prolly best to file that one under WHATEVER. 😬
If you use sand, only use stands that are welded, stands that have bases or parts that are screwed or bolted together might cause sifting in the cracks
I had some steel stands that rang like bells. I filled them with play sand from Home Depot ($6), and sealed the tubes with expanding insulating foam from a spray can to keep the sand in.
As is usual on Audiogon, this thread is full of nonsense: toxic effect on the bass, don’t fill the tubes all the way, it will kill the sound, & etc.
S’funny Geoff I have heard some people swear by that foam stuff you get in cylinders to inflate your flat tyres in an emergency when you can’t reach an auto repair shop. Never tried it myself, but may have a similar effect to the wool you are talking about. Again I expect use in moderation may be preferable.
Generally speaking, lead is not a good material for sound. Yes, I know, it’s not too soft and not too hard and seems like the perfect material for audio applications. But in most cases, lead has a toxic effect on the sound, especially the bass, which can get all weird and unnatural sounding. If you want something to address ringing hollow fiber wool works very well, and used sparingly. Isolating the speakers is probably worth considering, too.
One common mistake people make is to fully fill their stands. It can kill the sound totally dead. Far bettter results are usually usually obtained by going 50% to 65% max. Keeps a lower C of G too.
Lead is toxic, no need to use it. You can get steel ball bearings from many industrial suppliers at very low prices. stainless won't rust and is safe to handle and get rid of if u want to latter on. Some of the newer kitty litters are pretty dense and could be used. The steel shot or bearings can be had in small diameters so they pack tight.
It does not ring like steel and substantially increases the stand mass over sand, steel, pebbles, etc. Best would be lead filled with sand.
Sorbothane works very well in coupling the speaker and stand. The improvement in mid-bass detail is impressive.
Kitty litter is far too light to be of any use.
As far as disposal, almost any gun club can direct you to a reclamation center. Simply add a label on the back stating the stand is filled with lead shot in the event the owner is not the disposer.
jrpnde .. I don't think 1/4" is large enough to accept the small pebbles. As long as your bases are welded, sand might be a good option for you (not beach sand). You might also check out steel shot.
Silica sand is non-organic, very dry, and is available in many grits. I chose the grit that was the smallest of those most resembling organic sand, but not powder-fine. I believe it was 80.
If you use sand, only use stands that are welded, stands that have bases or parts that are screwed or bolted together might cause sifting in the cracks.
dill...I like your suggestion. Haven't been to Home Depot to check out the options but I do have a question....... Like I mentioned, the access from either end of the 2 upright tube supports are small threaded holes probably not more than 1/4" in diameter. Are these "small pebbles" small enough to fit thru such small holes?Thanks for your advice.
Sand is the easiest to get through small openings. It is heavy and inert. Lead? Don’t bother. You are looking for speaker stands that don’t resonate, not speaker stands that The Hulk couldn’t pick up.
Do not use kitty litter unless you are in a very dry climate. It absorbs moisture, will expand and be hard to remove. Go to Home Depot and get a 40lb. bag of small pebbles, make sure they are totally dry before pouring them in the stands. They are easy to pour in, shake the stands to pack them in tight, easy to remove and dispose of if need be.
Usually the best combo; if lead shot is too messy, you can survive with sand alone. You might also try blu-tacking the speakers onto the stands as well (instead of the Sorbothane) & check for improvement (or not!). Good luck!
A fill of lead shot would be my suggestion. Many use a combo of lead shot and sand. Ringing of the stands will be reduced, and stability for the speakers will be enhanced. Enjoy ! MrD.
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