Speaker Isolation tweaks ?


Hi everyone,

I want to tweak my bookshelf speaker(Revival Atalante 3) isolation.So my speakers have small isolation feet attached to the speaker, which in turn just rests on top of my speaker stand. So technically not attached to the speaker stand. These are sand filled stands with adjustable spikes, resting on a hardwood floor. I currently use dimes underneath the spikes to prevent holes in my hardwood floors. So would something like the IsoAcoustics Gaia isolators work, by replacing my existing spikes with the Gaia isolators ? seems these are to be attached to floor standing speakers. If so, the Gaia iii is for speakers less then 40 lbs, but do you include the speaker stands ?

I kind of want to stay away from adhesives. Don't want to stain or mark up my speakers.

Anyway maybe people can share their thoughts on how they approach speaker isolation  with bookshelf speakers on stands.

Cheers

 

 

128x128bunkertoy

Yes, you would have to account for the weight of the stands for the Gaia feet.  You might get a better acoustic improvement by placing an iso stand between the speakers and the stands. 

I use Nobsound springs between my Spendor SP2/2 and the top of stands (cheap and effective - opens up soundstage and increases detail and dimensionality) or these get solid reviews: Seismic Isolation Pods (not so cheap!)

Herbies Audio Lab Threaded Stud Gliders to replace the spikes and dimes. Great on hardwood floors.

IsoAcoustics Iso pucks sound like a fine idea.  There are lower cost alternatives but they should accomplish what you're looking for.  Maybe find a place where you could return the pucks if you don't get the improvement that you're hoping for?  Then you have a free demo.

Isoacoustics Gaia made a big improvement in sound on my previous Kef Reference speakers. Everything more focused. And they look good too!

Using the Gaia II’s on my KEF Reference One’s improved my soundstage. It is critical that the feet are on a smooth surface so they can grip it, or use their carpet spikes. It also requires that your speakers are very firmly attached to the stands so that the forces from the speakers can travel and be absorbed by the Gaia’s. Also note that the Gaia’s are directional and the logo on each foot has to face forward to get the full effect. And yes, you have to include the weight of the stands in your calculations. 

Ok sounds like the consensus is to just try them and try to hear a diff.

My speaker stands weigh 70lbs, speakers weigh 25lbs. But the speaker stands only have 3 feet not the normal 4 feet, so weight calculation is different. I feel like that might put me into the  Isoacoustics Gaia i category. Those are the most expensive of the lot. expensive trial and error.

I have used Herbies products for many years and suggest: Tenderfeet to couple the speakers to the top of the stands and Cone/Spike Puckies under the spikes at the floor.

Herbies

I tried the Nobsound springs mentioned above...between mt MT cabinet and my bass cabinet...was very pleased with the sound....noticeably better than the Herbie pucks. I had before.

I would recommend the isoacoustics pucks. They are relatively inexpensive and very versatile. 

The Townshend podiums would be the best to isolate, they isolate down to three hertz and they stop the vibration from going into the floor and back up into the speaker again, you can put them right underneath your speaker stands you just have to get the right size and the right size cells for the weight of your speaker and stand, they are far superior to ISO acoustic Gaia according to everyone that's tried them both, they said that the ISO acoustic Gaia's were very good but The Townshend podiums were on a whole different level better, I bought them and put them underneath my monitor audio platinum 200 ll and the difference was as if I had upgraded to more expensive electronics, most significant upgrade that I've done to my system.

You mention that they are bookshelf speakers: My suggestion would be to use Black Ravioli big pads and put at least 10lbs of bricks or something heavy on top of the speakers. You’ll need additional weight to tame cabinet vibrations

Lots of different input on this topic.... Making it even harder to decide.

So I got a chance to buy Quadspire QX7 Isolators. Half the price I see them for online. Not sure if they will do much.

These are just stainless steel feet that take in the plinth. Anyone know anything about these ? Am I still better of getting Gaia Isolators ?

I've purchased some IsoAcoustics ISO-Puck minis. only cost $90. Bit of a cheap experiment.

Still wondering if maybe I should get some stainless steel Floor Protectors and Enhancers. They hold the spikes and protect the hardwood floor.

https://www.dedicatedaudio.com/products/quadraspire-qx7-floor-protectors-and-enhancers

if you can hear the difference, nothing should stop you from spending thousands on a piece of rubber

SVS SoundPath feet are almost as good as the IsoAcoustics and cost a lot less.  Spend the savings on acoustic panels.