Under speaker metal SPIKES ...what is the point ?

I'd like to add a thought. Every comment above about using spikes to minimize vibrations and blurring of detail is 100% correct, and the minute I screwed spikes into the feet of my 200 pound speakers there was a substantial improvement. But then, on the advice of a dealer I trust, I set the spiked feet in Vistek Aurios Pro footers (round footers, about 3 inches across, with top and bottom plates which move independently of each other, probably on ball bearings), which decouple the speaker mass from the floor. The spikes rest in indentations on the top plate. If you tap the speaker, it will sway on the Aurios Pros. The effect in terms of clarity and detail is so astonishing I am in the process of buying Pros to go under every component in the system. (They do amazing things under turntables and transports also.) Skeptical? Try it, you'll be amazed.

Mgottlieb: That's interesting. I don't have a good physical explaination on why that works. The Aurios Pros should work well under almost any component, especially transports because it disappates mechanical energy that is undesirable. For speakers, the mechanical energy is what is needed--so why does it sound better under speakers--you got me. It goes against what I would have expected--but it wouldn't be the first time something in this hobby has surprised me. Anyone with an explaination on why the Aurios Pros worked for speakers?

Abstract 7--my best guess is that spikes cut down as much as possible of the speaker-floor vibration interface, and the Aurios Pros essentially cut out the rest, leaving nothing but the sound the speakers are outputting. Probably hanging the speakers from the ceiling would be even better, but a bit impractical for 200 pounders. (I'm sure someone out there has tried it, of course.)