Experience Loading Speakers w/ sand or shot

the toxins that enter the air from lead shot are just as toxic as those from paint containing lead. ask any MD

i used cat litter in my Arros. I think that the info from Totem said to use that or lead shot. I just don't want my Great Pyrenees to knock the little things over.

Jay,

Not true. The lead oxides in paint (white lead) can be an issue as paint is available to be abraided off by touch, damage, etc (think of wiping your hand on lead paint & then eating something without washing your hands)...this assumes the surface hasn't been painted since the 70's. Lead shot in a container (speaker stand) isn't available to touch & won't be 'evaporating' anytime soon. I would load the stands with lead outside & wash up afterwards...after that..not an issue.

i used cat litter in my Arros. I think that the info from Totem said to use that or lead shot. I just don't want my Great Pyrenees to knock the little things over.

Just purchased some used Von Schweikert VR-4jr's that had the added lead shot. Was a struggle to move them with the added weight, close to 200 lbs of speaker and box.
You need to consider how you'll remove the lead, if you ever sell or move em.
The VS manual sez sand is a poor choice since it attracts and retains moisture. A bad thing for speaker insides.

Saw one 'Goner mentioning stuffing a trash compacter bag into the hole before adding the shot. Sounds like a good idea to me. Elsewise you'll have to turn the speaker upside down and shake it out.