Slate under speakers?


My system - listening area is on a suspended floor loft. Wood floor with carpeting on it. As a trial/experiment I currently have formica covered countertop sink cutouts under each of my Snell Type AIII's. No spikes...just sitting on top of the carpet. The difference was an easily noticable tightening up of the sound...more resolution...so I'm looking for a more permanent solution.

I came across some slate slabs (1 inch x 22 x 34 inches) that would would fit under the speakers nicely. Has anyone used slate in this way? If needed I could spike the platforms into the floor.
fishboat
If you're not afraid to move things around, I suspect various types of materials placed between the feet of the speakers and the materials being used atop the carpeting will yeild various results.

Sorry ... hate to put it that way but that's my exp thus far with speakers on similar florring... not attached to a slab.

I've read here everything from exotic woods as platforms, pavers as listed right here, slate, boxes filled with sand and other sutff atop that... with spikes and without... with soft poly materials, even read a thread here where the idea of hanging them from the ceiling was submitted.

yikes.

There will be differences using different methods, as there will be raising and lowering their overall height to that of your own ears... so the deal is to see what's best for you and in your own confort zone of attempting.

I've found adding another piece of carpeting over some new deep dish carpeting I recently had put in, and setting a piece of plywood on top of it all and spikeing the speakers to that does a fine enough job for me... for now.

The bass certianly became less boomy and it did not make the highs thin or etched.

I'm doing that with every speaker in the room, rears, mains, and center (once I get that stand built to the right height)... I'm still figuring that one out.

Enjoy.
Hmm..seems like I might have a solution.

Zargon..sounds good..no pun intended (well maybe a little). Your right, spikes are between the speaker & the platform...I forgot. I haven't thought about this stuff for a while..life got in the way. My speakers don't really have accomodation for mounting spikes like 'modern' speakers. Back in the 70's - 80's the speakers were made with simple medium-hard rubber feet .. about a penny in size. Are there any spike solutions for this type of setup? Something that wouldn't add much height?

Tpreaves/Woodman...cryo...my thoughts exactly as I read Woodman's description. You could market them as "CeMAti Platforms" that are made of the rare ResMAti stone...the one known mineral source of Unobtainium. You could shave the cost of materials down if you buy in bulk and retail a set for..say..$295? (a steal!) All kidding aside..I don't doubt you heard some effect as the sink platforms I tried surprised me. They look like h@ll, but they stay in place until I find a replacement (for the last 18 months).

Jim..the height (without any spikes) will be about the same between the slate and the sink cutout. Hopefully there won't be any downside in the switch. I too have read many solutions to decoupling suspended floor speakers...this is what lead me to try the sink cutouts. My biggest immediate concern is getting the speaker placement back to where they are now. I dialed them in by ear-alone one day (about half the day to do it) and they are just right. I measured them a few days later and, oddly enough, the center of my head is at one corner of a 103 inch equilateral triangle...my hearing must be balanced at least. (distance of my head to left speaker to right speaker back to my head as I sit in my listening chair) I wish I had a little more room, but I'd have to suspend my chair over the great room below. Still, things sound pretty special.
Yes. I have my Dynaudio speakers on 1" thick granite slabs.Tightened up the base
Slate is becoming a favored material for custom turntable plinths due to its characteristic of dissipating micro-vibrations. It is not simply mass as several other materials can offer that as well. Apparently it is the layering process when the slate is naturally created.

My guess is that slate will become more popular for a base under component as more hobbyists learn about it. I would think it could be a superior material under speakers too.
I use Adona 24" X 24" granite/mdf platforms under my speakers & the results are amazing.
Better base is just the beginning as I was able to place the speakers closer to both the rear & side walls.
I must disagree with the use of spikes - I can now position my speakers all by myself - which is a major accomplishment (especially on carpet) as the speakers have 4 spikes & discs attatced to the bottom of the metal bases.
My new listening room has cork floors over concrete & the speakers are further from the rear walls but still very close to the side walls & the sound is still fantastic.
Probably the best $500 I have spent on any tweak!
BTW - The graphite SF Stradavari's look even better on the granite bases which is another plus.