Raising standmount speakers
@tvad Thanks. Just wondering what makes you say it's not a long term solution? Stability or something else? If you're using individual isolation footers, like Gaia, then in this scenario butcher blocks are not a problem. If you are coupling your stands to the floor with cones, etc., then the butcher blocks are defeating the coupling method. If you're decoupling the speakers, with Townshend podiums for example, then butcher blocks are also a problem. |
Do you know if Harbeth voiced them using 18 inch stands? If they did, you could affect the bass balance/voicing if you raise them more than that. Many manufacturers build their floor standing speakers with the woofers at a specific height to account for floor bounce. That could be what Harbeth did with these, even though they go on a stand. |
@tvad Thanks and this makes sense. I looked into the IcoAcoustics footers and they sound promising - no pun intended :) A combination of IcoAcoustics and butcher blocks might be the way to go in the long run. think I saw @milpai system pics where he is using a similar combination but he has floorstanders. Appreciate the input from everyone. In the meantime, I will experiment with tilting the stands. Will keep you guys posted. |
I will experiment with tilting the stands. Will keep you guys posted. Tom6897’s suggestion of a laser guide is excellent. Here’s something to try... Place a laser guide so it’s centered on one of the loudspeakers, and flush to the baffle. It’s good to secure the laser guide with a bit of BluTak. Find a stand, or a high backed chair, or something on which you can tape a piece of paper with a dime size dot in the middle. Tape the paper to the stand so the dot is at ear level. Then, move the paper target left or right and line it up so the laser from the respective loudspeaker hits the paper. Then, tilt the speaker until the laser hits the dot. You may have to move the stand a little left or right to center the dot. That’s okay. The idea is tilting both speakers so they match. Repeat for the other speaker. Of course, if Harbeth recommends setting the tweeter higher or lower than ear level, then adjust the height of the dot accordingly. You can also use this method to match toe-in angle. |
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3262#&gid=1&pid=1 If you expand the pic you’ll see them. My amps are sitting atop platforms I assembled for a different pair of speakers that I needed the tweeters higher. Made on the cheap as an experiment that worked quite well for me. -two of these https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/aptitlig-butcher-block-bamboo-00233429/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlbmf6s718gIVj... -two of these https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-DSS4-BK-Black-Speaker-Spike-Set-4-Pcs.-240-717 about 85-90 dollars invested. drilled the anchor holes, screwed in anchor inserts, installed cones…done. These net about 2.5” to 2.75” elevation only so you may need taller cones which are readily available at P.E. Or Amazon. Cones are adjustable so you can play with rake angle starting at the base and keep speaker to stand contact the same as it is now. 3” and 4” butcher blocks are expensive, unless you know a woodworker or mill that would make you raw pieces that you would sand and finish. |
