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First impressions of the Isoacoustic Gaia 1’s

On my KEF Reference 5’s.

While I normally hear little to no change with “Tweaks”, I installed them Saturday evening and found immediate spatial differences. Just about every album sounded more open. I told my wife, who helped me install the Gaia’s,  that if I wasn’t wowed, I’d send them back.

The room has wall to wall carpet and pad on the floor and when  I first received the Reference 5’s, they sounded flat. I put small hardwood flooring samples under them and it helped a little.  I then put a small slab of granite under each of them and they became much nicer to listen to. I was quite surprised at the change. 
The Gaia 1’s are sitting on the granite as well and so far, I’m very happy. 

It’s only been a few days, but I’m pretty sure they are “hear” to stay.

Anyone else have similar experience’s with speaker. Isolation?

JD

128x128curiousjim
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curiousjim OP
4,765 posts
 

@celtic66 

What do you have under your carpet and I’m guessing pad? I have oak hardwood and was told that the way the spikes work is by going through everything until it hits solid. When I asked about possible damage, the answers were all over the map. I couldn’t see how they couldn’t do damage to my floor, so I came up with an alternative.

All the best.

JD

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim OP
4,765 posts
 

Thanks Oz,

 I’ll check out Critical Mass footers.

JD

celtic66
1,668 posts
 

The room has wall to wall carpet and pad on the floor and when  I first received the Reference 5’s, they sounded flat. I put small hardwood flooring samples under them and it helped a little.

Did not understand oak flooring under the carpet, assumed sub-flooring.  Best success with the trial and error.

uncledemp
779 posts
 

I’ve been using springs like the Nobsound. Once I adjusted the number of springs to allow for about 1/2 compression, world of difference. 
 

So good I ordered a pair of Townshend Podiums today. I appreciate all the expertise on this site, your positive experiences made it a risk worth taking. 
 

**** Question for podium owners. I have standmounts on heavy stands. How would you place the stand-mounts on the stands, just blu tack?

 

Thanks-

fleschler
2,015 posts
 

@phillyb   I MUST use my Townshend Sink under my VPI TNT VI turntable.  It has inadequate/ineffective footers, much worse than the spring and rubber feet of my earlier VPI 19-4.  I also require Ultra SS Stillpoints under my preamp/phono stage which has a cheap metal base.   I use carpet piercing spikes that came with my 180lb speakers which go into a 12" 3000 psi steel reinforced slab.  I use 1/2" granite slabs under other electronics as I prefer the sound of the equipment as intended by the developers.   I'm not certain about my Bryston Bit20 iso trans 95lbs so I put the same Stillpoints under it as well.  

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