loss of bass after filling stands

Hi Mark, when you say "spiked", do you mean instead of screwing the B&W 805's to the speaker stand, to use the small spikes that also come with the speakers instead? The coupling of the speaker to the stand is exactly why I thought that the B&W stands were probably a better idea than another brand, even if that brand is very well made. When I first purchased my stands I filled them with sand because shot was hard to find. When I finally found a gun shop in upstate N.Y. that sold shot I changed from 100% sand to alternating between sand, and shot. I got less bloom and a more defined pitch in the bass, but now you have me wondering if I should have used the spikes instead of the screws. Good to hear from you.

Martin, I hesitate to be too definitive because I have found that different things work with different speakers, and can depend on the weight of the speaker. When you screw speakers to a heavy stand you ensure that the speaker's energy has a sink and that the excursion of the speaker will be minimised. The downside is that the stand will store and release the energy over a long period, and will be delivered back to the speaker very easily. If you either rest the speakers on up-turned spikes screwed into the stand, or screw the spikes into the bottom of the speaker, the result will be different. Any significant movement of the speaker will be quickly released to the stand, but will be less likely to be returned to the speaker. I certainly found that this latter method was preferable with several small box speakers (such as Totem and Proac). Principally the sound was "faster" and more open. With screwing the speakers to a heavy stand, there was perhaps an improvement in neutrality, and greater bass weight, but a deadening of the music (which I ascribe to smeering of fine detail). Where screwing the speaker to the stand may be better is when the cabinet has a "lively" resonance and the slowing of the release of this energy is perceived to be an improvement. This is just my theory and I suggest you take it as merely a suggestion for trying something else. If you end up prefering the screws oaver the spikes, then there may be a cabinet resonance issue that might be better dealt with using Vibrapods between the stand and the speakers - I only say might because Vibrapods have their pluses and minuses. But all of this is predicated on you spiking your stand securely to the floor first - which really is a must.

Hi Mark, thanks for the tip. When I have the time to experiment and get a bit adventurous I will compare both ways of setting up the 805's. One thing about screwing the speakers to the stands, it is such a secure way of mounting the speakers that it gives me the confidence that it will not topple over if I accidentally bump into it. The spikes that B&W give with the speaker are sort of a "rounded at the edges" spike, and I felt as if it would be precarious to leave them on the stands that way. How do you secure your speakers to their stands? Also, my stands are on the spikes and firmly planted on my wooden floor. I can live with a few holes in the floor, but not mushy sound.