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Avalon Speakers... To Spike or Not To Spike

I’m looking for advice on what others use under their Avalon speakers. Looking at the Member Systems pictured on Audiogon, I found that 4 systems used something other than Avalon’s OEM spikes, that 10 systems used nothing at all, and only 5 systems used Avalon’s OEM spikes.

Due to stupidly thick carpeting, I don’t have the option of using Avalon’s OEM spikes, or nothing at all. Presently my Avalon Ascendant speakers sit on 3/8th inch thick steel plates with treaded floor spikes. The bottoms of the plates are covered with Loctite rope caulk to stop any ringing. Prior to putting the speakers on the platforms, I level them by beating the spikes into the floor with a dead-blow hammer.

One option I’m considering are platforms made by Sound Anchors. The Sound Anchor platforms would raise the height of the tweeter about 2 inches which would bring the tweeter height just about even with my sitting position ear height.

Another option I’m considering is to continue to use the plate steel platforms, but to add Finite Elemente Ceraballs between the speakers and the platforms.

Any suggestions and advice would be most appreciated.
raks

Showing 1 response by reynolds853

reynolds853
377 posts
 
I use stainless steel Soler Points on my speakers. I know Ed Soler and he can make them custom for you. The ones he made for my speakers are 2" wide at the top and about 2.25" tall. I gave him one of the original speaker spikes and he made sure the threads matched on the new spikes. He also makes the pucks to use along with the spikes on hardwood floors if ever needed.

Ed can make them out of brass if you prefer, but the stainless steel ones are the way to go.

What I would suggest is that you measure from the center of the hole where the spikes go out to about 1/8" or 1/4" shy of the edge of the speaker. Mine are 1/4". Then, just decide how tall you want them.

Ed is one of the regulars at the stereo shop here in town and you can place an order through them. My custom spikes are pretty big, though not the biggest he's made for some of the systems I've seen. My spikes were $60 each - again, stainless steel. Ed puts a very sharp point on them, so there is no issue with them penetrating carpet.

Please send me an email if you would like me to help with this, and I can take a picture of my spikes and email them to anyone interested.

And on the question of whether to spike or not, I prefer the tightened bass I get with my speakers spiked.

JBS
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