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Filling speaker Stands?

I have a modest system. Continually look for ways to improve it's performance even to a slight degree. I have read many posts about improvements than can be achieved by filling the hollow spaces of some speaker stands with some type of material....sand, kitty litter, lead shot, and some others. Here are the stands I have......
https://www.sanus.com/en_US/products/speaker-stands/sf26/ 
These stands are of metal construction. There are 2 upright support tubes which are approx. 2" diameter. The stands sit on a carpet floor with spikes. On the top plates are a layer of Sorbothane and PSB Imagine B speakers sit on top of that. The 2 metal supports are attached to the base and top plate with just threaded holes about 1/4 " diameter. Pouring some type of dampening  material would definitely require a funnel.
The reason I ask this question is that, when I thump on each upright post, it rings for several seconds. A dampening fill would minimize this but would filling those posts really benefit the speaker performance to even a small degree given my modest setup? I don't know. Probably, few have experimented with this type of scenario.Thanks for any advice.



jrpnde

Showing 5 responses by jrpnde

jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
dill...I like your suggestion. Haven't been to Home Depot to check out the options but I do have a question....... Like I mentioned, the access from either end of the 2 upright tube supports are small threaded holes probably not more than 1/4" in diameter. Are these "small pebbles" small enough to fit thru such small holes?Thanks for your advice.
jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions I have received. Like I said in my original post... The open access to both of the upright metal posts are only threaded holes about 1/4" in diameter top and bottom. That would eliminate some of the suggestions for the type of fill used.
I'm sure that many would just suggest for me to get a different type of stand. Stands may come to the cost that many have more than the cost in their entire system if their system is as modest as mine.
I knew that my post would inspire a flood of opinions and suggestions from many. This is an issue that has, probably, provoked conflicting opinions of a lot of folks. That's good since everybody's opinion had some merit based on their own personal experiences.
My original question remains the same.....filling my current stands obviously requires some type of medium that can be poured thru such small holes. If the cost of such a medium outweighs that cost of the stands then what's the point?
Maybe, I'm asking a stupid question? Just trying to make the best with what I have.

jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
Well....I am the OP of this thread. There have been many suggestions as to how to fill stands with small openings, what that fill should be, and to what level of fullness should be. I have learned a lot based on the experiences of many.My take on all of the responses......the only way to find the best solution for me is to try different approaches. Of course, filling speaker stands isn't as simple as trying other options such as just switching interconnect cables and the like.
The forums here often stray from the original question or comment of the original poster. I have read many posts that did so and, sometimes, I read something I didn't know that would be in there but provided valuable information for me.I know this audio hobby is VERY subjective. Everybody has different equipment, musical tastes, and EARS. That's what makes this so interesting. Criticizing others for their opinions may just be a bit outside of what the forums try to achieve.But, we're all human and want express ourselves in whatever manner.Thanks to all.
jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
Thanks to all offering advice. Seems that everyone has had experiences with all types of fill as to fill material and level of fill. With my current stand configuration I only have 2 options for a fill material.....sand or rice (if the grain size is small enough). Only one 1/4" threaded hole for access. So the tamping down of sand really isn't possible. I do use Sorbothane on the top plate between between it and the speakers. When I purchased these Sanus stands (which weren't very expensive) I did not consider the option to improve performance by filling upright supports to subdue the ringing of those by tapping on them. Maybe, with my setup, it wouldn't make any noticeable improvement. Only after buying the stands did I read about the benefit of filling hollow spaces in all types of stands. Probably, different stands would have been a better option.Thanks to all for offering suggestions.
jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
soundsrealaudio.....been there. If I had enough valium to fill speaker stands my problem would be much larger than pursuing better sound. By the way...are valium pills smaller that small grain rice?I just want constructive advice.
Good luck with your problems.
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