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IsoAcoustics GAIA footers: impressions

I have Spatial Audio M4TM speakers which were spiked to the thick carpet in my room.  I got the GAIA footers with the carpet spikes this week and got them installed today.  They are fiddly as hell to install, requiring a narrow needle-nose pliers to cinch down the nuts securely. 

I have been listing to my system for a few hours with them installed and from the get-go, the SQ improvement was readily apparent. There is an enhanced vividness to the music with more pronounced leading edges to musical notes and a more life-like decay to the notes that makes the sound more engaging.  I am very impressed with the SQ improvement which is far from subtle to my ears.  I previously auditioned the SVS footers and they clearly degraded the sound of my system. 

These footers have garnered lots of praise in the audio community and at $680 for them, it was an expensive tweek, but my ears are really happy with revisiting familiar recordings and loving the sound ever more than before.  I am aware in reading reviews that a fair number of folks trying them were not impressed, but Music Direct and others permit a 30-day money-back trial if they don't work in your system.  At any rate, it seems appropriate to share my impressions of them with you folks as they are quite amazing in my system.
whitestix

Showing 5 responses by whitestix

whitestix OP
685 posts
 
Holy cow, it is amazing that a Youtube video could reveal this enhancement with the GAIA footers.  My test with tube rolling and other enhancements (tweaks) is that if I don't recognize the improvement immediately, they are a bust.  I have tried goofy expensive fuses and nutty stuff like Shakti Blocks and SR dots on the wall, and it was a fools errand.

No question, from the first measure of the music with the GAIA footers under my Spatial Audio speakers there was a palpable increase in inner detail and coherence to the music and more realistic soundstage. Pity those that don't audition them. 

 
whitestix OP
685 posts
 
Select-hifi,
You auditioned them and found them not to your pleasure so good for you... but you did try them.  I am frankly amazed that raising the level at couple of inches so adversely affected the sound of your speakers.  Raising the vertical height of my Spatial Audio speakers did not exhibit the sensitivity that your speakers evidently do.  I have used sorbothane for decades and it is quite effective as well, but clearly not under speakers on carpet.  I did not try the GAIA footer under my speakers without their spikes.  
whitestix OP
685 posts
 
I am using these inexpensive isolation pads under my Don Sachs' tube amp and I sense a bit lower sound floor to the music, but it might well be "confirmation bias."  At any rate, they are worth a try.   

https://www.amazon.com/PneumaticPlus-Anti-Vibration-Rubber-isolation/dp/B073R6KMYK
whitestix OP
685 posts
 
Ray,
This is an intriguing product line of isolation devices which strike me as very affordable.  Thanks for the post, I will have a further look at them.  There are many paths to excellent isolation devices and there is solid science behind their efficacy.  Try them and let you ears inform you of their value in your rig.  
whitestix OP
685 posts
 
Join the crowd, my friend.  This technology is evidently the real deal.  My ears certainly tell me that.  Thanks for the post.  I do love Dali speakers. 
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