Sipkes or isolation devices better under speakers?


After reading about the importance of putting isolating devices like Vibrapods or Aurios beneath system components, I would need some input regarding my speakers (Martin Logan). Would they profit more from these devices compared to the spikes you are supposed to put under the speakers?
With spikes the speakers are coupled to the floor, with Aurios (or other similar devices) the speakers are de-coupled from the floor.
Any idea what is better?
tekunda

Showing 2 responses by mgottlieb

Please see my comments under the thread "Under speaker metal spikes...what is the point?" from last week. I set up my speakers (Eggleston Andras) as the manufacturer suggests--without screwing in the spikes until I was satisfied with the placement. (This is on a carpet.) I then screwed in the spikes and there was an immediate, readily noticeable improvement in clarity and detail. (This was with a cup under the spikes to keep them from digging through the carpet, and for stability.) Later, I put Aurios Pros under the spikes, floating the speakers. There was an even greater improvement in clarity and focus with the Pros in place than had occurred when I added the spikes. You can't use the Auris Pros under floor model speakers without spikes, and the improvement in using both is greater than almost any change since I got the speakers (other than getting new amps powerful enough to drive them, which my previous amps were not).
Aurios Pros are Vistek's biggest and most expensive audio product, about $200 apiece. They are essentially a 3 inch diameter flat bottom plate and curving top plate which move independently of each other, almost certainly with ball bearings between them. The top plate has an indentation for the spike to fit into, just the way spike cups which are fixed do. Four of them will support up to 2000 pounds. The speaker seems to rest securely in place, but when you push slightly in one direction or another, the speaker or other component will sway that way and then return. There have been favorable reviews in Stereo Times this past spring and fall. I know Audionut.com will tell you all about them, and I presume they have a bunch of other dealers also.