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Skylan speakers stands-how much sand?

I searched the forums but did not find any specific information.

I received a pair of Skylan 26" single post speaker stands yesterday. Noel suggested loading the stands with play sand, about 15 lbs. per speaker. I filled them with sand today, tamping on the top of the stands to pack the sand down.

I listened to my system yesterday, prior to adding the sand, and again today, after adding the sand. The highs seem to be muted and the speakers seem less open after filling the stands with sand.

Is it my imagination? The speakers are Spendor S3/5's.
oneinthepipe
oneinthepipe OP
22 posts
 
Thank you for the replies.

The tops are cut the exact dimensions of the Spendors.

The bass is good, but I can't tell about the high end. I really packed the sand in. Maybe that makes a difference, but I don't think it should.

The stands are very well made and very nice looking. Who would have thought that PVC pipe could look so good?
nieuwen
60 posts
 
You might find that if you use something like blu-tak to help make a solid connection between the speaker and stand will help you to get better sound from your speakers. Some speakers come with custom stands designed have you actually screw the stands to the speakers to get that solid connection. I am thinking of Dynaudio and KEF Reference with their dedicated stands. Blu-tak will get very close to the same level of connection without marring or damaging the speaker.
frank_sm
111 posts
 
Could you have possibly altered the speaker positioning which would lead to a change in sound? Did you move the speakers at all when you added sand? Just a thought, try different placement, toe-in.
oneinthepipe OP
22 posts
 
I replaced the speakers in exactly the same position. (my wife has never been keen about the blue masking tape on the floor.) I will continue listening to them, but there is definitely a difference. I agree that the low end is better, but I really think that they have lost a little presence in the midrange and top.

They still sound good, and I like the stands. They are infinitely better than the metal stands that I was using.

I don't know whether there is a solid connection between the stands and speakers, but I can feel the low end vibrations in the stands. I have hardwood floors and am not using the carpet spikes. The adjustable feet have flat metal bottoms.
sherod
1,690 posts
 
Try taking some of the sand out. It sounds like you might have them a tad over-damped. Experiment with the 75% filled as previously mentioned. Also, you definitely need spikes or some type of footer to couple the stands to the floor. If using spikes, you'll need special pads for the spikes so you don't ruin the wood floor. You might also try some large Isonode footers or the Herbie's big dots under the speakers. There are a lot of threads on this subject, so you could do a search for more suggestions. Have you asked the Skylan dealer what they recommend? As I recall, wood floors, depending on if they are laid over a concrete base or are suspended, require different set-ups of the speaker stands. here's an older thread you might find of interest:



http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tweaks&n=62576&highlight=sand+in+speaker+stands



And another:



http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1156645142&openflup&2&4#2


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