Slate under speakers?


My system - listening area is on a suspended floor loft. Wood floor with carpeting on it. As a trial/experiment I currently have formica covered countertop sink cutouts under each of my Snell Type AIII's. No spikes...just sitting on top of the carpet. The difference was an easily noticable tightening up of the sound...more resolution...so I'm looking for a more permanent solution.

I came across some slate slabs (1 inch x 22 x 34 inches) that would would fit under the speakers nicely. Has anyone used slate in this way? If needed I could spike the platforms into the floor.
fishboat

Showing 2 responses by fishboat

Hmm..seems like I might have a solution.

Zargon..sounds good..no pun intended (well maybe a little). Your right, spikes are between the speaker & the platform...I forgot. I haven't thought about this stuff for a while..life got in the way. My speakers don't really have accomodation for mounting spikes like 'modern' speakers. Back in the 70's - 80's the speakers were made with simple medium-hard rubber feet .. about a penny in size. Are there any spike solutions for this type of setup? Something that wouldn't add much height?

Tpreaves/Woodman...cryo...my thoughts exactly as I read Woodman's description. You could market them as "CeMAti Platforms" that are made of the rare ResMAti stone...the one known mineral source of Unobtainium. You could shave the cost of materials down if you buy in bulk and retail a set for..say..$295? (a steal!) All kidding aside..I don't doubt you heard some effect as the sink platforms I tried surprised me. They look like h@ll, but they stay in place until I find a replacement (for the last 18 months).

Jim..the height (without any spikes) will be about the same between the slate and the sink cutout. Hopefully there won't be any downside in the switch. I too have read many solutions to decoupling suspended floor speakers...this is what lead me to try the sink cutouts. My biggest immediate concern is getting the speaker placement back to where they are now. I dialed them in by ear-alone one day (about half the day to do it) and they are just right. I measured them a few days later and, oddly enough, the center of my head is at one corner of a 103 inch equilateral triangle...my hearing must be balanced at least. (distance of my head to left speaker to right speaker back to my head as I sit in my listening chair) I wish I had a little more room, but I'd have to suspend my chair over the great room below. Still, things sound pretty special.
..got busy and lost track of this thread..I meant to post back with results. I picked them up and instaled them. Originally the speakers were sitting on the carpet that on top of a suspended wood floor-loft. The next step was to use countertop sink cutouts..and there was a marked improvement in tightness (prat?) in the sound from what I could tell. I then swapped out the sink cutouts for the slate slabs. I gotta say, things still sound pretty sweet. Certainly no loss from what I had and I think it's a bit better. Surely looks 100% better and is still a marked improvement over the speakers just sitting on carpet. All theories aside...I think the slate a keeper.