Footers under new speakers
Hi , I’m seeking advice regarding footers and/or platforms under my speakers. I purchased Tekton Double Impact’s and have heavy shag carpet and padding over a cement slab floor. House is 35 years old, cement is thick and well cured. I’m from that old mindset of spikes into cement and I am looking for an improvement. I’ve looked online at Gaia footers and Herbie's Studded Giant Gliders. I emailed Herbie’s and specifically inquired about the studded gliders alone on the DI’s over carpet. I asked about stability and was told the speakers were “ heavy enough “. Unfortunately I just set up the DI’s temporarily to get a little break in time. They are without any footers upright on my carpet. At 115 lbs the speaker does about zero to compress the carpet. I understand weight Vs footprint is abysmal but they won’t even stand straight. I’ll probably put the spikes on for a bit until I formulate a plan. But my first concern is that Herbie’s gliders alone are not enough and due to the minimum cost of the speakers I am struggling with purchasing Gaia’s footers and footer spikes. The seismic stands look exceptional, but I’m trying to be frugal. So I’m looking for suggestions like, gliders or dots with or without spikes on wood / stone plinths spiked to the floor. My goal is to try some sort decoupling (Gliders / Springs / Dots) AND eliminate the need of having to rely on the carpet being compressed. And yes I have cheap speakers and seek a cheap solution, so I get that limitation. Unfortunately I can’t afford Tannoy’s or Fynes to compliment my 180 watt tube mono blocs for at least a year. Cheers , Mike B.
Hi, Mike Hang in there, Brother Glad you are on top of it and have the music. I get the Monterey Bay connection. My place is in Santa Cruz. My boat is in Sausalito. Good advice from Janis and Big Brother - "Get it while you can" Love and Respect x2. Double OT - that's the goal. Ken PS - I have Herbie's Big Fat Sliders under some B&W 802s that I need to slide around for serious listening sessions due to space & decor issues. They were better than spikes and also better than no spikes. K
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@gavman , Hi I like the Gaias too. The big hang up is the carpet. I have zero experience hence this post. The feedback I get from people that are not budget restricted are Townsends with Gaias very close. I’ve been fortunate to have side conversations with people I respect who have used both and it’s about 2-1 for Townsends. I like the looks of the Auva’s with spikes too. I’m waiting on the arrival of the Townsends and based on the overwhelming positive reviews and the large footprint I’m choosing them. I’m starting to step out if MidFi and the closed minded idea that spikes are the best. I have enough gear for 2-3 modest systems and will be trying ToughNutt cylinders and maybe the pointed footers on some isolation platforms. So probably Herbies , Auva’s and ToughNutt over the next year. The Gias might get sidestepped due to cost. Also I went directly to Townsend and they gave me a generous price through AGON. Cheers, Mike B. |
@waldenpond , Small world ! My fathers memorial plaque is next to the Crows Nest Restaurant. There are about 6-7 plaques that helped fund the seating area with the nautical star. If you look over at the Pink house on the point , I’ve stayed in the gray and yellow houses next to it. I have relatives that have a house backed into the upper harbor. To some SC is seen as gritty and raw, but to me it’s alive and overflowing with some of the best people and best times I’ve ever had. My dads ashes went in at Oneils one foggy morning 20 plus years ago and I’ll be rolling with the Orcas in the Canyon. And I do “ Pack my Trash “ 😎 Mike. |
My tower speakers weigh 85lbs each. This sounds funny, but give it a try, it worked for me. I have carpet on a cement slab as well. The funny is I tried spiked plastic furniture grips that have adhesive I got at Walmart cheap. They have no problem holding the weight with one square on each corner. I move the speakers when needed for cleaning with furniture sliders under the spikes. Works slick. You could easily double them up for heavier speakers. The spikes isolate from the floor, yet stable. I would not have used this cheap solution if it had not improved the sound or were not stable. Or, you can spend hundreds of dollars not knowing just how good this works. :) |
@pcrhkr , Thanks this is interesting. If you scroll back a bit and look at @wswright20’s post he mentions doing the same. Also check out his gear page and see he’s essentially doing the same with 285 lb speakers. I’ll probably try that this week with my spikes ( if they don’t pierce through ) and with the raw cabinets. When my Townsends arrive in a week or two I’ll try them. Then I’ll probably try the Townsends with the furniture gliders again as wswright20 has done. Cheers , Mike B. |
