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Isoacoustics Gaia and speaker wobble

I have installed Isoacoustics Gaia II isolators on my Focal Aria 936. Initially I had some issues installing them but have resolved that and they are on tight. I have thick plush carpet so the isolators are sitting on the carpet spikes that Isoacoustics offer as well. When I lightly tap on the side (and back) of the speakers near the top, the speakers wobble slightly, but then return to position. Prior to installing the isolators, I used the stock spikes and the speaker did not move as much, hence the questions. 

Also, I put a bubble float on the top while playing the music loudly (with a high level of bass) and the bubble did not move, so I’m thinking that is key. I actually sunk a nail into the carpet to make contact with the hardwood floor beneath and then compared the length of the nail to where the isoacoustics carpet spikes go in and it appears deep enough.

Has anyone else experienced movement they consider normal and in general, is a certain amount of movement expected. And, yes I asked ChatGPT, but I’d like actual experience of owners. :-).

I know pictures help, so see below. In the first picture you can’t really see the spikes. The second I show them. You can hear them push through the carpet when I step on the plinth. 

https://imgur.com/a/MF66gZb

Thanks very much. 

 

 
hazeloop
winoguy17
1,326 posts
 

 In the past I had Gaia II and the carpet discs on Focal Electra 1038s., a large heavy speaker. I was always surprised at how easy it was to move the speaker, but the improvement in sound made it a non issue.

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
477 posts
 

If your carpet spikes are mated to the floor properly then the length of the footers needs to be adjusted.  Even 1/2 a turn will make a difference.  See if that helps.  Good luck.

hazeloop's avatar
hazeloop OP
20 posts
 

Thanks all so far fo the comments. I added a couple of short videos to the pictures from my original post. The second video is me repetitively tapping on the speaker. Probably a non-issue as it does in fact bounce back quickly. I could be over-thinking this, as usual...

https://imgur.com/a/MF66gZb

erik_squires
17,543 posts
 

Unfortunately side to side wobble is expected.  When I had focals I had to use outriggers to improve stability.  The issue for side to side is not really about music but how easily they will topple and how careful you have to be cleaning around them and if you have pets or children. 

However, for music, only front to back wobble matters.  You want to minimize the rocking back and forth.  With smaller speakers on light stands, a 10 lb steel weight direclty on top can greatly improve bass/mid definition.  Always worth trying. 

jimmy2615
476 posts
 

Yes, as I understand it this is part of the design.  Did you notice in the instructions it wants you to have them unscrewed partly (so there’s a gap between them and the speakers - they should not be screwed on tight) and also with the letters on the units facing either forward or backwards?  They are supposed to have movement.  I watched a video with the designer and they said they are directional in this way - that is, the speaker drivers have a pistonic effect that moves forward and backward with the speakers (front to back), and the Gaias move along with that.  Now, if the wobble is the same as if you had speaker spikes on hard floor for instance, that were not leveled out properly, I would be concerned about the installation.  

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