1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 196225-179784

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
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.  

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
247 posts
 

I watched you video, there is lots of movement.  It looks like the spikes are moving up and down on the carpet pad.   Here is a picture of mine.  The Gaia are on a hardwood floor which is on top of concrete.  The Gaia kind of suction cup to the wood floor.  When nudging the speaker, there is no speaker movement side to side, nor front to back.  Nothing like what your video shows.  I guess it kinda feels like the speakers are on furnature felt pads, ie. they will move a few mm, but, it is not really perceptable.   My guess is that you are not getting all the performance that you could.  As you know carpet also has a pad underneath.  You might want to try longer spikes, or better yet, show that video to Isoacoustics and see what they say about all that movement. 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

I don't have them, I just thought I would share this recent positive experience at the NY Audio Show

  1. Isoacoustic Isolation Feet, I heard the difference in their demo on carpet

https://isoacoustics.com/home-audio-isolation-products/orea-series/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22978080468&gbraid=0AAAAAClQro92imFHI0CQPY6UW0qAAQBZh&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPzHBhDCARIsALlWNG2VxQmcaYWKW-9IIDbqmbmANs7JBB9pZvso0lK93PlZxbaxXm-_xssaAsH2EALw_wcB

They had two pairs of identical speakers, volume matched, I think these Operas

https://www.operaloudspeakers.com/en/

One pair on their isolators, the other not, and a customer could randomly switch with a remote control. A duet with a female singer and Leonard Cohen, I could definitely hear a change in Leonard’s voice each time the customer switched, the pair on the Isolators sounded better to me each time.

ronboco
1,115 posts
 

@hazeloop 

I think the problem is the spikes on the carpet are not solid enough. I have Gaia ii footers on my Kanta 3 speakers on hardwood floors are they don’t rock near as much as yours appear to. Did you try without the spikes ? Or maybe a platform under the Gaias? 

More to discover