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
elliottbnewcombjr
7,730 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
1,114 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? 

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
247 posts
 

@hazeloop

Note:  In my post and picture above, my experience is with the GAIA I, not, the GAIA II.  The speakers are Wilson W/P 8 that weigh approx.  170 lbs..., so, the GAIA I is required.  I am assuming that the GAIA II should behave like the GAIA I, but, that may not be a good assumption on my part --  Although, in your video, it looks to me like the carpet spike is moving up and down with the carpet/pad, and it is not the GAIA II that is controling the majority of the rocking. 

I think you have to figure out if the 1 inch spikes on Isoacoustic carpet spikes are long enough for the carpet and the pad.  Even if they are, they may not have pierced through the pad.  You could mark where the spikes should be, then, take the speaker off and use a hammer to make sure you drive the spikes through the carpet pad.  Then use your hand to press down the spikes to make sure they consistently hit the floor and do not wobble.   Even if the spikes need to be longer than 1 inch, if the hole through the carpet pad is done, the weight of the speaker may be enough to compress the pad and make sure the spikes hit the floor. 

hazeloop's avatar
hazeloop OP
20 posts
 

@hjdca - completely agree. It would seem to me that while moving the speaker, the isolator would absorb the movement, but the spike is actually moving. I am in touch with Isoacoustics and we'll see what they say before I decide next steps. 

@ronboco - I tried both ways, yes. I have a slab of marble without spikes, but of course that still moves. 

@jimmy2615 - You can see from the picture there is a gap between the nut (at the isolator end) and the knurled nut (on the speaker end). The knurled nut needs to be tight against the speaker (and plinth in this case) when you counter tighten the nut on the isolator. 

tclarkmd
4 posts
 

I put Gaia I’s under my Tekton Moabs (135lbs ea) with a granite slab beneath that was leftover from a kitchen remodel. The speaker/gaia/slab is on carpet/pad/concrete in my basement. I couldn’t afford and get past the WAF for the Townshends but was happy with the results. No wobble at all. You might be able to get slabs fairly cheap as scrap?

More to discover