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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
joeycastillo
267 posts
 

in my opinion, just find the Gaia setting that removes any wobble and that is all you need to do.

danmar123's avatar
danmar123
627 posts
 

Look into the Auva products. They dampen without any wobble. I have them under my B&W 804, & love what they've done to the sound.

toro3's avatar
toro3
506 posts
 

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.  
 

My interpretation is similar to @jimmy2615.

Beyond this and from prior responses in the thread, I haven’t seen any information from IsoAcoustics indicating that the GAIAs were purposefully designed for left to right or right to left subtle flexing. In my experience, this usually indicated an imbalance from uneven flooring or installation of the GAIAs..

I always thought that some subtle movement from front to back if pushed with two fingers was considered normal, but like all things, could be wrong. 

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
247 posts
 

@hazeloop 

I saw your last video with the GAIA II on the hardwood floor.   That is exactly what my GAIA I look like when I try to move the speaker.  So, you are on the right track.  If you can just get the spikes to get through the carpet padding and hit the floor below, you should be able to save some coin and get the right performance.  Hopefully, if the spikes are a little short, the weight of the speaker should keep the pad compressed.  If the carpet pad causes the spikes to float even with the weight of your speaker, then, you are probably SOL with those spikes.   It does not look like Isoacoustics makes longer spikes.  If it was me, I would take the speaker off the spikes, then , put a block of wood on the spikes and push them down as hard as I could while at the same time hitting the block of wood with a hammer or sledge.  That should drive the spikes through the compressed pad to the floor below.

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

I viewed the video, definitely too much wobble.

If the spikes are tall enough to get thru the carpet and pad, then they would be motionless without the devices. Then you sit the devices on the spikes, and the speakers on the devices, and the only movement would be within the device.

Are your devices 'weight correct?

You do always have the option of a careful set of 3, which puts more weight per foot, takes the need for leveling out, you just need to solve the prevention of tipping over. Anti-tipping blocks in the rear corners, with a small clearance so no contact normally, but they hit the carpet and prevent tipping if they tilt too much. 

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