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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
celtic66
1,935 posts
 

Usually need pay extra for the wobble.

Loved the Gaia, now the Townshend, which actually do wobble.  They all worked well, Townshend way more expensive, somewhat better.  Cheers 

hazeloop's avatar
hazeloop OP
20 posts
 

 

Reporting back on this. Here is where I ended up for now with the isoacoustics. Heavy piece of tile from a local store. Interestingly enough, I contacted the CEO of isoacoustics and he indicated they are working on a longer version of the carpet spikes due to feedback from a number of customers. They are sending me a pre-production version of this within about a month to try out. We'll see how that works. 

@elliottbnewcombjr @hjdca @snilf @richardbrand and others (not sure if all are notified)

Last video - still wobble but not as significant. https://imgur.com/a/MF66gZb

zlone
1,340 posts
 

Thanks for reporting back. Did you notice improvements in your sound with the Gaia’s? My soundstage definitely improved when I installed them.

hazeloop's avatar
hazeloop OP
20 posts
 

@Zlone - I did. Interestingly when I anchored the Focals to the floor with a different set of spikes (not factory), it wouldn't budge, but the sounds was flatter, not as refined. I'm assuming that is the resonance sneaking back up from the floor into the cabinets.

sdl4
251 posts
 

I have been very happy with the performance of a set of AUVA -70 speaker isolators from Stack Audio. I'm using them with my Aspen FR10 speakers on a carpeted floor in a first-floor living room that sits above an open basement space below. Each AUVA isolator (using four AUVA-70s under each speaker) is fitted with three spikes, and the spikes can be selected in whatever length is needed to puncture through the carpet and pad to reach the plywood flooring underneath. This results in a much more stable connection to the floor than could be obtained with the stock spikes that came with the speakers and rested on top of the carpet surface.

However, as you know, a more direct connection between the speaker and the floor may sound worse if it simply allows more vibration to be transmitted back and forth between the speaker and floor. The nice thing about the AUVA isolators is that they include compartments that control vibration transmission a lot better than a simple spike can.

@hazeloop if you can't get the Gaia isolators to work well enough, you might want to try out the AUVA-70 or AUVA-100 isolators.  

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