Anyone using Mapleshade bases for Gallo Ref 3's?


Hi everyone,

Mapleshade offers larger maple bases with brass footers to replace the skinny stock bases that come with the Gallo Reference 3's...

They claim: "More rock-solid bass, extra midrange warmth and detail, new treble clarity. And the extra tiltback corrects the Reference 3's time alignment and gives standing listeners much better treble and imaging."

I was just curious if anyone has experience using these bases with their Gallos? I would love to know if they are a worthwhile upgrade.

Thanks in advance!

Tomer
electro77
Wow, they "correct" the Gallo's time alignment? I'm quite surprised that Anthony Gallo would spend all those years designing and developing his speakers and then allow them to get into the marketplace "un-aligned".

And, have you seen the prices for those stands? $700+, wow, that's a bit rich for my blood. If you simply want to tilt your Gallo Ref 3s back a bit, just take the rear spike cups and move them to the front, doubling up with the front ones - it doesn't cost you a dime...

-RW-
RW,
Mapleshade's claim is that they correct time alignment for STANDING listeners.I completely agree with the rest of your comments though.
However it appears that Mapleshade are huge fans of the speakers and they use them as their reference speakers
Yeah, they are really expensive, especially considering that you can get the speakers for about $2k here on Audiogon. If it's just a matter of tilting the speakers back a bit more, they aren't worth it! I'm more interested in whether replacing the skinny MDF bases and metal cones with more substantial pieces of maple and the huge Mapleshade footers really does anything subtantial for the sitting listener. As my speakers are now, the skinny MDF bases vibrate A LOT while the speakers are playing.
Well if all you are looking for is maple stands with adjustable spikes, you could probably get less expensive ones from Steve Blinn Designs or Timbernation

Cheers,
John
Brightstar were the first to debut aftermarket bases for the Gallos. Check out thier website.
I had my Gallo Ref 3 stands built from kiln dried Maple and hand milled spikes using the Maple Shade dimensions. I was able to get the raw materials and labour done for about half the cost of Maple shade.

The Gallo's are much more stable. Important when sitting on carpet.

The bass is tighter and the highs have more extension. Probably due to the increased weight and the extra height puts your ear closer to the tweeter.

Not sure about the time alignment getting better. I think it sounds good as is.

Matthew
Yeah, I've seen the Bright Star website... Unfortunately, they are "not accepting orders at this time" for the Gallo stands!

Tomer
Or with a little elbow grease and for less then $150 delivered,you could get a pair of these:

http://www.steinaudio.com/CustomerProjects.html
Mcrosier
Could you or someone give me the measurements of the stands you had made. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Hello

Hello,

They are made with one piece solid 4 inch thick kiln dried maple

15"x12" in size. The brass feet at the front are 4inches high and the rear are 2 inches

Hope that helps

Matthew
I have mine on Firlam blocks scrounged from a neighbour's house build. I'm about to remove the stock spikes and replace with some DIY spikes which will lower the speakers slightly and better couple them to the blocks. The blocks are also spiked. Pics of the setup at AgoN user "Bedlam Bay". Still plan to spray the blocks to match the stands.