Lak is right dramatic doesn't mean much. Anyway thats about the best I could do in a rush. Brulee has done a very good job of describing these and is more eloquent on the subject.
Best reasonable$ upgrade from spikes?
I just read an article that suggested staying away from spike shoes that incorporate rubber into their design saying it messes with the dynamics. I have had target audio spike shoes (which are of this design) under my speakers for about 6 months to protect the wood floor. So I take them away and now the bass characteristics have changed dramatically. I was shocked. Who knew? Lost the Boom but now the dynamic balance is...er, different.. Suddenly the room has stopped resonating with overpowering bass frequencies (very specific notes) but it also seems like the contrast has washed over a bit. Like everything has taken a step back. I need a bit more volume and the balance is better but I need more definition. Have been recently been upgrading my IC's and AC mains so I have lost a bit of perspective. I know these are not the problem though. Don't want to spend as much as the aurios but want to change from the supplied spikes. (speakers are Linn Ninkas) Thanks for your input.
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Stuartbranson, Is your floor wood frame or concrete slab? I would like to throw a twist into the discussion here. In my room the floor is flexible and is easily set to vibrating by the speakers. When the floor and walls (and equipment rack for that matter) vibrate, that is very bad. The music is muddy, sound stage obscured, bass is smeared, loss of pace. Very nasty. You can feel the vibration with your hands (on speaker, floor, racks, etc). You can get an idea of the grunge it adds to the music by listening with your ear against the floor, speaker, etc. In my system, solid aluminum cones (generic brand) improved things somewhat (OK, a lot!). MUCH better than cones were 1/2" thick pads of sorbothane. Still better yet were stainless metal springs (better pace and "PRAT" than the sorbothane). In my case the speaker's vibration is being isolated from the floor. If you have concrete slab, the points would probably work better for you - hopefully to reduce vibration of the box by "grounding" it. My guess is that the rubber or other non-linear material is not a good thing. What do you other lads think? What kind of floor do you have? Cheers Charlie |
I am not a fan of Star Sound. The speaker spikes I bought from them left rings in cabinet. I called them to see if I could trade to the larger diameter spikes, but they wouldn't do it. They said the problem was with how the cabs' wood was curred (sp?) because brass was too soft to scratch wood. "B.S." says me. My larger stock spikes didn't leave any marks. Anyways, I'd be really surprised if there was a difference in sound between AP and BDR for the Ninkas. |
Warrenh Says, "You'll freak at the difference you hear". Wellfed says "I also like what I'm getting with the Audio Points". Ksales says, "The difference is dramatic", a word used too often with little meaning. Like all of a sudden you finally realize what your system is capable of. Theaudiotweak says,"Guarnteed best upgrade that will improve every aspect of your system". He also used that word dramatic. I agree with all these comments. Sorry to keep harping on this Sistrum stuff, but ya just may agree with what these gentlemen have said. I do! |
Guaranteed best upgrade that will improve every aspect of your speaker system will be Sistrum SP004 platforms. These are also from the makers of the Original Audio Points and are available from Star Sound. You will also need 12 coupling discs to enhance and to protect both your speakers and your hardwood floors. Only use the discs on soft surfaces,except carpet. You will hear with the addition of the Sistrum platforms, lower noise level, increased detail, improved focus, bass with better pitch and speed and if you enjoy a larger and more visual soundstage these platforms will let you see the performance. You will, over the course of months or years change electronics or speakers. Sistrum because of its fundamental physical nature will never be changed except when placed under your latest audio or video purchase. I have been using Audiopoints and Sistrum for 8 years now and have found nothing thats is, as dynamically coherent. |
Give a listen and learn a lesson. Warrenh, and Wellfed have given advice that will transform your system from good to excellent. Ya got 30 days to find this out for yourself. I am sure you will thank Warrenh, and Wellfed for their tried and learned efforts. They have given you the opportunity to improve your system more than any component you could buy. Just another opinion. Wish you the best in sound. |
I used to have the Target spike protector disc myself under my Dynaudio Contour speakers. Now I'm using the Soundcare superspikes. I actually think they sound better compared to other solution I tried before. They are reasonably priced also in my opinion for $49 for a set of 4. Here's the webpage if you're interested http://www.superspikes.com/ |
You can couple or decouple. Never the twain shall meet. As soon as you have rubber in this deal, you're decoupling. I am a firm beliver, (and I am in the minority) in coupling. I want all the resonances to be transferred to the ground. You do not want anything to get in the way of this process, which means, anything that absorbs sounds. Read my review, (it's in the Archives) on the Sistrum Mini Monitor Speaker support system. I get into the resonance transference thing, more specifically. Call Robert at Star Sound Technologies. Resonance transference is their baby, and they have everything you'll need to go that way, if you so chose. If all you do, is place Audio Points (there by coupling) under all your electronics and speakers, you'll freak at the difference you'll hear. To couple or decouple, that is the question. The answer for me: Couple. |
