Footers under new speakers


Hi , I’m seeking advice regarding footers and/or platforms under my speakers. I purchased Tekton Double Impact’s and have heavy shag carpet and padding over a cement slab floor. House is 35 years old, cement is thick and well cured. I’m from that old mindset of spikes into cement and I am looking for an improvement. I’ve looked online at Gaia footers and Herbie's Studded Giant Gliders. I emailed Herbie’s and specifically inquired about the studded gliders alone on the DI’s over carpet. I asked about stability and was told the speakers were “ heavy enough “. Unfortunately I just set up the DI’s temporarily to get a little break in time. They are without any footers upright on my carpet. At 115 lbs the speaker does about zero to compress the carpet. I understand weight Vs footprint is abysmal but they won’t even stand straight. I’ll probably put the spikes on for a bit until I formulate a plan. But my first concern is that Herbie’s gliders alone are not enough and due to the minimum cost of the speakers I am struggling with purchasing Gaia’s footers and footer spikes. The seismic stands look exceptional, but I’m trying to be frugal. So I’m looking for suggestions like, gliders or dots with or without spikes on wood / stone plinths spiked to the floor. My goal is to try some sort decoupling (Gliders / Springs / Dots) AND eliminate the need of having to rely on the carpet being compressed. And yes I have cheap speakers and seek a cheap solution, so I get that limitation. Unfortunately I can’t afford Tannoy’s or Fynes to compliment my 180 watt tube mono blocs for at least a year. Cheers , Mike B. 

buellrider97

Showing 3 responses by ghdprentice

On the first post in this string, I mentioned that the most likely consensus would be that Townshend Podiums are the most universally recommended solution. Also, that I probably needed to heed my own advice and get some. So, I did. I received them this morning. 

My speakers are Sonus Faber Amati Traditional. My listening room is carpet on concrete. After removing the spikes and wrestling my 135 pound speakers onto the very substantial podiums the sonic improvement was instantly obvious. I tend to measure sonic improvements in terms of the addition of a direct line. To me it is kind of a measure of value. A direct line can cost around $1K or so currently. The improvement is very noticeable. It is often like an interconnect or power cord upgrade... or component. 

However, the Podiums offer a different kind of upgrade. To me is sound improved in focus and image detail. A significant improvement.  But it completely leaves out tonal balance, and aspects that are often associated with electronics. Which, of course makes sense.... but you never know what you are going to hear before you do. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be learning more about the subtile aspects of the improvement over the coming weeks. OP, thank for starting this thread... got me thinking and on the stick to do this. 

I read a review of Podiums and they are said to work on all surfaces including carpeting as is, without spikes. I was unable to resist. So I ordered a pair. I've known a number of audiophiles with great systems and for all of them the improvement level put them in the no brainer category. So, not sure why I hadn't got them before. 

I think when you get all the inputs the likely consensus will be: Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podium for Speakers. By far they are the most highly regarded speaker stands. While I do not have them I know many people that do, and I don't think I have ever heard anyone ever say anything but extraordinary praise. Hmmm, I guess I need to put them on my list. Don't actually know why I don't have them.