Footers under new speakers

I was curious about the Townshend until I checked the price.  $2620 for size 3. 

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. 

Had a local shop cut some granite (counter top) into the size/shape desired (slightly oversized) as a base for the speakers and then placed on the floor consisting of thick carpet over concrete. Similar to concrete patio block idea except with some family approved style. A few hundred in cost that worked well for SQ and improved stability - preferred over Gaia.

@hilde45 Thanks , I’m looking forward to visiting. Also on my to do list is visiting the coffee bar “ ESP “ to hear their system. My son booked it for his customer appreciation night 2 years ago. @sls883 You have a killer system, congratulations. I hear you on the price. I went CHEAP on my speakers and at $3200 for speakers, the podiums are a lot. I see them at $1800 direct in a listing here on Agon. @willow7 , I am definitely considering what you’re saying, that is one of my major considerations in this thread. The “ More Stuff “ link from Hilde is definitely worth reading. As far as the slabs/footers I should obtain some in stone , wood and cement. Then try all 3 spiked and flat without anything under them. I’d need to go about 18”X 24”.   That gives me 6 possibilities and then there are a half dozen ways to couple the speaker with the platform. I guess that’s 36 combinations?  You guys have already done the leg work and I appreciate your input. The big curve for me is the moisture that wicks out THROUGH my flooring. I have carpet , glue down hardwood, tile and one room with pre LVP on a moisture barrier. I’ve encountered condensation and wetness and mold when I have anything more than a couple square feet that doesn’t breath and traps the escaping moisture. I live in a pretty dry environment but the ground my house is on is clay hard pan and it’s so bad I get effervescence causing minerals and salts to form. I moved my Peleton recently and I pulled back the 6’ equipment mat and you could smell the moisture and feel the dampness. That was the room with the moisture barrier and the LVP floor. Had I not accidentally discovered it , my floor would have been ruined. We’re finalizing a kitchen remodel contract and my wife bought 2 slabs of quartzite. I’m right there with you in regards to having some stone cut. The other thing I’ve considered is making a mold and pouring Quick-Crete slabs and including some type of threaded receptacle for spikes/ footers. Cheers , Mike B. 

Gentlemen thank you for the guidance and please continue. I’m just now stepping out of that old mindset that spikes anchor my speakers firmly to the floor and adding some weight on top makes the cabinet 100% unmovable therefore creating the perfect environment for the drivers to move fore and aft. I’m obviously late to the game , but I hear what you say based on your experiences and the gains you’ve achieved. FWIT about 15 years ago I was on the top floor of the county jail. This building has 5 floors and is the height of a 10 story building. It’s modern and made of steel reinforced concrete. It’s wide , stout and somewhat rectangular. With the inner walls and dividing floors almost like a giant box speaker. It was nighttime and quiet. An earthquake hit and I was sitting on an office chair with wheels. At first I could hear the low frequency rumble then I could feel the entire building sway slowly back and forth. It lasted about 20 seconds and slowly subsided. It then went back to quiet and still with only a light fixture still coming to a stop. Looking back at that from the perspective of this topic gives me a different appreciation of my earthquake experience. Cheers my Peers , Mike B.