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 Interesting findings. I just can't really fathom the science behind the Townshend (or other footers), but apparently it works. I'm happy that it worked for you. If I spend any money on audio, I'm also considering the level 3 upgrade for my Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp. It's about the same cost. |
@sls883 , I totally get it , as it went totally against my thinking. However after reading for the past few years over and over again I just had to trust. I’ve done some serious tube rolling and this was bigger. Over the past few years I’ve closely watched members that are open minded and have put extensive research and time exploring isolation, decoupling and room treatments. Hilde45 is a perfect example of someone that has spent hundreds of hours experimenting with various gear and methods. I’ve tried to focus on the people that have modest priced gear as I can’t afford a $100k system. This is why I’m here and I’ve actually made a few friends along the way. Cheers , Mike B. |
Congrats! Glad they worked out for you. It's a lot of money for them to not be what you hoped for. I just placed an order for the Tough Nut cylinders and price is more that reasonable, which is a breath of fresh air when it comes to HiFi tweaks. My Isoacoustics Gaia footers sucked too much bass weight to my liking so off to the used market they go. |
@trecool99 , Hi I was able to get them delivered new for what I’ve seen them for used. I had a conversation with Tough Nuts and they recommended the cylinders for my Tektons due to size. I’m going to get a set for my Zu Omens after I finish this project and set up a rig with the ZU’s for my wife on the oak hardwood we’re putting in the den. I’m considering making some amp bases with the pointed footers too. I’d appreciate it if you hit me with an update after you try them. When I installed the Townsends the bass became 80% absent and I was very concerned. However the 3” diameter footers settled into the carpet and John their rep made it clear that I could raise them a significant amount totally clearing the carpet. . After that bass came back and improved drastically. It’s fuller , smoother and I lost a boom I was having at a frequency I had not yet measured. I’m only running a 50 wpc amp and I can rattle the stove in the kitchen. I huge part of taking the leap at that price point was the carpet. This was the only device I was comfortable trying without spikes. Regards, Mike. |
OP: In order to tweak speaker placement on my thick pile carpeting, I put these furniture sliders under my Townshend podiums. They’re a perfect fit under the pods - and slide very easily. Since they don’t affect the SQ, I left them underneath. (The socks are only for bare floors.) - - - - Re: benefit/cost ratio. If 20 years ago, someone said that over 50% of my future system cost would be for cables and power conditioning, I would have said they were crazy. Yet, they would have been right. 🤔 |
