Love to hear from current owners or past users of Isoacoustics Gaia footers.

I have GAIA I's on my speakers and I'm very happy with them.

Which footers did you replace? Your provided spikes? Thanks. 

I was thinking about getting the Gaia II, but the cost is 600.00 plus I would need the spike cups at an extra 140.00.  It also looks like the spike cups aren’t long enough to use on my thick wall to wall carpeting.  Last thing I want are my 115 pound speakers sitting on top of the carpet.  

I replaced the stock footers. I have Stillpoints under the rest of my components. The GAIA's improved bass articulation and allows the speakers to disappear better. It's not a night and day difference. You have to hear them in your own system to determine if they're worth it to you. In my system I submit the GAIA's are a much better value than Stillpoints when I consider packaging and positive impact on sound.

I went from Mapleshade Brass Heavyfeet to the Gaia I's and heard a definite improvement. I added Sound o city outriggers threaded for the Gaia I's and that didn't improve the sound much but made the speakers more stable. The Gaia's are quite expensive but well worth it to me for the sound improvement they made in my system. 

I have them on some large floor standers, but I was kinda throwing the kitchen sink at "Last System.."  I don't have anything bad to say about them, but I've noticed some of the A/B tests seem to leave the non-Gaia speaker slightly lower than the speaker with the Gaia feet and suspect a slightly higher speaker will sound different to a seated listener.  Also, if you have a bass port near the floor, then you'll get a different (less bloom?) bass.if the port is off the floor.

They claim to restrict side-to-side cabinet movement but allow front to back movement.  If so, I could see the front to back movement creating a cleaner, less thumpy sound, but not necessarily objectively better.

They do look nice compared to spikes, and I have no intent to sound snarky.  They're still in place, and I love my system, which says something.

Herbie’s Audio Lab products have 60 day trial.
I gave no experience with either but these are cheaper and worth a try?

Several options.

https://www.musicdirect.com/vibration-control/IsoAcoustics-GAIA-Speaker-Isolators

They have 60 day’s return policy,

I am totally happy with Gaia ii under my Lansche 4.1 speakers.

No need to compare with other foot.

Of course, it is not easy to change the foot under 130lb speaker.

Just go for it, if you are not happy you can return.

But I bet you that can not take it out.

I have the Gaia2 on Martin Logan CLX Art. They were very difficult to fit as thread wasn’t long enough. However now they are on , just - I’m pleased with improved sound. Previously used spikes sitting on granite bases.

Improvements were subtle but included less glare, improved bass control. 

Surprised that they don’t induce speaker wobble - which would be a problem with the height of CLX’s. 

They are expensive though, I’d only fit to speakers if you have high cost large floorstanders. The CLX’s are £25k, so worth the bit extra for Gaia. I haven’t bought them for my much cheaper surround floorstanders for example.

There are cheaper ways such as inner tubes with concrete slabs, etc but the Gaia is unobtrusive and takes up no extra space. There are also more expensive and larger solutions, such as Townsend Podiums. 

For smaller speakers I use Focalpods, eg. On my ProAc Response 2’s and my surround speakers ML Scenario.

I’d say they make more difference than fancy cables, but much less than a component change.

In summary, if you are using high end speakers, and you have already fixed room acoustics with treatments, then give them a try. 

Just love the GIAII I bought last year . I have used them on six different speakers and they are a necesitty now . Only problem is having to take them off and put them back on each speaker that comes through my bi monthly rotation . Could use a few more pairs ! The biggest improvement so far has been on King sound -King and KS17 electrostatic speakers . Also nice improvement on Klipsch RF7 as well. What I get is a more focused imaging and tighter bass response . 

I have had the Gaia II footers with carpet spikes under my Goldenear Triton One speakers for about 4 months. I have tried four different spike/cone/footers with these speakers as described below.

I originally had the speakers installed in a room with carpet over a concrete slab using the factory supplied spikes. I had good results with Audio Point brass cones under previous speakers (Wilson W/P 7, Dunlavy SC-V, Mirage M-1), so I tried the Audio Point 2.0's on the Triton Ones. Unfortunately, this did not work well at all. Dynamics were restricted, transients were softened and the sound became dull and lifeless. I actually preferred the sound of the speakers sitting flat on the carpet with no spikes or cones at all compared to the Audio Points.

Next, without expecting much, I tried the Track Audio stainless steel spikes ($119 from Music Direct). These resulted in a nice improvement over the stock spikes with tighter bass, better defined images and a more dynamic presentation. I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a performance increase the stainless steel spikes made.

I then moved to a new house with a second floor music room over the garage that had carpet over plywood flooring. I tried both the stock spikes and the Track Audio stainless steel spikes to see how each worked in the new room. I was disappointed to find that while the Track Audio spikes were still better than stock, it wasn't to near the degree of improvement they had been on the concrete slab. 

I used the Track Audio spikes for about 2 years before installing the Gaia II footers with their matching carpet spikes. The Gaia's made the largest improvement of any of the previous solutions. Bass became even more defined and articulate, images are more three dimensional, stage depth improved and the speakers disappear into the sound stage to a greater degree. The overall sound is more relaxed and enjoyable while revealing more subtle details.

This experience has demonstrated to me how different floors can have an impact on which speaker supports will work best. It would have been interesting to see how the Gaia's would have performed against the Track Audio spikes on the concrete slab, but for my current environment, I am very pleased with their performance.

Just purchasing my first tube amp a Raven Blackhawk ,but they sent a Nighthawk until the Blackhawk Mk iii are ready and using Definitive Techogoly BP 8080st speakers .
I have a 27'x14' x 8' ceiling with hardwood floor and lots of big sofas and tables and noticed the floor vibrating and until I read this subject on this forum, I would have done nothing .. But I have these big rubber 24"X24" for garage floor panels ..And went out and cut 2 for each speaker..The floor does not vibrate and I do hear little more detail coming out of speakers.. So just trying to give you a cheap way to isolate speakers from floors and see if it makes a difference in your speakers.. As soon as the Blackhawk arrives will give it a chance with my DT 8080 speakers but really thinking of going with Focal Aria 948 and seeing sound difference over the bi polar speakers ..But really wanted to share a cheap way to isolate speakers ..

Of course, everything else sucks. That’s what they all say.

geoffkait which stillpoints did you try

Be a sport they sound great jump on them ASAP!!

Gaia II mounted under ATC SCM 40 active with carpet spikes.  These improved markedly the sound of an already world class speaker.  Improvements are immediate and unquestionably audibly tangible.

Gaia II mounted under ATC SCM 40 active with carpet spikes. These improved markedly the sound of an already world class speaker. Improvements are immediate and unquestionably audibly tangible.

Hi celtic66,
I have the same ATC SCM 40 for about a couple of months now and absolutely love them. Was trying to get the Gaia III but the local dealer says they are all out of stock and may need some time to restock due to the current situation.
I was just wondering why you went with the 2s instead of the 3s?

Regards,
Fazee

On the home site of ATC they have a «calculator»Put in the name of your speakers and the calculator will give you the right Gaia.
Gaia II is correct for ATC SCM 40 
using Gaia II on my ATC SMC 40 btw

Using GAIA II With their carpet spikes under my GE Triton Reference speakers. Resolution went up ten fold. 

Has anyone used the Gaia on standmounts with great success?

And are they better between the speaker and the stand or between the stand and the floor?

And are they better between the speaker and the stand or between the stand and the floor?

Or both together? That’s the question I would like to know.

From current information, Isoacoustics recommend the Orea over Gaia for standmounts on their page if the bookshelf speakers are not fastened or bolted to the speaker stands they sit on. The Orea is the device which goes between the speaker and stand. The Gaia goes between the stand and floor.

Although Isoacoustics didn’t think the one which goes between stand and floor would work as well as the one which goes between speaker and stand, I was hoping the one which goes between stands and floor (Gaia) would work better as I thought the one which goes between speaker and stands made the whole thing look uglier by introducing a large gap between the two interfaces.

An absolute no-doubter upgrade. When i got the Gaia III’s for my old Egglestonworks Emma speakers, the difference was far more substantial than I’d expected.

I’ve since upgraded to the Egglestonworks Kiva speakers, which unfortunately are so heavy that they required me to replace the Gaia III’s with the more expensive I’s but I did so without hesitation and sure enough, they were a big upgrade as well - though slightly less dramatically than with the Emma’s, possibly because the mass of the speakers made the difference smaller.

Ok, but the type of floor makes a difference on the result. In all cases reported herein it would be nice to know what type of floor as well as type of speaker. 

In my case I have Tannoy Sterling GRs. They weigh 55lbs. Currently  my system is on a suspended joist/plywood floor, however will be moving it to a dedicated room having carpet over concrete. 

My thinking is that the Gaia my prove more beneficial over the Tannoy provided spikes or footers in my current situation, but maybe less so once I move my system.

Any thoughts on this? 

From information which I gather from other audio forums, the designer/manufacturer of my loudspeakers as well as a friend who has the Gaia3 installed on his speakers, the general consensus is these isolators will bring an improvement to sound quality regardless of type of flooring. It’s just a matter of big or small difference.

Some people say big difference, some say small but worthwhile difference. My friend mentioned the difference is small but noticeable, a worthwhile addition if one is willing to spend the money. In my friend’s case, it is tiled floor on concrete with a rug.

I’m going to try some soon. I have disregarded the Orea as they will ruin the looks of my speakers if they are installed between the speakers and stands.

By the way, the differences described with the Gaia are improved tighter and cleaner bass with better (clearer) midrange.

Can anybody else who has installed the Gaia on the speakers share your experience as well?

Thanks ryder. I intend to try out the Gaia footers. Likely won't happen til this winter.

Pretty sure if you read through my Townshend Podium review  
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/townshend-audio-podiums-the-full-review 
somewhere in there you will find at least one person who had Gaia and went to Podiums and it was a huge improvement. Of course they also cost a lot more. But you get what you pay for. Whereas with Gaia what you get are barely any better than Nobsound springs. Which 2 sets will cost you about $70. So for just one tenth the cost of Gaia you get 90% of Gaia. If not better than Gaia.   

Nobsound will be a huge improvement, way better than anything you would ever expect for so little money. But while Townshend Podiums are a LOT more expensive, they are also so much better they are worth it. Read the review. Read the others who went that way. Read what the Nobsound people have to say. Gaia is in a no-mans land where you can pay a lot more but have very little to show for it.

I understand your point. I just can’t spend that much on footers etc... They (IsoAcoustics) did improve my system’s sound nicely and I am very happy with them. They also helped my speakers feel far less tippy and secure to the floor which is a nice plus.
Perhaps I will someday find some used Podiums priced right and try them. They come up rarely and when they do they are still out of my price range ☹️.

I use the smallest ones on my Focal Sopra to raise the height of the tweeter (to get the 2’s closer to the height of the Sopra 3’s). They do that well enough and I think look cool. They don’t do anything to the sound, other than the sonic benefits I get from the higher tweeter height. 

The main issue with Nobsound springs is they do not have a threaded base for anchoring to the bottom of stands. They look like the Isopuck or Orea equivalent and not the Gaia. Also, aesthetically they don’t look as good.

The Townshend looks promising as I have read about their effectiveness elsewhere. I am sure they are superb products but just like Grannyring the Townshend are too costly and not within my budget.

Understand the cost factor. Couple things about the Nobsound spring approach. The full 7 springs are never needed. Your speaker would have to be over 200lbs to need all 7. With the center spring removed you drill and tap the center 1/4-20 threads fits most studs on most speakers. Or whatever you have. Now you have a fully adjustable Nobsound spring footer. They are so inexpensive it would still be the way to go even if you had to buy the drill, bit, and tap. Heck you could buy a whole set of drill bits, and a full tap and die set, and the drill AND the Nobsound and STILL be WAY AHEAD of Gaia. 

Then if you don't like the look, so what? Find something you can live with, cover em up. Or cut your own footers from wood, acrylic, Corian, whatever you do like. 1/4" drill bit, springs are a perfect fit. 

Speaking of which, those springs you removed? Drill some 1/4" holes in a piece of wood, MDF, or whatever and you can easily make more footers. I was able to make extra sets for my subs this way. Cannot do this with anything else and another reason Nobsound is a stone bargain.

In summer of 2018 I purchased sistrum platforms by Starsound Technologies (new name since, i think) with a 60 day MBG.  I liked them generally, but thought I should make some comparisons, so I brought in GAIA footers.  Frankly, I found them very very close in performance such that I didn’t feel I could pass a blind test.  While comparing the two, a wise person advised me that much of the improved SQ could be attributed to the increased height. So, I compared the two commercial products to a stack of concrete pavers and sqaures of plywood that raised my speakers the same as them.  Then, I decided to bring on Herbie’s Big Fat Dots—which I put on stacked concrete and wood squares to equal the height of the GAIA’s and Sistrums.  The BFD’s on pavers and wood were the winner.  They actually sounded better. Without revisiting my notes (yes, sadly I have notes) I seem to recall the Herbies on pavers and wood had significantly better LF quality and matched the others in every other way.  BFD’s are something like $10-12 each, so under $100 all-in (I needed 8).  Demo price on Sistrums were almost $800.  GAIA pricing I forget, but I think around $400.  BTW, I’m on a second floor, so it’s suspended with carpet and a pad. No idea if concrete floor would have yeilded different results.  I’ve moved onto a far superieor DIY solution since then—that still incorporates BFD.  And will recieve Nobsound springs any day now.  No matter how good they sound, or don’t—I will be trying Townshend podiums next.

Saving the best for last. What I did too.

From my previous post, I should state the obvious: to my ears, the Herbies BFD sounded better between my speakers and the stack of concrete pavers and wood sqaures than said stack without BFD’s.

My DIY platforms are wood with threaded inserts for 5/16 bolts at the four corners.  They provide 4” of height adjustment and also allowed me to insure plumb/level or rake (forward or backward).  Try this:  Set your speakers on padded carpet on a suspended floor.  Using a level, see if they are plum or level in any direction.  Even if they are, see if the floor itself is level.

My speakers were “listing” like a sailboat in wind.  And when when I set a long level between them, they were not level to each other (nor is the floor).  My platforms allow me to true everything up.  Speakers are level to each other, they are plumb/level so I get them exactly symmetrical to front/side walls and to my ears.  In my room with my gear this has provided outstanding results.  I go to within 1/16” L to R.  The stereo effect and placement of sounds is insane.

My interest in height adjustment came when I noticed singers—and everything else—were lower than they should be.  Then I read a reviewer lament that it is quite common among systems he visits at audio shows.  Note, I wasn’t trying to address perceived shortcomings in frequency response.

My speakers now sit 8 1/8” above grade based on listening tests.  My platforms allow me to listen as I make changes in only one variable:  Height.  Toe and distance to walls are unchanged as I raise (over lower) the speakers that sit on my platforms.

My tweeters are a 1/2” below my ears.  But my baffles slant backwards but I’m not sure if that affects the height they sound best compared with vertical (plumb) baffles.  My tweeters “fire upward” because the baffle slant backwards.  If they fired up like a laser (with zero dispersion), they’d fire about 8” above my ears.  Just an fyi—that they sound great about at ear level despite being raked back.  And the soundstage has been raised nicely as was my original goal. 

My latest experiment is to play with rake to try to get drivers (mine are 2-ways) identical distance from my ears.  Small rake back so far sounding very good, but I let such changes settle in and evaluate them for quite a while.

Nobsound springs will arrive any day.  Townshends will be tried next.

Note:  I will likely switch to a lower chair relatively soon.  Will lower speakers if needed.  I think vertical height adjustment is a largely ingnored parameter.  How could it not matter when every other set-up parameter does?

I have a dilemma which although it is only a minor hurdle in the fitting of the IsoAcoutic’s GAIA I Vibration Absorber Speaker Supports  to my Focal Sopra 2 Floor stander Speakers, I have seen them fitted to these speakers numerous times on YouTube Videos.

When I unscrew the supplied Spike Screws from the Focal Sopra 2 Floor stander Speakers, they hit the underside of the main speaker cabinet which prevents the complete removal of the floor spike screws to fir the new IsoAcoutic’s GAIA I Vibration Absorber Speaker Supports, so the whole Glass Base of the speaker must be able to be removed somehow?

Does any body know if the Glass Base of the Focal Sopra 2 Floor stander Speakers can be removed?
Is the Glass Base screwed to the wooden supports, or is it glued to the underside and can it be removed in an easy manner?
The speakers are difficult to maneuver, plus too heavy to move and turn upside down without assistance to look underneath which is why I am putting forward this forum assistance request.

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks!

Mark

You only need to separate the glass bottom a little in order to remove the spikes.

ozzy