So, “Audio Science Review” really doesn’t like this video

I would rather he tested floor standing speakers, but his conclusion (favoring absorbing isolation, not hard transfer spikes) matches my own conclusion after many years.

Years ago, I thought I was so smart when I removed the wheels of my JSE Model II’s and installed spikes (on my springy wood floor).

SOLID, all intended movement gets to the cones, right? All that weight onto 4 small discs is soooo much more weight per area, just tons of force, right?

After a few years, I put 3 wheels back on, (two front, 1 center rear, with rear anti-tip corner blocks just shorter than the wheel, only contact if the speaker tilts while moving it). I didn’t measure with a mic, but I heard no detriment, and got back the ease of positioning and alternate toe-in. 

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11516

BTW, dual wheel furniture casters, the axels do not wobble like single wheel casters do (even high quality ones I tried). The block above the 2 front wheels tilts the speakers back, aiming the tweeters to seated ear height. 

In this case, the skirt acts as the anti-tipping blocks in the rear corners.

So, my 6 wheels are hard plastic, the contact area small, not absorbent, it's a matter of enough weight relative to the wheel's diameter, so they stay put, but you can move them readily.

I gave the spikes to my friend, he has them on floor standers, on a concrete basement floor, no movement possible, and his imaging is great, only if you sit in the middle, I would put his on 3 dual wheel casters like mine, slightly smaller diameter for his, to use an alternate toe in for 2 listeners. His are narrow, taller, tweeter at seated ear height, so no tilt is needed. I prefer shorter, both inward angle and tilt to alter the angles of reflections off the floor, ceiling, side walls, especially minimize woofer floor reflection

I played around with this a bit.

The vibration, generated from the speaker, is measurable with an Iphone app. The Vibration can travel down the stands and transmit to the floor. In the video he had very well damped stands with lots of mass so that was taken care of. However, he still had vibration in the speaker itself.

Could there be an improvement by using a 'shock absorber' to damp the speaker itself? Is there possibly a microphonic effect on the internal crossover?

I achieved the same reduction in vibration by setting my speakers on square blocks of upholstery foam. The vibration was greatly reduced. I've also heard that soft yellow squash balls also work well.

There is also a method used by speaker builders that use a soft glue to reduce vibration on the crossover by anchoring the components to the circuit board. This is to prevent microphonics as well.  Just a few small connecting dots of soft glue reduce movement. A capacitor attached only by solder to it's leads can vibrate excessively.

my electrovoice crossovers, made in 1958, are in the photo above, x336, a metal can painted grey, filled with tar. I thought, age, make some new ones. Custom builders advised me they last forever, as do the drivers of the horns (impregnated linen). I did burn a tweeter coil blasting Iron Butterfly way back when. Playing the reel to reel version, you can make out the drunken ’in the garden of eden’ ....

I think his conclusions are similar to my experience throughout the years.

"The mic drop seemed to really irritate some people there. Or I don’t know, maybe it was something in one of my posts in reply - l’ll never know now."

Or perhaps it was the fact he trusted his ears and not measurements alone?  

I tried to watch but lost interest immediately.  

@mapman that’s OK, Mark might not be for everyone. I just thought the way he and his associate did the ABX test with control was unusually well executed. That and I like my humor very dry. Plus his results hint that phenomena like human experience of soundstage in the listening position is currently very difficult to model with a microphone and computer software.  Ears and brains may still actually rule in some cases.

kn

@buzz +1

Personally, I could give a flyin' f about Steve G's exhibition, as what he's hearing isn't what we are....due to our equipment repro'ing what he's doing with however he's recording it with.

...rather listen to this , with my own speakers without spikes on a concrete floor.

Gives the woofs a good dusting.
The vid central 'image' reminds me of some ancient corn cob from the stalk that was grown in some very strange soil....

....but I'm like that....In it to grin it....;)
Have a good weekend...J

Thanks for this. I enjoyed the video, and agree completely with the basic takeaway.

I don't think that there is any question that well-deigned dampening devices are superior to spikes and cone designs, and for the reason that Mark describes: the latter are actually coupling devices.

While I believe that Townshend are likely the best dampening devices on the market, I use IsoAcoustics GAIAs, as like Mark in the video, I have stand mounted speakers. Interesting, Karl-Heinz Fink, the brilliant, in my view, designer of my Fink Team KIM speakers, employed an uncommon approach to the interface between the stand and speaker: they are integral. In other words, the stands, which are neither very heavy, nor filled with lead or sand, are firmly attached to the speakers themselves at the factory. This design allows users to employ any types of footers that they like to the stands, and mitigate vibration issues in that manner.

So, I use the GAIAs as feet, and to excellent effect. The difference between the sound with spikes, and the GAIAs, is quite clear. Less smearing, better imaging, and tighter bass are all noteworthy.

As for the Audio Science crew, it's hard to tell what took that discussion off the rails. But given what I believe to be well understood about the distinctions between coupling and damping devices, which is the essence of the video, I don't know what serious objections might have been made relating to Mark's conclusions.

Well I don’t agonize over things like this the way a lot of audiophiles do.  When GAIAs first were introduced to rave reviews, I tried them and really liked them.  The first place I installed them was under my Sony SS-AR2 floor standers on a slate covered, steel reinforced concrete slab floor in my home in South Florida.  They amazed me.  Recently I installed another set of GAIA IIIs under a pair of B&W 802 D Diamonds in our summer home in New Hampshire.  This is a hardwood floor over a basement, somewhat spongey and again the improvement was astounding.  I have also used GAIAs, under three turntables with excellent results.  So it is no surprise to me to learn that others have similar experience.     

Here is an excellent article on this subject from the March 2022 issue of Positive Feedback:
 

Ten Misconceptions about Loudspeaker Spikes

I find what I call alligators along side the road .if you follow big trucks to close they throw things at you.its great for the environment because I clean the spent tire parts that's part of a big government grant I got it's working great.the side deal is my friend has this business chopping the alligators up ie tires and they use it for playground material. I figure what's good for the kids is good insulation for the speakers heck tires make your car ride better. After all most of these isolators are made of rubber.then I go to harbor freight and buy these expensive isolators called carpet dollies.i have my 700 lb magico q7 on them and roll them around for exercise.reminds me of Jane fonda. I think the drop the mic moment was a bit of humor and he stated he didn't know how to interput the data and that hurt some feelings. Having done alot of research there is scientific data variance. Enjoy the experience stay healthy don't eat red dye and keep happy.

@sargonicuse excellent read - thanks for sharing!