Speaker stand design - Is this a good idea?

For something a little bit naturally "sticky" to prevent speaker slipping, and for improving LS3/5A performance at the same time, look into Herbiesaudiolab.com Black MiniDots. At checkout, these are the "smaller" Big Fat Black Dots (confusing terminology).
Better than Blue-Tack for enabling best performance , and still reasonably priced at $6.45 each, with three per speaker to provide support/vibration control.
My Spendor LS3/5A's sounded better with Herbie's support.

I strongly favor sticky stuff instead of the little fence. I have peeled off veneer with Blu-Tak, and have learned from my mistake.

If the veneer is applied after the boxes are built, it's probably not stuck on as well as if the box is made from pre-veneered MDF. I think the Harbeths probably are made from pre-veneered MDF. The veneer that I peeled off was applied after the raw boxes were built.

There's a yellow product called Handitak that is less sticky than the original Blu-Tak, and so it is less likely to damage the veneer. It will still stick the speakers very very securely to the stand. I bought a pair of Harbeths at an audio show once, and they were using Handitak to stick them to the stands. Just use a little bit - about the size of the eraser on the end of a pencil. It will spread out when squished, so don't put it right at the edge of either the speaker or the stand or else it will show.

The technique I use for removing the speaker from the stand is to slowly twist the speaker, instead of just prying it up. I think this is a bit less likely to damage the veneer.

For the ultimate precaution, paint the top of the stands with black craft paint. This will stick to the stand's surface strong enough to hold the speakers securely, but will not stick stronger than the veneer sticks to the underlying wood. So this way if something gives as you separate speaker from stand, it will be the cheap craft paint instead of the expensive veneer. Once you can get to the Handitak with your fingers, it is pretty easy to remove from the bottom of the speaker.

I use Handitak on my stand-mounted speakers at audio shows.

If you can't get Handitak there in India, shoot me an e-mail with your full address and I will send you a lifetime supply.

Duke

Thanks guys for all your recommendations.

I think I will settle for blu-tak or handitak neither of which are available in India. Might just have to wait till my next trip to the US.

Will either of the following interfere with the quality of the sound:
1. The top plate of the stand is 9 inches square while the Harbeth is 8 inches square?
2. The fence 0.5 inch high

Thanks all.
Audiokinesis, appreciate your long detailed reply and offer for a life time supply.

Cheers,

Vish

Interesting post as this is the first of its kind I've ever read about creating a little 'fence' around the top plate of speaker stands.

For what it's worth, no matter what kind of flooring, any bookshelves will be susceptible to damage if they topple over even on thick carpets. Hence the best idea of preventing them from getting damaged is by taking extra precaution when moving around your speakers. YOu have got good suggestions and I definitely prefer Blu-tac over the idea your local dealer has suggested.

The last question is would you be able to accept the aesthetics of that 'fencing' around your speakers? Even if it's a yes, they will still topple over if you are a careless person. Don't be surprise if the stands themselves go tumbling down together with the speakers with a hard knock. Then maybe we should create a higher 'fencing' around the stands? Pardon my sacarsm but just another way of putting the message accross the board.

Interesting post as this is the first of its kind I've ever read about creating a little 'fence' around the top plate of speaker stands.

For what it's worth, no matter what kind of flooring, any bookshelves will be susceptible to damage if they topple over even on thick carpets. Hence the best idea of preventing them from getting damaged is by taking extra precaution when moving around your speakers. YOu have got good suggestions and I definitely prefer Blu-tac over the idea your local dealer has suggested.

The last question is would you be able to accept the aesthetics of that 'fencing' around your speakers? Even if it's a yes, they will still topple over if you are a careless person. Don't be surprise if the stands themselves go tumbling down together with the speakers with a hard knock. Then maybe we should create a higher 'fencing' around the stands? Pardon my sacarsm but just another way of putting the message accross the board.