Speaker vibration isolation

Extensive discussion on this topic here. I've since moved to Magico M3s with MPods which perform the same isolation role. I'd certainly never go back to a spike based solution

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/speaker-isolation-experience-with-townshend-seismic-isolation...

Folkfreak, thank you for a prompt response. Specifically, I am curious as to whether Iso’s Gaia would significantly improve my system (yours is the stuff of dreams). I have Martin Logan speakers. I can only assume that unlike traditional push/ pull speakers MLs must generate quite a bit of vibration since there isn’t a cabinet to offset it. 

    I use the Gaia 2 on my sound anchor stands for my Maggie 1.6qr. They absolutely make a significant difference positively on the overall performance and tonality of the speakers. I can't recommend them highly enough. They are one of the greatest improvements that I have found and I've tried many different things in this crazy hobby. Lol......Dante 

Although I haven't tried them, the Townshends are on my short list. 

I have classic suspended wood floors and stick Vibrapods under my Klipsch Heresy III speakers, and did so with my previous faves Silverline Preludes. Works really well in decoupling the speakers from the floor and 'pods don't cost much.

Thank you for the Vibrapod recommendation.

I have Martin Logan’s 13a, which, I assume, is a whole different kettle of fish than push/ pull speakers if for no other reason that you don’t have the cabinet to consider when the vibration reflects. Yet, they probably cause a lot of vibration, ironically, for the same reason. That is, in EL speakers the vibration isolator may be a huge boost, or a bust. 

The isoacoustics Gaia have been a nice improvement on 6 different speakers I have tried them on including 2 pairs of King Sound electrostatic speakers along with box speakers . Buy them from a place that has a 30 day return policy . 

Thank you very much for the prompt responses. 

The Vibrapods recommendation ..makes ZERO sense on so many levels. Avoid that, like a plague!!!

Relatively inexpensive Vibrapods accomplish exactly the same thing as any other vibration absorbing item noted here...they turn vibration into heat, keep speaker vibration from getting to the floor, and make speakers sound more focused. That's what I and many others have experienced. Read up Slaw, or explain yourself, or not...at this point it sort of makes no difference.

Without mentioning any names, somebody is not yet on board the mass-on-spring vibration isolation train 🚂. There is a reason why some isolation devices are more complex and more expensive than others. For example, let’s take two parameters for example, resonant frequency and number of directions of motion. All aboard the mass-on-spring isolation train 🚂Toot! Toot!

specifically the ones that replace the spikes as opposed to the stands?

Always spike into a cement slab floor, especially if it’s laid on mother earth.

Good test if you can feel through your bare feet drop something heavy dropped on the floor, if not spike into it, if you can feel it don’t spike (couple), as the floor will become a sound board for the bass notes and muddy the bass.

Best in this situation is to isolate (decouple) the speaker from the floor, numerous ways, cheapest I found without being ripped off by "audiophile products" is with heavy duty "Sorbothane" pads like these, there many if you search, 4 of these "70 duro" will take a 52kg speaker.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SRM-TECH-SORBOTHANE-ISOLATION-RINGS-HEAVY-DUTY-70-DURO-4-PACK/332856500...

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC0.A0.H0.Xsorbothane...

Whatever you do DON"T put your speakers on springs, they'll wobble around like jelly, and your image will be shot to hell. 

Cheers George

For starters, getting back to reality for a moment, Vibrapods are not (rpt not) designed to support objects with high centers of gravity. You know, like speakers. They the Vibrapods don’t have enough lateral support. That’s why you see a lot of designs for speakers with the capability for obtaining very wide footprints. It’s to get the necessary lateral support. Otherwise the speakers would just flop over.

@georgehifi   My speakers are sitting on plush carpet with pad over a "floating concrete slab". I too believed that coupling (spiking) them through the carpet to the slab would be the way to go...until it wasn't.

After decoupling there is no going back. Cleaner, clearer sound.

I too believed that coupling (spiking) them through the carpet to the slab would be the way to go...until it wasn't.

If it was a proper building slab of concrete some 2ft thick around the edge and some 6'-8" thick for the rest, if this wasn't best, then something else is at play.
https://s.hswstatic.com/gif/house-slab.gif

Cheers George

I feel it’s only fair to interject that whilst cement slabs do have their advantages they are nevertheless subject to the very low frequency vibration produced by the motion of the Earth’s crust, which pushes the cement slab just a tad. That is why mass on spring isolation is effective on cement slabs.

So, if I am to understand the dialogue, Martin Logans currently spiked to suspended wooden floors should benefit by a decoupling agent like the Giai 2. Right?

Typo: Gaia 

I would image dipoles do not produce much downward force compared with box speakers, thus reducing or maybe eliminating feedback problems. Whether dipoles benefit from isolation themselves, color me skeptical.

Add me to the Gaia success story club.
I put Gaia 1 on my speakers and never took them out. They work really well. My speakers are not electrostatic, so not sure if my feedback would help you. I can also confirm that what is written above matches with my experience as well. Classic suspended wood floors benefit a lot from the type of isolation Gaia provides. Solid concrete slab - not so much, if there is any difference at all. 
Get the Gaias and try them. Most likely you would get very good results. You can return them at most places they sell them. Unlike cables and electronics, you don't need to wait for a burn-in period. You should hear the difference immediately. If you don't - return them.
BTW, I really like the Gaias on my speakers, but my curiosity made me order some Stillpoints 6 to try as well. It would be nice to compare them with the Gaia. 

I purchased these footers that go inbetween your speakers and your stands. They're from a Swedish manufacture, Sonic Design. You can purchase them here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonic-Design-Damping-Feet-for-Loudspeakers-HiFi-Equipment-50-100-Kg-Set-of-...

Apparently they work quite good, will report on results once I have them in place.

The Gaia I's were of great benefit to my speakers even on a cement slab floor. One note on the Gaia's is that they are directional and need to be properly oriented with the label either facing forward or backwards. Like many have already mentioned they come with a 30 day return policy, so they are well worth a try. I was prepared to send them back if they didn't provide a noticeable sonic improvement......they've never left my speakers. Lastly, I have my installed with the Sound o City outriggers which look great together and add more stability. 

notesaddict OP29 posts11-05-2018 7:04amSo, if I am to understand the dialogue, Martin Logans currently spiked to suspended wooden floors should benefit by a decoupling. Right?

Correct I have Monolith III's on a suspend wood floor, my bass cleaned up considerably when I decoupled them from it.

Cheers George

Blu Tack between my suspended wood floors and my Infinity RS1b mid/high tower feet. Reasonably priced and works well. 

here's an objective test some people may find valuable, though it is for studio monitors rather than floor standing speakers.

My guess would be that floor standing speakers have even more weight (to driver ratio) and less vibration.

http://ethanwiner.com/speaker_isolation.htm

I did listen to a demonstration of Focal speakers with and without isolation products applied at Rocky Mountain audio Fest in Denver Colorado (2018). The isolation product was impressive, in that it seems to clear up the vocals, but it also raised the speaker a couple of inches, which means that the Tweeter was in a different position, which could lead to the same effect.

Just wanted to add my experience to those who have found a significant benefit when adding Gaia's to speakers formerly spiked to a concrete slab.  I have no explanation or technical expertise, but the improvement in image clarity was not small and (to me) well worth the cost.

My Klipsch Heresy IIIs must have pretty low center of gravity buy I don't take 'em out on the road much to see how they corner, and when I used Vibrapods with a higher center of gravity "tower" speaker they worked great with those also...'pods are omni directional...obviously...if they're too inexpensive for some I get that...enjoy uber expensive whatever ya want, but keep yer grubby hands off my 'pods!

Boenicke speakers employ a unique swing base isolation system. They are hung on stainless steel cables at the back and rest on a ceramic ball in cups at the front. They work really well and contribute to the clarity of these speakers.

Stevenwall’s post with the attached article certainly gives me pause. In any case, I am going to wait for d2girls report before committing. Thank you all for your interest in this matter, you’ve been most helpful. 

Nothing beats clay ceramic patio stones with 1'' thick fiber pads made for floor polishers available at the Depot for a few bucks more, topped off with a 1/4" rubber mat. A 17X12 fiber scratch pad will take a lot of weight.

Clay ceramic is the key to blocking those lower frequencies