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Under my tower speakers -- Isoacoustics Gaia, other options?

I have Ascend towers (45lbs each) on a concrete floor covered in thin wall to wall with an area rug on top of that. I am looking into different footers for my speakers and am curious what people with towers on concrete have tried and liked.

To my mind, something as expensive as Townshend platforms do not seem worth it, as they'd cost about a third of the price of the speakers themselves.

If you've tried Gaia III isolators or other kinds of feet for your speakers, especially on concrete floors, I'm curious to hear your observations. Thanks.

hilde45

Showing 3 responses by fleschler

fleschler
2,046 posts
 

I am considering the Podiums for my 185lb speakers. I live in an semi-active seismic area (San Fernando Valley). I currently use Legacy spikes on a very thick carpet/pad over a 12" poured concrete 3000psi steel reinforced slab. The podium could add greater stability and probably more defined sound (it’s already quite good).  However, the C type podium at $1800 price is 75% of the price of my speakers.  Probably worth it.

I tried Gaias (borrowed from a neighbor) under equipment. I prefer Ultra SS Stillpoints and Synergistic Research MigSx. I have ordered Pods for my CD transport and Platforms for both pre-amp and amp. It’s possible to upgrade my vibration isolation with Townshend products. I’ve been using the wonderful Seismic Sink under my terrible non-isolating VPI TNT VI for 17 years (pump it 5 pumps every six weeks-no big deal).

fleschler
2,046 posts
 

 

@jtcf Thank you for positing this.  The video confirms what I heard with my first set of Pods under my CD transport.  I am pending receipt of Platforms for my pre-amp and amp.  (I have a 17 year old seismic sink which is essential for my VPI TNT VI-otherwise, I would replace it with a Platform).  

The podium prices are reasonable for most speakers.  The use for the subwoofer could be enhanced with a plate covering the cut-out logo in the middle of the podium.  As is, it's obvious that downfiring woofers or ports could react negatively to the cut-out.

fleschler
2,046 posts
 

My second listening room's Legacy Signature IIIs have a down firing woofer.  I use a very heavy 2" thick Mapleshade block under them.  They previously sounded best on spiked carpet/slab.  They did not sound good with a 1" thick granite shelf under them. The CD player and small tube pre-amp sit on large buckwheat pillows (the EAR 324 also sat on a pillow for best sound).  The tube amp sits on a marble deck.  

I listened to nearly the entirety of the video, skipping some of the Isoacoustics sound examples (I already knew what they did to the sound and didn't have to hear the entire music to affirm that).  

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