childproofing rear speakers

Kjweisner and Dbw1,

I have a similar, though different issue of the same sort. I have a great Dane, who indiscriminatly runs about the house some times, and frequently runs into things. She has even damaged walls in her little sprints.

While Kjweisner's ideas are OK, no disrespect Kj, but I think anything on stands CAN fall, and children only get larger. They might not topple it NOW but can soon. Check the AMA for the articles of adults toppling vending machines and dying if you doubt me. I personally have gone to floor standers for rears and recomend it to everyone. I use the same or one down in a products line and am much less worried about them falling over.

Sure, it might seem extreme, but the stands and lead shot Kj is suggesting will cost you as much as the upgrade to larger floor based speakers, and you'll end up with better sound.

My 0.02.

KT

No disagreement about the cost of the stands/shot (did I mention the OCD?). The stand were $200, and about the same for the shot. But I got a smoking deal on these speakers ($600 vs $1200) so I was still ahead of the game, but that's not really my point.

I don't wish to sound defensive. . .Kenny's alternative is a good one, but it was recommended primarily as rebuttal on the 'demerits' of my method, so I'll offer some additional comments.

I have a separate Meridian digital theater and a separate BAT/Magneplanar 2-channel setup, both with floor standers, so I'm not an evangelist for monitors. I went this route because I already had the CDMs on hand and wanted to make use of them in the family room, where I didn't want to put a $5k speaker in harm's way.

Are floor standers less prone to getting toppled than stand mounteds? I'll enthusiastically agree, which is why I did what I did. But now, my mass loaded and bolted down setup has such a low and heavy center of gravity, they are significantly more stable than my Meridian DSP5000s (which are pretty heavy due to built-in DACs and 225 watts of amplification). And the CDM1-NTs are a fine sounding speaker regardless of box size, and worthy of a solid foundation.

I'm pretty sure that vending machines are not stand mounted, so the comparison is equally apt with any speaker. . .if enough force is applied, I'm sure you could pull that Wilson Audio MAXX, Dali Megaline, or PBN Montana WAS onto yourself and experience a literal moment of killer sound !

"You'll end up with better sound" from floor based speakers is a pretty bold statement and would certainly invite a debate of what constitutes better sound. . .is it frequency response? imaging? PRAT? soundstaging? timbral accuracy? in-room response/interaction? Clearly, every speaker is a mix/compromise of these and more. Box size (or complete lack thereof such as with 'stats and planars) is not the final arbiter of better sound. All three of my systems sound pretty different (and terrific)!

At any rate, since DBw1 already has monitors, my post was meant to respond directly to his question "Anyone with experience in this area?" Again, I don't mean to sound defensive (truly), but wanted to suggest that there's not "one true way."

These are some good ideas so far. Thanks to all. I have tried floorstanding rears in the past, and didn't like them b/c the it seemed like the sound was just going into the back of the couch (which it was). I like the idea of mounting to the rear wall, which is only a couple feet behind where they are now. Less optimal positioning, but who cares in the name of safety.

BTW, I too have a great dane! Don't worry KT, she will calm down in a year or so as all danes do. Mine used to knock the sliding glass door off the track in his laps around the house. In those days, I only had the two speakers, and they were kept right at the wall b/c of him (ick).

Are there ways to mount to the back wall that do not involve screwing into the speakers? Also, there is a radiator in one corner. How high above a radiator do you think a speaker ought to be mounted? -Dave

Kj,

I in no way was trying to rile you, I agree with your ideas, though even to me my initial post didn't seem to enthusiastically reflect that, sorry. I was refferring to 'better sound' as if you go to floor standers further up the line of the same speakers you will have better bass response from the surrounds which I find is a concept most people don't seem to appreciate, I should have expanded on that to be clearer.

You are correct, he does have the monitors now and I do agree your solution is a good one, you have yourself pointed out the downsides, my option isn't without downsides either. I personally would go the floorstander route, but that is me, I have had my dog knock some speakers off the stands, granted mine aren't filled with all that shot, but I think her body height actually contacts the speakers so it might not help unless I did bolt them down, which I am not willing to do.

I used to own the Snell K.5's, you won't need to worry about the grill, it's perforated metal and pretty solidly held in place.

Kj, I run Meridian in my reference system as well, though not the full digital setup, it's amazing gear! Sorry if I seemed antagonistic, it wasn't intended, it was more a reflection of my strong beleif in full sized speakers for surrounds. I feel this is a concept sorely missing in most HT and MCA set ups.

KT

1-I would put something on top of the radiator or under the speaker to block the heat if you are that close. Veneer will delaminate over time.
2-Velcro is a great invention. It may discolor a patch either on the rear or underneath the speaker but should be sufficient in strenth to hold a small strap. You may even be able to put it where the speaker terminals are. However, you could even tie to the speaker terminals? They are usually quite well mounted and shouldn't have any problems as long as the speaker wire isn't interferred with.