What makes a good speaker stand?

speaker stands depend on the speaker .some speakers like Audionote/harbeth/Epos prefer open frame stands

most of the remaining prefer solid stands..in effect rhey become the "floor" for the speaker ie with infinite mass.

i am not sure as to how stands can "Drain away" vibrations. you can only dissipate vibration..nnot drain it away as it is a physical movement.

coupling decoupling is done by on the speaker to the stand.

you decouple by means of sorbothane, wooden cones, vibrapods, cork, squash balls etc . when you do that the speaker dissipats the vibration


you couple a speaker by means of spikes..even in that case the speaker rocks but less..but mechanically i feel this just puts more stress on the nuts and bolts holding the drivers to the cabinet !!!

hence i prefer decoupling the speakers...

I found this article about a concrete/marble stand - http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/akropolise.html

He suggests decoupling the speakers from the stands using blu tack. Is that the proper way to go? If so, where can I find blu tack? What is its local name?

Neono uses pieces of rubber tyre-tube. Will that work the same as blu tack?

Also, the top of my stands extends about an inch more than the base of my speakers (on all 4 sides). Will this affect the sound? If so, what can I do about it?

well the idea is to use an acoustically inert substance which Blu Tack is supposed to be.

One "tweak" is to use Cork . ideal is squash balls cut in half. i have once tried leather as well. (cut half inch squares from a n old belt and stuck together)

No idea if Blu tack is available here..but if it is it would be in stationary shops and looks like blue Putty !

Leather belt will work? Zhakaas!

you can stick it with fevicol :D..but i would recomend the Squash ball. take the softest one.

where can I find blu tack

Blu Tac is freely avaiable ( was when I last bought 3 months ago ) in Stationery shops in South Mumbai. It costs Rs 120 for a packet .

Its packed in a thin, flat Cardboard packet, about 8 inches long & 4 inches wide.

Ask for : blu tac :-)

Pumice stone that ladies use to scrub their feet, is also recommended on many forums... as good isolators for Speakers and all Hi Fi

Hi Zhopudey,

Rest the speaker directly on the marble / granite surface. Hear the sound carefully. Now apply an accoustic isolator such as blue tac or whatever you intend to. Hear it again. Notice the difference. Stick to what you like.

In my case I liked the former.

Behram

Thats a good idea But the reason I made this thread was to get some fundas about stands. Exactly how does a heavy stand help? How do coupling / decoupling affect the sound?

How do coupling / decoupling affect the sound?

Thats exactly what I wrote, try it out for yourself. Contrary to all the literature available on the net I liked the coupled sound and not the decoupled one.

Why, I just do not know. The difference is apparent at the low end. Check it out for yourself.

Behram.

Behram schrieb:

The difference is apparent at the low end.

Could you please elaborate Berham, what exactly was the difference in low end that you found between the two ?

The Bass becomes tight and well defined.

With the isolators (I used felt) it was loose and boomy.

Behram.

Behram schrieb:

How do coupling / decoupling affect the sound? Thats exactly what I wrote, try it out for yourself. Contrary to all the literature available on the net I liked the coupled sound and not the decoupled one.

actually most literature say that with coupled speaker bass improves !

my liking for decoupled is purely because I have a sub and i feel that preventing the speaker from vibrating may mechanically have an impact (well it is my fear and could be very unfounded ! )

hi zhopudey,

sometime back i came across an article which i found quite interesting

http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/cones/speak.html

you may want to read it, as usual try out a few things and come up with something which makes you settle down eventually

Pics!







Still waiting for the amp. Hopefully I'll get it this week No news from rsindia And I couldn't find any phone number either

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Hey thanks!

Nice Stands !

Too close to the rear wall [your placement]. Your speakers need to be kept at least 18 inches from the rear wall & they should be 6 to 9 feet apart.

Your floor is an absolute no no.
Sparket tiles have to be covered with thick wool carpets or rugs & the stands have no spikes.
Either you put spikes, or you put foam [high density] + thermacol + mdf sandwich between the bottom of the stand and the ground.

Please do this last bit, the sound will improve a lot.

I don't have much space in my room, thats why I went for these nearfield monitors

I'll see what I can do about the stands. Thanks for the tip

Hi !

Do not feel bad, but I have a serious suggestion for you.

Considering the space constraint. You need to buy these 2 things :-

http://www.emu.com/p...ry=491&product=15163

Sound Card

http://www.alteclans...apac&country_code=in

Speakers

Trust me you will be so happy, I cannot begin to explain to you.

Sell off your speakers & stands. Forget the amplifier & enjoy the music. The Speakers will fit on a wall vext to your PC & the sub on the floor. The sound is really nice.

I personally use it with a M - Audio Card.
I am so so happy with it.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT-main.html

This is the card that I use. Really satisfied with its performance.

Take the plunge. Forget all the fuss, do not spend money on an average low fi set up, specially when your space is limited & flooring is the kind that it is.

This is quite funny

I have an EMU 0404. Later on, I'll upgrade to a good DAC. And I just sold off my MX5021s They are completely awesome for the price, but now its time to move on...

You call dynes low-fi? They're about as hi-fi as I can go for now at least. (unless I opt for the diy route).

And I'm working on the flooring issue. Will try to get a rug or carpet.

zhopudey schrieb:

You call dynes low-fi? They're about as hi-fi as I can go for now at least. (unless I opt for the diy route).

Bhai logon sey panga nahin lene ka Boss...Bhai ney kaha low-fi hai toh low-fi hai...
Altec Lansing Zindabad!!!

Forget the jokes;
On a serious front, if 'Z' can place the Dynes in a 'correct manner' & work on the space 'between them' and the 'rear wall' & 'cover the floor with a nice thick woolen carpet & give the speaker some good quality amplification & digital front end [no bee's please], then it makes sense.
Otherwise, it will sound lousy & then the same old story will start that high end is a hog wash & just trying to make a fool of people etc. etc.

If you cannot make the Dynaudio Perform, it will sound very very bad.
Close to a wall & the bass will be 'lumpy' & midrange will be fully 'muffled' etc.

That Sound Card + Active Speakers from Altec is a great solution. It will kill a lot of low - fi to mid - fi set ups if done correctly.

I for 1 am really enjoying it ! No Jokes & I am not trying to patronise anyone here !!!

Dear A.P.
It is not about Dynaudio being low fi.
The question is that in the current set up, as posted by 'Z' the sound will be as bad if not worse than low-fi !!

Please do understand that set up is very very important.
You may have great gear, but if it is not set up well, it just will not sound right.
Besides, equipment that is modestly prices, when set up well, can sound like magic !!

in 'Z' case the speakers are from the lowest series of D.A.
It is like a 'C' Class Mercedes. A nice car [actually OK Car] but it cannot be called a Mercedes, it is a compromise. A Skoda 'Laura' has a better build quality & fit and finish to it !!!

In the same manner, the Audance Series from Dynaudio is not about Dynaudio Sound, it is a compromise design that has the signature of the marketing team all over it !!

I am an ex-dynaudio owner, I used to love the speakers, but the company has lost its focus - sad to say !!!

bhagwan69 schrieb:

That Sound Card + Active Speakers from Altec is a great solution. It will kill a lot of low - fi to mid - fi set ups if done correctly.

Yup, completely agree to that.

As to my setup, I'll keep trying to improve it with help from all of you I'll be shifting to a slightly bigger room next year. I'll get much more scope for proper placement there.

Say bhagwan, what do you think about nearfield speakers? Almost all the pics of studio monitors that I've seen, show them placed close to the walls, close to each other, and close to the listener. Is the sound these recordists and engineers hear in their studios drastically different from what we try to achieve in our homes?

bhagwan69 schrieb:

in 'Z' case the speakers are from the lowest series of D.A. It is like a 'C' Class Mercedes. A nice car [actually OK Car] but it cannot be called a Mercedes, it is a compromise. A Skoda 'Laura' has a better build quality & fit and finish to it !!! In the same manner, the Audance Series from Dynaudio is not about Dynaudio Sound, it is a compromise design that has the signature of the marketing team all over it !! I am an ex-dynaudio owner, I used to love the speakers, but the company has lost its focus - sad to say !!! :cut

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to compare the audience series with other speakers in their price bracket, instead of the Dynes higher up in the chain? ( No offense meant, I am quite inexperienced and unexposed in hifi, and this is just a thought that occured to me).

Skoda vs C-Class is a valid argument. So what would you say are the Laura's in audio which beat Dyne's C-Class?

And please do reply wrt the nearfield issue.

Hi 'Z' !

I will give you my take on this;

I have Never - I repeat NEVER liked the sound in any studio that I have listened to. SO I guess, the fault is is me !!

However, with regards the near field placement, do notice that the near field monitors are on the mixing console & have open space behind them. That is very very important.

The Main speakers provide the fill in for the low frequency, so the sound is balanced out.

zhopudey schrieb:

bhagwan69 schrieb: That Sound Card + Active Speakers from Altec is a great solution. It will kill a lot of low - fi to mid - fi set ups if done correctly. Yup, completely agree to that. As to my setup, I'll keep trying to improve it with help from all of you I'll be shifting to a slightly bigger room next year. I'll get much more scope for proper placement there. Say bhagwan, what do you think about nearfield speakers? Almost all the pics of studio monitors that I've seen, show them placed close to the walls, close to each other, and close to the listener. Is the sound these recordists and engineers hear in their studios drastically different from what we try to achieve in our homes?

Studios are acoustically treated (professionally done).I think "Studio Monitors" are designed for a relatively short distance to the ear ..ie: nearfield. Usually technically correct speakers. A studio monitor would be quite the opposite of a well designed home audio speaker which is voiced by the human ear after they meet the technical spec. In most cases, the home audio speaker will sound more musical than the studio version even though the tech spec says otherwise. This is because they are voiced to sound good with the widest choice of recording material. The studio monitor will have an analytic sound which is more suited to point out microscopic differences in the tone and frequency issues which can be corrected by the sound engineer. Best is to avoid them for home use.

square_wave schrieb:

zhopudey schrieb: bhagwan69 schrieb: . Best is to avoid them for home use.

Perfect.

Do not drive an Off Roader on a race track.
Conversely a family car [sedan] should not be taken on a himalayan rally !!!

Hi Bhagwan,

What do the 2.1 Altec Lancings retail for in India (approx ? )

Amp_Nut schrieb:

What do the 2.1 Altec Lancings retail for in India (approx ? )

Under 8 K.
I have them @ home.
You should listen to them when you come home next, you will really be surprised. May not be good for Audiophile Music, but hindi movis sound tracks + club tracks + trance, boy the speaker really rocks. I have used a half descent sound card from M Audio with it, but it is a free solution. Very nice indeed.

I recommend their purchase very strongly.
I have given their link in an earlier post.
Ex-Stock in Lamington Road.

bhagwan69 schrieb:

Dear A.P. It is not about Dynaudio being low fi. The question is that in the current set up, as posted by 'Z' the sound will be as bad if not worse than low-fi !! Please do understand that set up is very very important. You may have great gear, but if it is not set up well, it just will not sound right. Besides, equipment that is modestly prices, when set up well, can sound like magic !!

I understand what you say sir...
I have myself experienced this quite a few times.
Its the setup which sings and not the individual components.
I understood this when I came across such issues...untill then I was pretty care free. 'Z' will also come across such hurdles and he should have the will to overcome it and end up making his system sing....thats also one of the most exciting part of this hobby. You dont get well cooked food...most of the times you need to painstakingly cook it even though you dont know how to cook . But at the end the results are soooooo sweet that you end up being really happy about the whole process and then you are a complete "AUDIOPHILE"

Thanks AP
Well put.

My food for sure is still in the vegetable market, I still have to buy it, then cut it, then marinate it, then cook it, then garnish it, then serve it & fnally [God only knows when] eat it, hopefully - someday !!!

But you are on the correct track. You will get close to your goal some day. Keep experimenting & listening to various set ups. It will teach you a lot !!

bhagwan69 schrieb:

My food for sure is still in the vegetable market, I still have to buy it, then cut it, then marinate it, then cook it, then garnish it, then serve it & fnally [God only knows when] eat it, hopefully - someday !!!

I know what you are saying..

But you are on the correct track.

And I want 'Z' to accompany me as well...

How was the show ?

I can't cook. Does maggi count? I make awesome maggi

Wheeeeee! Got the McCormack DNA 125 Here are my initial noobish reactions -

1> Hmmm, its heavy
2> Wow! Everything works
3> Ohh, its loud! Can't take volume above 15-20%

My setup is currently even worse than the one Bhagwan69 criticised MY LCD has gone for repairs, and I have a big fat CRT right between the speakers.

I'll keep posting about my experience, and will try to do whatever I can w.r.t. the room acoustics (with advice from you all :))


The Adventure Begins!!!

ENJOY what you have. DONT be hyper-critical...

Like the Sunscreen song says :

"Dont Read Beauty Magazines,

They Will Only Make You Feel UGLY ! "

Ohh you bet I'm enjoying But then this was a very very big investment for me, and I would like to make the most of it


Edit: Noob query - I'm getting a good center image. Norah Jones is crooning at me from inside my crt monitor (maybe it would help if I keep her pic as wallpaper)At the same time, various instruments are playing from left or right. Is this the soundstaging thing?