Spikes on loudspeaker stands

[StarEye]

Hello,
I am in the process of assembling loudspeaker stands. On the base plate there are spikes connecting the stand to the floor.
According to the assembly instructions, on the top part, between the stand and the loudspeaker I have the choice between:
1) another set of spikes
2) rubber pads
What is the recommended way to place the loudspeakers on the stands, (1) or (2)
Cheers

 

[Cosmic Char]

It would depend on whether you have carpet/area rug or hard flooring. Tile/concrete/wood/laminate use rubber pads. Carpet/area rud use spikes.

 

[StarEye]

Hello,
The stands they have spikes on the lower part.
My question was related to the top part of the stand.
Between the loudspeaker and the top part of the stand, is it better to have another set of spikes or rubber pads? In which condition it would be preferable to have one instead of the other?

 

[Cosmic Char]

Is the stand matched to the speakers? I would think the spikes would damage the cabinetry. I would use the rubber pads.

 

[j_garcia]

I would not use spikes on the top side. I usually stick those in a drawer and eventually find something else to do with them, but between stand and speaker, rubber, foam, drawer liner, whatever works.

 

[lovinthehd]

I wouldn't use spikes between my speakers and stands, that's weird. What speakers/stands do you have?
I use putty on my metal stands partly to secure them, partly to separate the bottom of the speaker from the stand.

 

[StarEye]

Hello,
The stands are Soundstyle Z2. I give you the link to a review because the manufacturer website is extremely basic http://www.whathifi.com/soundstyle/z2/review
In the end I removed the spikes and placed the rubber pads.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

That review is funny tbh. But to answer the question I would also go with rubber under the speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

Hello,
The stands are Soundstyle Z2. I give you the link to a review because the manufacturer website is extremely basic http://www.whathifi.com/soundstyle/z2/review
In the end I removed the spikes and placed the rubber pads.

Hopefully you didn't fall for the "Can boost your speakers' detail, attack and openness" nonsense and chose these stands for practical instead of marketing reasons....

 

[j_garcia]

I wouldn't use spikes between my speakers and stands, that's weird. What speakers/stands do you have?
I use putty on my metal stands partly to secure them, partly to separate the bottom of the speaker from the stand.

I used Auralex MoPads on my stands. Since they absorb vibration, the speakers don't move around at all. They're old PE stands that have really large top platforms and weigh something like 24lbs each with no fill. I got them because they're intended for heavy speakers and my old mains were 38lbs each. So they're overkill for the current ones, but I like them.

You can see in the pic here these stands include the spikes for the platform too

 

[Cosmic Char]

I used Auralex MoPads on my stands. Since they absorb vibration, the speakers don't move around at all. They're old PE stands that have really large top platforms and weigh something like 24lbs each with no fill. I got them because they're intended for heavy speakers and my old mains were 38lbs each. So they're overkill for the current ones, but I like them.

You can see in the pic here these stands include the spikes for the platform too

I would just hate to damage cabinetry, given the option.

 

[lovinthehd]

I used Auralex MoPads on my stands. Since they absorb vibration, the speakers don't move around at all. They're old PE stands that have really large top platforms and weigh something like 24lbs each with no fill. I got them because they're intended for heavy speakers and my old mains were 38lbs each. So they're overkill for the current ones, but I like them.



You can see in the pic here these stands include the spikes for the platform too

Interesting....what are the spikes on the platform supposed to do? Anchoring foam? Putty is far less expensive than buying overpriced foam from Auralex and protects the speaker cabinets just fine and looks better without a layer of foam as well...IMO of course.

 

[j_garcia]

The Auralex works really well. I bought them originally to angle my center down when I had it mounted high, but when I wall mounted the TV, I was able to bring it down and didn't need them for that anymore. So I already had them... Not fond of the way it looks, but I don't notice it either, and neither does anyone else.

The spikes would have been to isolate the speaker from transmitting as much vibration directly to the stand, but really not a great idea in most cases. My piano gloss won't like it for sure.

 

[lovinthehd]

Do spikes really prevent or amplify such vibration in such an instance? https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/speaker-spikes-and-cones-2013-what2019s-the-point

 

[j_garcia]

Spikes force the vibration into fewer spots, but they don't actually prevent transmission. Spikes couple so there is still a direct connection while soft materials decouple by dissipating the transmitted vibration. In my various trials, decoupling seemed to have benefits.

 

[lovinthehd]

Never tried myself although I probably have sufficient floor spikes to rig something, but like you no spikes into the piano black finish. I thought it was very interesting in that article where it mentions a measurement of spikes between speaker and stand where it magnified the vibrations. My cabinets are relatively inert so not too worried about transmitting vibration that putty can't handle...

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

I personally use poster tacky like this link...

http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Poster-Reusable-Adhesive-E1531/dp/B000BKQDB4

 

[j_garcia]

I personally use poster tacky like this link...

http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Poster-Reusable-Adhesive-E1531/dp/B000BKQDB4

That's the same thing lovinthehd is talking about. I use Blu-tack. Museum putty, they're basically all the same thing.

 

[lovinthehd]

That's the same thing lovinthehd is talking about. I use Blu-tack. Museum putty, they're basically all the same thing.

Yup, found the museum putty cheaper initially. I also use the putty to seal up my speakon terminals on my diy speakers/subs.