One opinion doesn’t support fact in every case. I noticed some minor cosmetic damage while installing the isolators…& it’s insignificant in retrospect. I didn’t have the ones that Jim includes with his towers (installed on the plinths). The original design allows you to decouple the towers from the floor using the included spikes). I have hardwood floors so I never used ‘em to avoid potential damage to my floor. I purchased the GAIA II isolators and they solved my issue with resonances being transferred to my floor space…particularly when listening at louder volumes (above 70 db). The Encores benefit from decoupling given these speakers can play down to 26Hz. The separation disperses the energy from vibrating to my floor surface (compared to the plinths sitting directly onto the floor). To what degree? I don’t know. I don’t rely on measurements as a user. I do know there’s less effect to the floor and windows in my space. I’m not telling anyone to buy the GAIA II isolators. That’s a personal decision and someone else’s money. I dare not speak in either regard as a result. I see no real value in doing so. Who benefits?
I bought my Encores unheard as many here have from Jim. If I use your premise & logic…that’s foolery. My advice to you would be not to do that. It’s off putting and therefore your message if any is quickly disregarded. What’s unreasonable to you is well…unreasonable to you. It doesn’t ever transfer to other peoples lives in a meaningful way.
I have worked with a local woodworker to great effect on other projects (REL sub finished in walnut-see pic)… and was thinking about replacing the plinths merely for cosmetic reasons. For example…if the plinths are removable I could have ‘em made out of walnut to match the finish on the towers.
This hobby is the one journey that I’ve had in life free of dictators. We get to try stuff that as we see fit. This idea that we should do this or should do that has no place in this wonderful hobby. For those who think otherwise…I would recommend finding another hobby if you cannot tolerate the many choices available for others to make.
You should take the advice that you’ve volunteered. Your reply isn’t applicable nor helpful. In retrospect the damage that I previously noted is insignificant and not entirely relative to the GAIA II isolator installation.
If I follow your premise I wouldn’t own Encores given I purchased ‘em unheard and based on Jim’s input. The Encores work for me…based on Jim’s input…and the GAIA II isolators decouple ‘em from my hardwood floors. This reduces the vibrations from the cabinet energy when the volume is above 70 db. The Encores play down to 26Hz-32hz. This translates to floor-and-window rattling in my space. I have a preference to reduce that effect whether heard or not at all listening levels. There are other isolators and solutions. I chose the GAIA II. My money, my choice, my experience, my solution.
I don’t use the plinth spikes that Jim includes with the speakers. As aforementioned…I have hardwood floors. After installing the isolators the energy is tamped down quite a bit. I don’t experience room rattle with the speakers decoupled from the floor. I’ve concluded the energy is dissipated/dispersed/absorbed into the GAIA feet &/or the decoupling eliminated the effect of the energy transferring into the floor/walls/windows. Who knows? The install works for my application. I’m not here to sell anything to anyone. Try ‘em or don’t try ‘em. Your choice. You can return the GAIA isolators for a full refund on Amazon. No risk to a buyer. I can say that for all audio equipment or accessories. So what’s the beef?
I don’t get people like you on forums saying what one should or should not do? Have you tried the item? If not then you cannot speak intelligently with facts about whether the item has a positive or negative or neutral effect on YOUR set up. How you spend your money and how you think are your personal preferences and rights
i’ve reached out to Jim. I hadn’t heard back yet. I was simply trying to see if other owners had replaced their plinths or removed ‘em for whatever reason…given speakers can be damaged even if you don’t buy the GAIA’s. There are many reasons that a speaker can be damaged. It’s presumptive to conclude it’s the user. I digress…but I’m sad to see Jim go away…many owners will still need some level of advice or repair service advice down the stretch of ownership.
I’ve worked with a woodworker on a REL sub to great effect (see pic). So…I thought if the plinths are removable I could have a wood worker make plinths out of walnut to match my Encore 3 speakers. That simple. That may be foolery and have no effect on how the speakers perform. Who cares? I like the look of walnut (preference). I’ve been into stereo gear since I listened to my Dad’s Sears Silverstone console.
The thing I love about this hobby…it is your own journey…no one can dictate it. You have to try it on your own. Some stuff works some stuff doesn’t work…but it’s unique to your set up. No one’s manipulated me to buy anything. I buy it and try it and make my conclusion from there. And I only speak on my individual experience given I cannot say what anything will do or not do for someone else. I can only advise from my real world experience…& that’s limited to my set up.
Peace to all…& as Jim Salk states…enjoy the music.
View attachment 67310
