Speaker Stands full of Sand?!?/Mordaunt Short

[RKP]

So, I recently purchased some slightly out of date 906i mordaunt shorts. My plan is to turn the 902i's I've been using into rear speakers (feel free to comment if you think this is a bad idea). I have had them on pretty standard speakers stands which sit beside my lcd. The speakers stands have been sized at the appropriate height as per my couch.

He mentioned that I would not be reaching the 902i's full potential unless I built some custom made stands that were full of sand to maximize the weight and sound distribution. Has anyone tried this? If its true, how would you start?

The idea sounded neat and I know he is a music (vinyl) enthusiast. I appreciate any comments about anything discusses on this thread!

Thanks.

 

[sholling]

I've never tried weighing down stands but I imagine it has the effect of reducing resonance (a guess). I like using speaker isolation pads myself. Either the Auralex pads if I need a bit of angle or the $4/set cheapies from Super Soundproofing. You need one set per speaker.

 

[Chicagorep]

I know that Totem towers have a bottom compartment for bass loading (filling with sand or steel shot). It's suppose to help the low end

 

[SnowmaNick]

I've used sand in my stands for years. It's cheap and easy to do (much cheaper than lead shot these days). As for sound, if the stands are metal it may reduce ringing, but the improvements in most stands are pretty minute. The main reason I fill the stands is the added stability the additional weight and weight distribution adds.

 

[Loren42]

I've used sand in my stands for years. It's cheap and easy to do (much cheaper than lead shot these days). As for sound, if the stands are metal it may reduce ringing, but the improvements in most stands are pretty minute. The main reason I fill the stands is the added stability the additional weight and weight distribution adds.

That's exactly my understanding.

There probably is a grain of salt of truth here, but the other 99.99% is marketing hype.

 

[RKP]

I've never tried weighing down stands but I imagine it has the effect of reducing resonance (a guess). I like using speaker isolation pads myself. Either the Auralex pads if I need a bit of angle or the $4/set cheapies from Super Soundproofing. You need one set per speaker.

What is the benefit of using speaker isolation pads? Do these add on's work differently with different speakers?

Thanks.

 

[sholling]

What is the benefit of using speaker isolation pads? Do these add on's work differently with different speakers?

Thanks.

They keep any resonance from transferring to the stands. I use them anyplace that where a speaker would otherwise be resting on a hard surface. Places like my desk, bookshelves, etc. I also use subwoofer isolators (a SubDude and a Great Gramma) under my subwoofers.

http://www.auralex.com/c_sound_isolation/c_sound_isolation.asp

 

[j_garcia]

I use MoPads under all 3 of my main speakers. They work very well. I've tried a number of different isolation methods and MoPads have been the most effective so far. I also have a Gramma for my sub. The 902s are good speakers but this guy hasn't a clue if he thinks that sand filled stands make that much difference.

 

[T2T]

I've used sand in my stands before. The "play" sand that you buy in bags from your local home improvement store has a lot of moisture in it. To get the moisture dried out, lay down some plastic in your driveway and pour the sand out onto the plastic. Throughout the day, periodically rake through the sand to keep exposing the moist sand so it dries out. After a day or two, it should be sufficiently dried out to allow you to fill the speaker stands.

 

[j_garcia]

I've seen it recommended to simply leave the sand in bags so that it doesn't actually contact the stand as moisture is a definite possibility.