(Long) Hello From Brooklyn, Part 3

Posted by paul6001 (A) on September 14, 2021 at 18:05:56

Footers are the final frontier. Used to have a rock-steady pair of Dayton Audio stands that came with their own spikes. Somehow, I got a crazy bargain on a pair of KEF stands made especially for the LS50s. No footers, though, just felt pads. And the Dayton spikes didn't fit into the new stands.

So I just put the stands down on the carpet, as the previous owner had. Instantly, I heard improved bass. This subject is worth a closer examination. Bass, electric or acoustic, is a soft explosion. If "tight" is the first word that comes to your mind when you hear a bass note (or even a kick drum), something is wrong. A bass not doesn't have an immediate attack or decay. It's not a transient, as I understand that word. (The least descriptive word since "postmodern.")

A little reading told me that I wasn't the first man to dislike spikes. Which obviously gave rise to the next question: What do I use instead?

At this point, I delved into a little theory. Almost always a mistake. I'd certainly like to think that I'm not making a conscious to cheat on my wife but do I believe that I'm impelled to by millions of years of evolution that force me to spread my seed to every possible young, good-looking woman? Sorry, but I'm going to have to take the rap. Just an example (and a made-up one at that) that it's easy to work backwards and construct a theory for almost every phenomenon.

Antway, this is my theory: (And it's not about the brontosaurus, Monty Python fans) A footer has two functions. The first, and by far the most important, is to give a component a solid foundation to perform whatever function it is supposed to perform. So the most important thing a footer under a CD player should do is enable the player to read the information off the disc and send it to the amp. A footer under a speaker should maximize the various drivers's ability to launch sound waves into the room.

The result of the footer performing this function is filling a room with energy. And then comes the second function of the footer; preventing that energy from flowing back into the system, in the form of vibrations, and impairing the components ability to play the next note.

Audiophiles spend many words and much money on the second function but the first often goes unmentioned. Personal experience tells me that it's the first one that really counts. Everything I've put something supposedly energy absorbing under a piece of gear, usually sorbothane, it sucks the energy out of the music like the Appalachian trail sucks the energy out of a day hiker. So when I got recommendations for Nobsounds, Isopucks, and various pieces of Herbies gear, I discounted them all. I wanted those speakers resting on a solid base.

My best results to date have been achieved with small pieces of poster putty under the stands. I'm sure that they do add some damping but it's such a thin layer that it can't be much. Meanwhile, there is no rocking motion and the sound is heart-stopping great.

On the other hand, with bare feet, it's easy to feel some vibration from the speakers. That vibration is energy that should be coming out of the speakers. It also portends trouble with the neighbors downstairs, although I think the building must be soundproofed because I can turn it up LOUD without provoking any complaints from below.

The sound is hard to argue with but I don't consider the speaker stand question to be closed. I welcome any thoughts.

Wow! A lot of material covered. Some questions raised, few answered, about my thoughts and impressions after six months of hardcore audiophelia. I don't know if anyone wants to read it but, for some reason, I felt compelled to write it up. I look forward to serving a long and fruitful term at the Asylum.

Don't lose heart, my fellow inmates. There's more. Check for the latest post in the cables section.

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Topic - (Long) Hello From Brooklyn, Part 3 - paul6001 18:05:56 09/14/21 (3)

RE: (Long) Hello From Brooklyn, Part 3 - chuck55 17:10:20 09/17/21 (0)

Some reading - G Squared 06:17:08 09/15/21 (0)

Welcome! - Chuck 04:39:08 09/15/21 (0)

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