Spikes - they really are that good!

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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited January 2012
    thanks, nut!
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited January 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Some people think sonic improvements from vibration elimination are the same as improvements from better speaker wire and inter-connects; that is it really doesn't exist. Of course, they are wrong on both parts. I'm glad you are hearing the difference.

    For the next step, try putting all your gear on brass footers. I use the Mapleshade Micropoints on everything, and as I added the footers to each piece of gear the sound became clearer and clearer. It is amazing how much better the sound gets as vibration is reduced in each piece of gear in the chain.

    Have fun!

    Hopefully, I am reading this right - that BlueFox take is that spikes, speakerwire and inter-connects make a significant impact on fidelity. If so, as a cablemaker myself, I totally agree with this assesment. This is no myth. All of these items makes a significant impact.

    If you cannot hear the difference when changing speakerwire or interconnects, then two questions arrise -
    what cables are you using to swap one for another?
    and what gear is being used to drive your equipment?
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,309
    edited January 2012
    A piece of gear does not always have to be expensive it just has to mesh with the other components in the chain, each tweak can bring forward the weakest link in the chain, that's helps one figuring out where to start next.

    SYNERGY can be a **** but it can also be fun.

    Never forget about room treatments/bass traps, and while your at it take a good look at the rack you house your equipment in if you don't think that can't be a weak link think again.

    Brass footers, Spikes, weight on top of your CD player, a well leveled TT, Dynamat, BlackHole, HiRez, SonicBarrier, the list can go on and on.

    Enjoy but do your homework before jumping into the deep end of the pool.

    BTW I'm still learning how to swim..:smile:
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited January 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    take a good look at the rack you house your equipment in if you don't think that can't be a weak link think again.

    And Tool - how do we get a hold purchasing the ToolForLifeFan Audio Rack???
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,309
    edited January 2012
    polkmaster1 wrote: »
    and tool - how do we get a hold purchasing the toolforlifefan audio rack???

    lol!!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited January 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    lol!!!

    I was serious, along with getting that TFL AI Cabinet. :cheesygrin:

    BTW - I hope to get your tweeter brackets in my speakers by the end of this month.
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited January 2012
    By the way - in case I wanted to drop by for a visit - where is Hell TFL? I can't get it to come up on my Garmin Nuvi or on Yahoo maps.
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2012
    phoppmann wrote: »
    I spiked my SDA 2bs ..... Great improvement in bass! The 2bs have a hollow box frame on their speaker's base - I used a couple aluminum angle brackets (as long as the box frame) that I attached to the frame with through bolts, and then the two spikes were mounted to the horizontal section of each bracket. A MUST DO tweak!
    Welcome, phoppman...

    On carpet... yes?

    I assume the Al brackets are plenty stiff, but regardless depending on how you oriented them I could see some potential of them "ringing".

    Pics?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • evhudsons
    evhudsons Posts: 1,175
    edited January 2012
    Thanks again Tour2ma! I once again have nice pressure rather than noise coming from my subs, and they sound much better blended for music. I had to research quite a bit on those Crankensteins. It's a funny brand name, and they are out of business but they certainly made my subs well.
    Polk Audio SDA CRS+ crossover 4.1TL by Trey/VR3 (Rings and custom stand by Larry)-Polk Audio SDA SRS2 crossovers by Trey/VR3Parasound HCA1500aYamaha rxa-3070 with musicast-Celestion SL6S presence,- sl9 surround backNHTsuper1's surroundMagnepan SMGParasound 1500pre- Sofia "Baby" tube amp - Monitor Audio Silver RX2 Marantz 2230/B&Kst140Technics 1200mk2 Gamertag: IslandBerserker I am but a infinitesimally small point meeting the line of infinity in the SDA universe
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  • evhudsons
    evhudsons Posts: 1,175
    edited January 2012
    Finally,

    got it perfectly set, thanks a bazillion! I finally got that feel the bass rather than hear the bass setting back again, and now even better.

    Now I can listen at low levels even and get full bass through the air and it blends very very nice with my sda's. I put in Star Wars II to check it with the intro scene, awesome! But for music it's really now I perfect blend.

    thanks again for the explanations and advice! Priceless
    Polk Audio SDA CRS+ crossover 4.1TL by Trey/VR3 (Rings and custom stand by Larry)-Polk Audio SDA SRS2 crossovers by Trey/VR3Parasound HCA1500aYamaha rxa-3070 with musicast-Celestion SL6S presence,- sl9 surround backNHTsuper1's surroundMagnepan SMGParasound 1500pre- Sofia "Baby" tube amp - Monitor Audio Silver RX2 Marantz 2230/B&Kst140Technics 1200mk2 Gamertag: IslandBerserker I am but a infinitesimally small point meeting the line of infinity in the SDA universe
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  • Texun2
    Texun2 Posts: 10
    edited January 2012
    I was looking at spikes on parts express site this morning. Will they help on a tile floor? That system has a set of Klip Forte II's
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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited January 2012
    for my 2b's, i have the dayton spikes right to the tile - no discs...they don't scratch either...2b's are light compared to others and not all tile is created equal, so YMMV....sound-wise? one of the best mods i've done
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2012
    Welcome Texun2... all the best members have numerals in their screen name (especially "2", right, Mike?)... so the pressures on... :cheesygrin:

    The reason to spike is universal... bedrock speaker stability. Spikes are a cheap enough tweak that there's no reason not to try them.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    Tour2ma wrote: »
    Welcome Texun2... all the best members have numerals in their screen name (especially "2", right, Mike?)... so the pressures on... :cheesygrin:
    ...

    DANG! I knew I should have been audio_alan2. haha

    I've been slacking and still need to order spikes. For the original large SDA-SRS's (pre-1.2's, but same form-factor), are these sufficient?

    http://meniscusaudio.com/extra-points-p-1292.html

    Or do I need to step up to the Ultra points due to the weight of the speakers?

    http://meniscusaudio.com/ultra-points-p-209.html

    There sure is a price different betweem the two. You can almost get an entire set of the "extra points" for the price of a single "Ultra Point". Other recommendations? Thanks.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited January 2012
    The extra points should work fine. The ultras are if you want to show off more ;)
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    The extra points should work fine. The ultras are if you want to show off more ;)

    If there isn't any different in performance, I'd rather show off with the extra $140 in my pocket! :cheesygrin:
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited January 2012
    audio_alan wrote: »
    Other recommendations? Thanks.

    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-58810-track-audio-speaker-spikes.aspx
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-58810-track-audio-speaker-spikes.aspx

    Thanks F1nut! Those are some nice looking spikes. Now the decision is silver or brass... decisions, decisions.

    I decided to call Meniscus Audio too. The guy said that the Extra Points would be fine, but cautioned that rocking the speaker on the smaller-shafted spikes could be a problem. But once they are in place, it shouldn't be a big deal... especially since the default shaft size for the SDA-SRS is 1/4"-20 anyway.
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    I just pulled the trigger on a couple sets of the brass "extra points". I decided to go the cheaper route for testing them out. I might try other more expensive brands if/when I'm impressed...

    I'll report back after I get them on my speakers and give them a listen.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited January 2012
    I use them on my LSIs and liked what they did. Do buff them a bit before you install them. Couple coats of laquer will help keep them shiny :wink:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,654
    edited January 2012
    Now the decision is silver or brass... decisions, decisions.

    Not silver, stainless steel and rated for 200 lbs. each!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    Not silver, stainless steel and rated for 200 lbs. each!

    Yeah, I understand. I was more talking about the color of them, not the material they are made from. Although I suppose I should have said "silver or gold" - that would have been a better "apples to apples" comparison.

    If nothing else, I'll throw these cheaper sets on my 1C's and 2B's, and then buy heavier duty ones for my larger SDA's.
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I use them on my LSIs and liked what they did. Do buff them a bit before you install them. Couple coats of laquer will help keep them shiny :wink:

    Yep, I was planning on doing that. I'm looking forward to testing them...
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,309
    edited January 2012
    Trust me Alan you will love the spikes it will change everything. Next you need to try some dynamat call me over and we can have a beer and knock it out in no time..:cheesygrin:
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited January 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    Not silver, stainless steel and rated for 200 lbs. each!

    Rated for 200 lbs. each!! I am getting these for my 2.3TL's. Thanks again Jesse.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited January 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Trust me Alan you will love the spikes it will change everything. Next you need to try some dynamat call me over and we can have a beer and knock it out in no time..:cheesygrin:

    Sounds like a plan, Larry. I like the way you think! :biggrin:
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2012
    audio_alan wrote: »
    I've been slacking and still need to order spikes. For the original large SDA-SRS's (pre-1.2's, but same form-factor), are these sufficient?
    I know you've ordered, but it really depends on the application. If you are trying to pierce carpet and padding, "pointier" is the way to go. Then the thicker the carpet, the longer you want the spike.

    If you are on a hard floor, the shape does not matter... but the color might... :cheesygrin:
    audio_alan wrote: »
    I decided to call Meniscus Audio too. The guy said that the Extra Points would be fine, but cautioned that rocking the speaker on the smaller-shafted spikes could be a problem.
    Good caution by that CS rep on the tilting...
    F1nut wrote: »
    ...stainless steel and rated for 200 lbs. each!
    At what angle?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter