Metal Speaker Stands, Fill with Sand?

mightymouse
mightymouse Posts: 254
edited May 2008 in Speakers
I finally got around to have my Target stands assembled. Right now they are unfilled. I am put four thick slabs of blu-tack on the four corners of the top plate, and my LSi9's are resting on top of the blu-tack.

My question is, is the blu-tack sufficient in preventing the transmission of speaker resonance to the metal stands below? Or do I still need to fill the stands with sand? I am kind of lazy, and would prefer not to do too much work...:D

Right now with the speakers set up this way, on some materials, I think I can hear some metallic brightness to the sound. But I am not sure if it is my brain playing tricks on me.:o
Post edited by mightymouse on
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited May 2008
    Don't use sand, it's very messy.

    Use lead shot from your local hardware/home improvement store.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited May 2008
    The choice between sand or lead shot is dependent on how tight the seal is between the pieces of metal. Either way, the sonic improvement is obvious and positive. Blu-Tak or other similar items will help as well but the difference is less pronounced.
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited May 2008
    I haven't filled mine with shot yet, but I probably should, just to try it. Let me know what you think of the sound when you get them filled.
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  • mightymouse
    mightymouse Posts: 254
    edited May 2008
    Thanks guys for the helpful replies.

    Where can you get lead shot from? Does Home Depot or Lowes carry lead shots? And what size lead shots should I get?
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited May 2008
    Steel shot might be safer overall, while still providing the "mass" you are looking for. Finding it locally would be your best bet, as shipping might eat you alive. I haven't checked anywhere myself.
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  • zeppage2
    zeppage2 Posts: 196
    edited May 2008
    Lead shot has increased in price.
    IIRC local gun store had it for $50 for 25lbs.
    Home Depot has 50lbs sand for approx $5.
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited May 2008
    I thought the blu-tack was just to keep your speakers from sliding around rather than decoupling them from your stands. I used sand in mine and even with sonic differences aside they're more stable and harder to move, which is always a plus.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited May 2008
    I filled my stands with sand, and the imporvement in bass tightness was noticeable. You just need to make sure that the sand is dry before doing it.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,065
    edited May 2008
    When I had stands they were filled with sand, dirt cheap ;).....at Home depot
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