Floorstanders - using a granite plinth?

[admin_exported]

I'm looking for any feedback on benefits of putting my floorstanding speakers on a granite plinth [like a piece of kitchen worktop....]

What sort of benefits does this offer? Changes in sound etc?

Cheers all!

 

[True Blue]

I have mine on two pieces of 15mm thick slate. Tightened up the bass, much more refined. Were sat on a suspended wood floor prior, so were quite "boomy". Now isolated from the structure. Much nicer sound

 

[Anonymous]

Usually results can be heard in:

• tightness of bass
• general crispness all round - percussion especially
• reduction in boom and transmitted bass through floor is normally the biggest benefit

 

[JamesPianoman]

Interesting answers... does anyone think we'd also get a benefit with floorstanders on carpet?

 

[Anonymous]

Short answer = yes.

Also doesn't cost much to find out - £20 ish from most supermarkets

 

[JamesPianoman]

Great, thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks - so who knows of cheap places to get them!!??

I've tried kitchen installers for off-cuts and monumental stonemasons ....... found some relatively OK - but any other ideas greatly appreciated before I take the plunge!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks - so who knows of cheap places to get them!!??

I've tried kitchen installers for off-cuts and monumental stonemasons ....... found some relatively OK - but any other ideas greatly appreciated before I take the plunge!

.... I need them larger than a supermarket granite chopping board - which although would fit my current speakers, would not work for the upgrade I'm about to do ...... so rather only buy them the once!

 

[True Blue]

B and Q, Wickes etc. Garden paving

 

[Pistol Pete1]

I have black granite tiles from 'topps tiles' under my floorstanders and sub....

£5.99 each.......bargain!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

I got mine from Sainbury's - 10"x8" and 1/2" thick in black. I think it was £10 for a pair so I bought 2!

 

[Anonymous]

also read somewhere that if you also place the granite blocks (or a heavy paving slab or heavy books etc ) ontop of the speaker cabinets,you also get an improved sound?

 

[Anonymous]

Unless your speakers are boomy courtesy of not having a carpet for instance, then I would recommend you don't. I had the same thing before and people are right, it doesn't sound a little clearer but you no longer feel the bass. For bass oriented genres, this is not a good combination.

 

[Anonymous]

when I boiught my stands (second hand off ebay), I also received 8 rubber disks which the floor spikes rest on ... not sure if it does the same as a granite plinth as far as sound improvement is concerned, but have them under the spikes .... and have not tried without

 

[Anonymous]

Is it worth doing the same for some standmounters? I have MA BR2s and I'm gonna get some Soundstyle Z2 stands, the floor is some cheap laminate wood, it's a student house, so I might just do it to avoid spiking the floor (I believe the Z2s have spikes on the bottom).

Will I get much more out of this basic speaker set up?

 

[Anonymous]

Typo it sounds a little clearer but dampens the feeling of the bass

Just to clarify my speakers are already sitting a platform, so additional granite plinths are what was dampening the bass

 

[Anonymous]

dim_span:also read somewhere that if you also place the granite blocks (or a heavy paving slab or heavy books etc ) ontop of the speaker cabinets,you also get an improved sound?

Yes, that is a good thing. I did it for my speakers - attached granite plinths on top with stickers, so they become as one. It helps to kill cabinet resonance and makes speakers more heavy itself, which is another good thing. As result bass unit moving air, not a speaker. In addition, do not forget tightening screws - the first thing for any speakers. Those improvements have their best effect at loud volume.

 

[Anonymous]

Plinths have two purposes:
1) saves your floor from spikes,
2) makes a stable, free of resonance platform for your speakers (or stands) - and this is a main reason for improvements described above. Keep it in mind and any alternative that is good for you (with the same effect) will improve your speakers sound.
Yes, sometimes it can be difficult to make a stable plinth itself, especially on carpets. Then you can use some bigger polipods or metal cones, three under each plinht.

 

[JamesOK]

I have mine on granite chopping boards from Tesco. Think they were about 10 quid each. Under the chopping boards I have halved squash balls.

I did this after findind the bass was very boomy on the upstairs floor (and being recommended this as a solution). I was sceptical, but the amount of difference is amazing. Removed the boomy bass, and tightened up the mid range substantially. Would certainly recommend if youre having trouble controlling your floorstanders.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I took the plunge and found some granite garden paving tiles from my local garden centre (many did not hold them in stock - but found some in the end.....)

600mm x 600mm - about 25mm thick and only £15 each.

Have set up and tried them - at first it was a little strange, and not blindingly obvious - but I realised that the sound was tighter and more controlled and clearly the room had been 'singing' along a lot previously, whereas now it was more accurate from the speakers. Bass lines are easier to follow with less overhang [not that I realised this element before] and guitars and drums have more snap and timing - I guess the lack of room interaction allows the speaker to start and stop more readily, or sound that way.

There is a slight bit more dryness to the sound, but not a problem. Unplugged stuff [Alice in Chains] sounds really good and punchy.

There appears to be more mid detail also. I wouldn't say there is more bass depth particularly, but it's more controlled and easier to follow.

Also have found I have the volume turned up more - whether this is to make up for the room not singing in the same way I'm not sure, but quite like it - though time will tell what the neighbours think!

The listening continues!