AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Bipolar System Disorders => Topic started by: malloy on February 14, 2021, 10:22:46 PM

Title: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: malloy on February 14, 2021, 10:22:46 PM
In the same vein as Stereonut's earlier thread on affordable racks, I am looking for affordable speaker stands that aren't Pangea. I am looking to replace my el-cheapo Sanus MDF stands with something that hopefully does not cost more than the speakers they are to be used with!  :lol:

I need at least 28" or 30" stands for small bookshelf speakers. Maybe something in the $300 range?

This Argosy stand caught my eye, it has the Isoacoustics isolation thing on top, but they are too tall. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Argosy/Spire-360i-Speaker-Stand-with-IsoAcoustics-Technology.gc?rNtt=argosy&index=8 (https://www.guitarcenter.com/Argosy/Spire-360i-Speaker-Stand-with-IsoAcoustics-Technology.gc?rNtt=argosy&index=8)

Thanks!

Paul
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Major Dolphin on February 15, 2021, 07:31:21 AM
I use the Skylan SP-27 (27" height $335) for my KEF LS50s. They recommend filling them with rice or kitty litter (I used rice). They also make a product called the Q-Brick for isolation which you might find useful (I just use the rubber feet that came with the KEFs).

https://www.skylanstands.com/index.html#stands2p (https://www.skylanstands.com/index.html#stands2p)
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: rollo on February 15, 2021, 08:40:27 AM
  Look at B&W and Pangea.



charles
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on February 15, 2021, 10:18:43 AM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: rollo on February 15, 2021, 10:38:33 AM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.

   Good to know. The 24" B&W are a no brainer. BTW make sure the tweeter is at ear level when sitting on a stand. Usually about 39" above finished floor to center line of tweeter.


charles
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: malloy on February 15, 2021, 10:53:06 PM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.

Hehe. These were the 'free' ones, if I remember correctly?
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on February 15, 2021, 10:55:03 PM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.

Hehe. These were the 'free' ones, if I remember correctly?

Umm...yes. To those wondering, it’s a long story  :lol:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: malloy on February 15, 2021, 10:58:27 PM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.

   Good to know. The 24" B&W are a no brainer. BTW make sure the tweeter is at ear level when sitting on a stand. Usually about 39" above finished floor to center line of tweeter.

charles

I can't find any B&W stands that are taller than 24", which I think I need. I already have my 24 stands on top of patio bricks so the the tweeters are ear level.

Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on February 16, 2021, 11:38:13 AM
I have B & W stands. They’re 24” and believe they don’t make a taller stand.

   Good to know. The 24" B&W are a no brainer. BTW make sure the tweeter is at ear level when sitting on a stand. Usually about 39" above finished floor to center line of tweeter.

charles

I can't find any B&W stands that are taller than 24", which I think I need. I already have my 24 stands on top of patio bricks so the the tweeters are ear level.

Paul,
There are a few options at 29”
Nick
https://www.standsandmounts.com/24-29speakerstands.aspx
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Barry (NJ) on March 28, 2021, 08:31:37 PM
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24794

Or if you're in a hurry...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DMCXX32

I got a set for my son, very very solid, fillable, excellent value.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on March 28, 2021, 10:26:35 PM
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24794

Or if you're in a hurry...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DMCXX32

I got a set for my son, very very solid, fillable, excellent value.

Hey Barry,
Hope all is well back east
Nick
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: HAL on March 29, 2021, 03:29:25 AM
I have a pair of the Pangea 32" speaker stands on order and hope to have them shortly.   They make 3 heights, 24", 28" and 32". 

Price was very reasonable from Audio Advisor and a few other places.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Barry (NJ) on March 29, 2021, 11:31:07 AM
Hey Barry,
Hope all is well back east
Nick

Thanks Nick! Hope all's well with you and yours! And yes all's well here, been working from home and laying low, using my media-room a lot this past year ;)
Everyone in my home was finally vaccinated by the end of February, we're still laying low, no frivolous outings, but feeling more comfortable when any of us do venture out.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on March 29, 2021, 12:12:01 PM
Hey Barry,
Hope all is well back east
Nick

Thanks Nick! Hope all's well with you and yours! And yes all's well here, been working from home and laying low, using my media-room a lot this past year ;)
Everyone in my home was finally vaccinated by the end of February, we're still laying low, no frivolous outings, but feeling more comfortable when any of us do venture out.

Good deal, Barry! You’ve got a very nice setup  :thumb: Thanks for those pics.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: malloy on April 04, 2021, 09:50:20 PM

Paul,
There are a few options at 29”
Nick
https://www.standsandmounts.com/24-29speakerstands.aspx

Thanks, Nick. Will check these out. Same website I saw those VTI racks.

Paul
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: malloy on April 04, 2021, 09:53:19 PM
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24794

Or if you're in a hurry...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DMCXX32

I got a set for my son, very very solid, fillable, excellent value.

Thanks, Barry. These seem to be better value(?) compared to the Pangeas? Actually, I am sure any of these suggestions will do better than the wooden Sanus ones I have now.

Paul
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 01:48:34 PM
Well, quite a letdown today… was going to fill my B & W speaker stands with sand right now. They are not fillable. I’ve looked through this thread again and Barry’s suggestion of the Monoprice seems best. I really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on stands. I will look through some other old threads to see if there are other recommendations. If anybody has any ideas, I’d love to hear them. I just measured the tweeter height again on the stands and my listening position and it’s pretty much spot on. So 24” stands would be the correct height.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 20, 2021, 02:16:47 PM
Well, quite a letdown today… was going to fill my B & W speaker stands with sand right now. They are not fillable. I’ve looked through this thread again and Barry’s suggestion of the Monoprice seems best. I really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on stands. I will look through some other old threads to see if there are other recommendations. If anybody has any ideas, I’d love to hear them. I just measured the tweeter height again on the stands and my listening position and it’s pretty much spot on. So 24” stands would be the correct height.
That's odd.  I have never seen a B&W stand that did not have a removable top or bottom plate.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 02:18:48 PM
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24794

Or if you're in a hurry...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DMCXX32

I got a set for my son, very very solid, fillable, excellent value.

Barry,
I’ve  looked at the questions/answers section on Monoprice. Apparently the stands come with M8 spikes. If so, that would be great as I’m using the Herbies product to set the spikes into. I also read about the stands being fillable as you said. One of the comments said there was a tiny gap at the bottom that needs to be sealed with clear silicone. Is that correct? I am assuming that the silicone would need to be applied externally after the securing bolts on the bottom have been tightened. I also wanted to ask you about how much space there is at the top to pour in sand. My B and Ws have too narrow a gap for me to try and pour sand into. Can you tell me how much of space there is for me to be able to insert a large funnel? Do you recall?
Thanks for your help.
Nick
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 02:19:42 PM
Well, quite a letdown today… was going to fill my B & W speaker stands with sand right now. They are not fillable. I’ve looked through this thread again and Barry’s suggestion of the Monoprice seems best. I really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on stands. I will look through some other old threads to see if there are other recommendations. If anybody has any ideas, I’d love to hear them. I just measured the tweeter height again on the stands and my listening position and it’s pretty much spot on. So 24” stands would be the correct height.
That's odd.  I have never seen a B&W stand that did not have a removable top or bottom plate.

It sure doesn’t look removable to me, Dave. But let me get out the Allen wrench and open it up again. Maybe I missed something obvious
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 02:52:28 PM
There is a rubber pad that goes across the top of the B & W stand with an adhesive on the back. I very carefully pried it off and there was a 1/4 to 1/3” gap. I have a plastic funnel that I was able to push into that opening. It would be very tedious to fill sand that way, but it’s doable. At least I have an engineered floor in the living room and not carpet. So vacuuming up spilled sand would be easy. Are most metal stands like this? I assumed this kind of speaker stand would have a bigger, more easily fillable space. But I guess stuff like this is part of the joy of being an audiophile?? 😳
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 20, 2021, 06:46:03 PM
There is a rubber pad that goes across the top of the B & W stand with an adhesive on the back. I very carefully pried it off and there was a 1/4 to 1/3” gap. I have a plastic funnel that I was able to push into that opening. It would be very tedious to fill sand that way, but it’s doable. At least I have an engineered floor in the living room and not carpet. So vacuuming up spilled sand would be easy. Are most metal stands like this? I assumed this kind of speaker stand would have a bigger, more easily fillable space. But I guess stuff like this is part of the joy of being an audiophile?? 😳
Looks like you get to explore the virtue of patience   :D
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 06:55:52 PM
There is a rubber pad that goes across the top of the B & W stand with an adhesive on the back. I very carefully pried it off and there was a 1/4 to 1/3” gap. I have a plastic funnel that I was able to push into that opening. It would be very tedious to fill sand that way, but it’s doable. At least I have an engineered floor in the living room and not carpet. So vacuuming up spilled sand would be easy. Are most metal stands like this? I assumed this kind of speaker stand would have a bigger, more easily fillable space. But I guess stuff like this is part of the joy of being an audiophile?? 😳
Looks like you get to explore the virtue of patience   :D

Dave,
I was really, really hoping for a different answer  :lol:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Jack on June 20, 2021, 07:00:59 PM
Nick

Doesn't the top or bottom plate come off?
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 07:08:06 PM
Nick

Doesn't the top or bottom plate come off?

Jack,
Both the top and the bottom plates are easily removed with an Allen wrench. The problem is there is only a gap of 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch on either side of a solid metal piece which holds the Allen screws and the top plate. It is only on either side of that top supporting piece that I can shove that small funnel into place. I had expected/hoped for  an area of at least 2 or 3 inches in diameter into which I could pour the sand.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Jack on June 20, 2021, 07:26:14 PM
Well that's an odd design and a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 20, 2021, 09:16:14 PM
Nick

Doesn't the top or bottom plate come off?

Jack,
Both the top and the bottom plates are easily removed with an Allen wrench. The problem is there is only a gap of 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch on either side of a solid metal piece which holds the Allen screws and the top plate. It is only on either side of that top supporting piece that I can shove that small funnel into place. I had expected/hoped for  an area of at least 2 or 3 inches in diameter into which I could pour the sand.
Can you make a cardboard funnel the width and length of the slot or is it just a small hole?
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 20, 2021, 10:07:52 PM
Nick

Doesn't the top or bottom plate come off?

Jack,
Both the top and the bottom plates are easily removed with an Allen wrench. The problem is there is only a gap of 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch on either side of a solid metal piece which holds the Allen screws and the top plate. It is only on either side of that top supporting piece that I can shove that small funnel into place. I had expected/hoped for  an area of at least 2 or 3 inches in diameter into which I could pour the sand.
Can you make a cardboard funnel the width and length of the slot or is it just a small hole?

No can do. If I slid the cardboard in there, it would take up virtually all the space. It’s actually easier to use that small funnel. I’m going to visit a friend in Vegas on Tuesday and will just leave the funnel in there for now. May shoot Monoprice an email asking how much room there might be to add sand from the top. For me to fill each stand, with this size funnel, would take many many dozens of scoops of sand…maybe hundreds. I had the cat food scooper ready to go for this task.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 21, 2021, 09:26:37 AM

No can do. If I slid the cardboard in there, it would take up virtually all the space. It’s actually easier to use that small funnel. I’m going to visit a friend in Vegas on Tuesday and will just leave the funnel in there for now. May shoot Monoprice an email asking how much room there might be to add sand from the top. For me to fill each stand, with this size funnel, would take many many dozens of scoops of sand…maybe hundreds. I had the cat food scooper ready to go for this task.
If 'twas me I would be finding someone to drill some holes in those plates to accept a large funnel.  Those stands are made of mild steel and are actually pretty easy to drill going slow with a little lubricant.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/tips-for-drilling-holes-in-metal/
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 21, 2021, 10:37:16 AM

No can do. If I slid the cardboard in there, it would take up virtually all the space. It’s actually easier to use that small funnel. I’m going to visit a friend in Vegas on Tuesday and will just leave the funnel in there for now. May shoot Monoprice an email asking how much room there might be to add sand from the top. For me to fill each stand, with this size funnel, would take many many dozens of scoops of sand…maybe hundreds. I had the cat food scooper ready to go for this task.
If 'twas me I would be finding someone to drill some holes in those plates to accept a large funnel.  Those stands are made of mild steel and are actually pretty easy to drill going slow with a little lubricant.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/tips-for-drilling-holes-in-metal/

Here’s the latest on my filling crisis… I was on the Monoprice website and spoke with a customer support guy and read the questions and answers area on the site as well.
There is no exploded view in the drawings that would show how much of a gap there is at the top. One of the comments said there is a large enough gap to put a funnel in. What that precisely means as to size, I have no idea. I am going to check the garage and see what the largest drill bit I have. I’m guessing it’s a 5/8 and maybe I have a 3/4 inch laying around as well. So that would allow me to buy a slightly larger funnel. The bottom plate fits pretty tight and I doubt if any sand would seep through there. So that’s the plan and I guess I can play music through my iPad to keep me company as I start the laborious process 💤
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: tmazz on June 21, 2021, 10:53:53 AM


At this point you need to start thinking outside of the box, or more specifically outside of the post.  :-k

What about fashioning a funnel out of light cardboard where the output end was just big enough to fit over the outside of the post and then duct taping it in place. If you tape it tightly to the post the leakage will likely be minimal and might even be less that the spillage you would have using the small funnel.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 21, 2021, 10:58:16 AM


At this point you need to start thinking outside of the box, or more specifically outside of the post.  :-k

What about fashioning a funnel out of light cardboard where the output end was just big enough to fit over the outside of the post and then duct taping it in place. If you tape it tightly to the post the leakage will likely be minimal and might even be less that the spillage you would have using the small funnel.

Just a thought.
That is a great idea.  I was thinking about a funnel that was taped to the top, but this is a much, much better approach.  This would allow the sand to flow through the entire widths of the openings.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: tmazz on June 21, 2021, 11:30:29 AM


At this point you need to start thinking outside of the box, or more specifically outside of the post.  :-k

What about fashioning a funnel out of light cardboard where the output end was just big enough to fit over the outside of the post and then duct taping it in place. If you tape it tightly to the post the leakage will likely be minimal and might even be less that the spillage you would have using the small funnel.

Just a thought.
That is a great idea.  I was thinking about a funnel that was taped to the top, but this is a much, much better approach.  This would allow the sand to flow through the entire widths of the openings.   :thumb:

My mother killed all of the dumb ones.   :rofl:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 21, 2021, 12:48:04 PM


At this point you need to start thinking outside of the box, or more specifically outside of the post.  :-k

What about fashioning a funnel out of light cardboard where the output end was just big enough to fit over the outside of the post and then duct taping it in place. If you tape it tightly to the post the leakage will likely be minimal and might even be less that the spillage you would have using the small funnel.

Just a thought.

Tom that is a really, really good idea. There are two columns, so I was going to try and isolate one and do one at a time. However, this new concept of thinking outside the box really got me going …  :lol:  So I am going to use heavy stock paper that I just bought and tape all the way around and also tape across the small opening between the two columns. It should go pretty fast with an absolute minimum of spillage.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 21, 2021, 02:02:08 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 21, 2021, 02:30:52 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 21, 2021, 03:05:45 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.

Thanks, Dave. One stand is completely done including the hammering 🔨
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 21, 2021, 07:23:36 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.
Tom saved the day!  :thumb:

Thanks, Dave. One stand is completely done including the hammering 🔨
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 21, 2021, 07:29:24 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.
Tom saved the day!  :thumb:

Thanks, Dave. One stand is completely done including the hammering 🔨

Yep, great idea by Tom and your hammering suggestion worked very well.
Thanks guys  :thumb:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: tmazz on June 22, 2021, 05:15:27 AM
I just shook mine back and forth a little to help it settle, but the hammering sounds like a great idea.

Mine got filled about 6 years ago. One of these days I am going to have to pop the top plate off and take a peek to see how much the sand settled over time.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 22, 2021, 09:06:18 AM
I just shook mine back and forth a little to help it settle, but the hammering sounds like a great idea.

Mine got filled about 6 years ago. One of these days I am going to have to pop the top plate off and take a peek to see how much the sand settled over time.

I used Dave’s hammer method to get the sand settled and then I used as big an Allen wrench as possible to fit into the metal gaps and tamp down the accessible sand as best I could. The process worked quite well.

What is interesting is that the sand added a bigger improvement than the ethernet cable did. The resolution is much improved and there is additional layering. I’m able to much more easily hear individual voices in a chorus. Transients are lightning fast and razor sharp and I wasn’t used to that type of a presentation. For a while last night I was thinking this is too much of a good thing….
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: rollo on June 22, 2021, 12:37:45 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.


 I use a vibrator. Easier.


charles
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: toobluvr on June 22, 2021, 01:02:51 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.


 I use a vibrator. Easier.


charles

Did the wife miss it?

 :rofl:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 22, 2021, 01:42:41 PM
One speaker stand is done ..meaning both columns 🎉🍷🎶  very easy cleanup and it appears nothing is leaking at the bottom. I plan to look for a dowel and compress the sand a little bit anyway.
To compress the sand get a hammer and wrap the head with a towel and gently tap the sides of the stands working from the bottom to the top and back down for a couple of minutes per stand. Seismic settling is much more effective than trying to tamp from the top - all that really does is move the sand around and doesn't settle the filler.  I've done this for years and it is the most effective way.


 I use a vibrator. Easier.


charles

Did the wife miss it?

 :rofl:
Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!   :rofl:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: tmazz on June 22, 2021, 08:51:59 PM
Damn it Nick, withal of this talk about hammers and vibrators I had to pull the top plate off of my B&W stands and check the sand level. And wouldn't you know it, the level has dropped to about 1/2 inch below the top. I guess after playing them over the years the speakers vibrating (especially the bass) facilitated some additional seismic settling. Now that little 1/2 inch gap in the sand should not really make a significant difference on a 28 inch columns, but I know that this is going to bother me until I get the time to top them off.  :roll:

This does make a good point thought that any of us who have filled sands should look at them every few years to see if normal usage has cause any more settling. I think I am going to add this to my list of regular maintenance items and look at the stands whenever I do periodic things like contact cleaning and system demagnetizing.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 22, 2021, 09:15:19 PM
Damn it Nick, withal of this talk about hammers and vibrators I had to pull the top plate off of my B&W stands and check the sand level. And wouldn't you know it, the level has dropped to about 1/2 inch below the top. I guess after playing them over the years the speakers vibrating (especially the bass) facilitated some additional seismic settling. Now that little 1/2 inch gap in the sand should not really make a significant difference on a 28 inch columns, but I know that this is going to bother me until I get the time to top them off.  :roll:

This does make a good point thought that any of us who have filled sands should look at them every few years to see if normal usage has cause any more settling. I think I am going to add this to my list of regular maintenance items and look at the stands whenever I do periodic things like contact cleaning and system demagnetizing.

Geez, Tom. I’m in Vegas visiting a friend and I’m suddenly feeling a bit guilty about your sand issue  :roll: If it makes you feel a little better, I left 2” at the top of my B&Ws.  But I so appreciate your great idea!
I’m not going to fiddle with it anymore… I used packing tape because I didn’t want to hunt for the duct tape, so it was a little bit messier than it needed to be. A very significant difference in sq
Do let me know if filling in that 1/2” makes an appreciable difference  🎶🎶
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 22, 2021, 10:41:30 PM
Damn it Nick, withal of this talk about hammers and vibrators I had to pull the top plate off of my B&W stands and check the sand level. And wouldn't you know it, the level has dropped to about 1/2 inch below the top. I guess after playing them over the years the speakers vibrating (especially the bass) facilitated some additional seismic settling. Now that little 1/2 inch gap in the sand should not really make a significant difference on a 28 inch columns, but I know that this is going to bother me until I get the time to top them off.  :roll:

This does make a good point thought that any of us who have filled sands should look at them every few years to see if normal usage has cause any more settling. I think I am going to add this to my list of regular maintenance items and look at the stands whenever I do periodic things like contact cleaning and system demagnetizing.
Fill them up and comeback in a few years to see how much more they settle.  Those grains of sand just keep looking for spaces to fill.  It took 3 times over about 5 years to get my home brew stands to fully compact.

My home brew stands were 6" PVC pipe with 1.5" top and bottom plates made from Medex and Baltic birch ply laminated with a rubbery flooring adhesive.  Dead, dead, dead!
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 22, 2021, 10:52:55 PM
Now that I have them filled to within 2” of the top, using a funnel to fill in the rest would be very simple. The knuckle test is so revealing
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 23, 2021, 09:11:09 AM
Damn it Nick, withal of this talk about hammers and vibrators I had to pull the top plate off of my B&W stands and check the sand level. And wouldn't you know it, the level has dropped to about 1/2 inch below the top. I guess after playing them over the years the speakers vibrating (especially the bass) facilitated some additional seismic settling. Now that little 1/2 inch gap in the sand should not really make a significant difference on a 28 inch columns, but I know that this is going to bother me until I get the time to top them off.  :roll:

This does make a good point thought that any of us who have filled sands should look at them every few years to see if normal usage has cause any more settling. I think I am going to add this to my list of regular maintenance items and look at the stands whenever I do periodic things like contact cleaning and system demagnetizing.
Fill them up and comeback in a few years to see how much more they settle.  Those grains of sand just keep looking for spaces to fill.  It took 3 times over about 5 years to get my home brew stands to fully compact.

My home brew stands were 6" PVC pipe with 1.5" top and bottom plates made from Medex and Baltic birch ply laminated with a rubbery flooring adhesive.  Dead, dead, dead!

Just curious…. your pvc pipe is open at the top for easy filling? The top plate simply sits on the pvc and is held in place by the weight of the speaker? Doing diy like that doesn’t occur to me 🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 23, 2021, 11:05:32 AM

Just curious…. your pvc pipe is open at the top for easy filling? The top plate simply sits on the pvc and is held in place by the weight of the speaker? Doing diy like that doesn’t occur to me 🤷‍♂️
Nope.  The PVC is glued into the top and bottom plates.  The top plate has a hole in it to make it easy to fill and empty.  I covered the PVC pipe with black contact vinyl like shelf paper.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: toobluvr on June 23, 2021, 11:12:54 AM
Picture is worth 1000 words!

 :thumb:
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: P.I. on June 23, 2021, 01:57:02 PM
Picture is worth 1000 words!

 :thumb:
I know, but those stands went the way of all things audio nervosa.  Gone about 10 yerars ago to a worthy friend.  The speakers had Jordan JX92S drivers in them along with vifa XT25 tweets.  He still has them and loves them.  That Jordan driver was and is an amazing driver...

Perhaps a better explanation.

The top and bottom plates were laminated (epoxy) from 2 layers of 3/4" MDF.  One layer of each was routed to accept the PVC pipe.  I drilled and tapped the bottom plate to accept spikes.  The top plate had a 2" diameter hole in it to allow filling the PVC.  I glued the PVC pipe into the MDF with good old PVC pipe glue... the blue icky stuff... after masking off the pipe so the blue goo didn't get all over the pipe.  I tried different fillers and ended up with a mixture of #8 lead shot (2 bags each) and sandblasting coarse media - silica sand.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 26, 2021, 04:35:33 PM
Filled up each stand to within 1/2” and made a note to check the level in 2 years. Will be curious if there’ll be any settling.
Title: Re: Speaker stand suggestions?
Post by: Nick B on June 26, 2021, 09:15:18 PM
Even with the sand filled to within a 1/2” of the top, there is still a teeny bit of vibration that I can feel. Now these are inexpensive B&W stands and I’m already using spikes with Herbie’s brass cone/spike puckies. The rack is a cheapie Pangea also with Herbie’s. So my point is there is still so much potential for improvement. What an amazing hobby = passion  :thumb: