I said it before, but I’m convinced a big factor is simply changing the height of the speaker compared to the listener. That can make a significant difference in sound and very few seem to height match before swapping one solution for the other. Then subsequently they end up attributing the change in sound to one factor (decoupling) while there are two in play (change of axis & decoupling). In most cases I would expect the change in listening axis to have a larger effect.
You won’t be suprised to know how many are confused with coupling and decoupling. The differences applicable to speaker “isolation”
Rigid = coupled. wobbly = uncoupled. Isn’t necessarily correct.
I agree. I’ve tried all 3 methods on my Dynaudios. I ‘slide’ my speakers out of harms way when not in use so I sit them on chopping blocks on top of sorbathane pads with felt. This isolates them, but also lifts them circa 50mm. Of course, this gives a sense of airiness and a larger soundstage but I don’t like the bass. I prefer them on their own rubber feet on the hard floor. Coupling them with spikes (on metal discs) tightens the bass further but to me it sounds a bit unnatural and the highs sound a bit too harsh.
All 3 methods effectively ‘tune’ the sound in my room. But my preference is as Dynaudio designed them, rubber feet on my hard floor.
Having followed this thread I decided to try Stack audio auva50 ‘s under my atacama hms2 stands ( proac d2) on thick carpeted floor over wood. I’m still a bit confused by coupling and decoupling but the overall effect on my sound was extremely positive, wider soundstage, better instrument separation, improved bass particularly at lower volume. Great enhancement all round. I took the opportunity when fitting them to “clean” my speaker plugs but I don’t think that and the very slight height difference could account for the overall improvement in sound quality and if it’s all down to confirmation bias - thank you to forum members for improving my system.
Great service from Stack audio as well.
8 Likes
Mine have felt. They were delivered with the spikes as well, should I want to install them in future. Which is unlikely unless we move - our house is completely polished wooden floors, with no carpets.
Interesting. I’ve got my Auva 70s under my Finkteam Kims. I need the height that the Fraim spikes give me to keep my rack tidy (I have space for the Headline 2 and Apple TV under the base with the Fraim spikes, and would need extended M8 thread to make the Auva’s work
For the Fraim you’ll need the M10-1.5 adapter
If you email Josh I’m sure he can advise where to get a longer adapter
1 Like
I’ve had the Stack Audio AUVA 50’s here 10+ days, and I am very pleased to have them installed onto the iBLs. I have been surprised at how much everything I play through the system has clearly improved - helping to extract more performance from my loudspeakers and further raise the level of musical enjoyment, which is what it is all about.
I found Josh at Stack Audio provided first class customer service with excellent communication throughout the process - even sending 2 different sizes of spikes so I could pick the optimum length for my carpet, and with prompt delivery it was a very smooth purchase.
Certainly the iBLs are sounding their very best, revealing more from well known music and adding new delights to every listening session. For me, there are absolutely no negatives with this change and I couldn’t be happier. As my music buddy Adrian said on hearing them… “Wow”.
11 Likes
Do you have to lay the speakers down to listen to them
No, it was easier to fit the Isolators and take a photograph!
I feel the joke failed somewhere. It happens often to me too.
3 Likes
Do you have to lay the speakers down to listen to them
Well obviously with the drivers further apart in the horizontal plane, you get a wider soundstage 
1 Like
1 Like