Speaker stands query

Hi,

I own a pair of 1 meter high speaker stands for my bookshelf speakers, which each have 4 pillars.

Im planning on filling each pillar with sand inside a stocking to make for a more solid platform for my speakers.

Ive heard that as well as providing a more solid platform, this should also enhance sound/bass quality.


Queries:

Is filling my speaker stands with sand really likely to improve sound quality?.

Is there a certain amount of sand I should be filling my speaker stands with? (ie half way, 3 quarters or full).


Thanks. Alex.

 

"Is filling my speaker stands with sand really likely to improve sound quality?."

...depends on personal taste... but in my experience without doubt!




:boogie:


:band:


:banana:





The thing tto do is try it and see!

You can always take it out again if you don't like the effect.

If it was me out I would fully-fill

Use kiln-dried sand (not damp).....either for your local builders merchants..............or from your oven .

Let us know what you think!?

 

It would probably be easier for me to just fill the speaker stands directly with sand, without using stockings.

Is this advisable, given that my stands are metal?.

 

I'd recomend some decent fishnets...

 

whoa tiger.......






I've no heared of using stockings .....I just bunged sand in the hole.

 

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...w=137&prev=/images?q=fishnets&um=1&hl=en&sa=N



sorry ali

just had to be done

 

It should help stop the stands ringing sympathetically in the mid-band. If you tap the posts, I bet the 'ding' quite clearly.

The extra weight should also give a steady support for the speaker and may improve bass.

 

Just fill them directly - as long as the sand is dry. If you can wedge a bit of polystyrene or similiar in the bottom though so the sand doesn't go down the spike holes when you adjust the spikes.

 

Yeh - I used sharp sand from Wickes and both stands rusted

 

Wicks also sells Kiln dried. Not that they seemed to know what the hell it was when I asked for it!

 

NEWSFLASH!!

I just took the top surface off my stands to take a look & there definately isn't enough space there for me to fit sand filled stockings.

It looks like I will be bunging the sand in afterall!.


I bought some sand (for this purpose) last year from B & Q (I think). Its definately in need of drying though.


Is there a store where you can buy dry sand?. (Kiln dried from Wicks you say!)

Or

Is there a good way of drying sand without using an oven? (I asked my mum & she's not keen on the idea).

 

Lead shot would be better

 

My spikes are located seperately to the pillars, so theres not really a problem there.

 

Where can I buy lead shot and how expensive is it? (can I expect to pay a lot more?).

Do some people prefer to use sand over lead shot (vice versa), or is it mostly a matter of cost?.

How much lead shot would I likely need to buy for 8 fairly thin 1 meter high hollow pillars?

 

I'm happy with sand. Atacama make something called SoundBites.

 

B and Q sells kiln dried sand for about 4 quid a bag.
Normal sand is quite high in moisture content so will rust the stands.
You could also get playsand from a toy shop (the bag I have at the moment for the kids is kiln dried).

 

dry the sand at 120 deg for about and hour ....remember it will stay hot for a long time ....

if you have any clumping then its not dry ...!

it should flow easily ...make a funnel from paper and don't try to over fill it just let it run in at its own pace.

seal with tape or silicone ...this will be hydroscopic so will attract moisture therefore you need to seal the sand from the atm.

 

Good question?

Your local DIY store will do you kiln dried sand, as some one said for 4/5 quid the bag.

I think you'll need more than one bag.

 

Ali X, No doubt you have read the reply to your identical question on PFM and I would second the opinion of andyr.

 

I do think that lead shot or atabites would be a better option over sand, since they have extra mass.

I don't think I can justify the extra cost for them though!.

For instance, atabites cost about £25 for a 9kg tub & even then I don't know for sure how many tubs I would need!.

(Could I be looking at £100 or more!!?)...