Getting more bass from towers

[Jimbowne]

I've noticed that some people have raised their towers off the floor a couple of inches to get more detailed bass (using 4 spikes or mounts on the bottom)? Can anyone explain the benefits of doing so, and would it be in my interest to elevate my towers off the floor? Any comments or help would be greatly appreiciated

[HomeTheaterVirgin]

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

I've noticed that some people have raised their towers off the floor a couple of inches to get more detailed bass (using 4 spikes or mounts on the bottom)? Can anyone explain the benefits of doing so, and would it be in my interest to elevate my towers off the floor? Any comments or help would be greatly appreiciated

Thats a good question I plan on buying my towers and center first with nosubwoofer I want to know how to get the best out of my towers.Then again the towers are kind of small drivers there monitor 7s.

[Halcro 1]

You really only need 3 spikes to elevate speakers .... First the bass will be tighter ,,not deeper because you are isolating the speaker from the floor . so you wont be using the floor as a radiator ... You can do this also with your sub ... and even your source components and get simmilar results ..but whats nice is you can try it and see if you like it , and for the most part these tweeks dont cost alot of cash

[Beta Man]

Yes, spikes perform a very useful function for both floor standing speakers and bookshelf speakers which are sitting on stands –and especially so with thick carpet floor covering…

As way of explanation, picture this: as the bass cone moves outwards to produce a bass note, there can be a slight reaction (laws of physics) whereby the cabinet itself rocks slightly rear-wards at the same time.

Then, when the cone reverses & moves inwards, the cabinet will tend to restore to its original position and even move slightly forward also.

Thus an oscillatory rocking motion occurs and this will tend to happen at the fundamental frequency at which the rocking motion is resonant to. This movement continues for as long as the bass note that provoked it continues.

Of course, all this is happening on a miniscule scale though; but it is enough to cause ‘smearing’ of the higher frequency sounds –ie: lack of clarity ...And…

It also causes less bass output; because when the cone was moving outwards for the bass note, some of the energy caused the cabinet to move rearwards, and therefore the full grunt of the cone movement wasn’t successful in producing a sound pressure wave outwards into the room. This effect is happening in reverse for the rear-ward cone movements also.

[Hammie]

Spikes on speakers are used for a couple factors. When used on carpets, they allow the speaker to be more secure and less "wobbly." This helps the speaker from moving back and forth. Even the slightest movement can affect the way a sound wave is produced. It is also thought that a spike can improve vibration isolation since there is less mass touching another object. On floors where spike may damage them, there are coin sized discs that can be placed under them. I have seen them where the underside is foam or rubber to help with the vibration isolation.

In regards to raising them off the ground, some actually use risers versus spikes. Risers are more to help distribute the low ends better through out a room. Read Big Daddy's DIY Subwoofer Riser Thread for more information on risers.

As a final note, it is a good idea, actually, it should mandatory that you recalibrate your setup after every change you make. Adding spikes, risers, or just moving the speakers a few inches, may have a negative result until tey have been recalibrated.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

As a final note, it is a good idea, actually, it should mandatory that you recalibrate your setup after every change you make. Adding spikes, risers, or just moving the speakers a few inches, may have a negative result until tey have been recalibrated.

Or a positive result...... but you'll never know until you properly calibrate!

I also feel that an SPL meter is a must....... I wouldn't rely on the built in tools (such as the audessey or whatever it is, that I keep hearing people refer to)

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Spikes on speakers are used for a couple factors. When used on carpets, they allow the speaker to be more secure and less "wobbly." This helps the speaker from moving back and forth. Even the slightest movement can affect the way a sound wave is produced. It is also thought that a spike can improve vibration isolation since there is less mass touching another object. On floors where spike may damage them, there are coin sized discs that can be placed under them. I have seen them where the underside is foam or rubber to help with the vibration isolation.

In regards to raising them off the ground, some actually use risers versus spikes. Risers are more to help distribute the low ends better through out a room. Read Big Daddy's DIY Subwoofer Riser Thread for more information on risers.

As a final note, it is a good idea, actually, it should mandatory that you recalibrate your setup after every change you make. Adding spikes, risers, or just moving the speakers a few inches, may have a negative result until tey have been recalibrated.

Why would you recalabrate after adding spikes ????you arent adding any SPL so whats correction going to do ????You try the spikes and YES trust your ears ...Ive played around with speaker placement for 2 weeks .... were talking toeing speakers in , out in 1 degree increments and there is NO need to recalabrate ...And for bookshelf speakers get stands that you can fill with sand or Lead shot... that makes a big difference

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

I've noticed that some people have raised their towers off the floor a couple of inches to get more detailed bass (using 4 spikes or mounts on the bottom)? Can anyone explain the benefits of doing so, and would it be in my interest to elevate my towers off the floor? Any comments or help would be greatly appreiciated

This is a funny thread. IMO floor spikes would not improve anything. your raising the towers maybe an inch and a half tops. its irrelevant, and besides, most towers are pushing mid range not subs. keep the bass management to your subwoofer...

[Jimbowne]

Actually my towers have two 8" drivers each, and my sub is passive, so for now I'm running a 5.0 system. There is a considerable amount of bass with my towers already, but I would like a little more low-end clarity since I'm currently limited to a 5.0 system. Does anyone know a place where I can buy spikes/risers?
ps. Thanks Beta Man for the 3rd law of physics integrated into your explaination

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

Actually my towers have two 8" drivers each, and my sub is passive, so for now I'm running a 5.0 system. There is a considerable amount of bass with my towers already, but I would like a little more low-end clarity since I'm currently limited to a 5.0 system. Does anyone know a place where I can buy spikes/risers?
ps. Thanks Beta Man for the 3rd law of physics integrated into your explaination

Do yourself a favor and buy a subwoofer then. There is a reason they call it 5.1

[Jimbowne]

Believe me I would If I had the extra cash... But right now I'm a poor college student

[rded]

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

Actually my towers have two 8" drivers each, and my sub is passive, so for now I'm running a 5.0 system. There is a considerable amount of bass with my towers already, but I would like a little more low-end clarity since I'm currently limited to a 5.0 system. Does anyone know a place where I can buy spikes/risers?
ps. Thanks Beta Man for the 3rd law of physics integrated into your explaination

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

Believe me I would If I had the extra cash... But right now I'm a poor college student

3 things you need to find out:

1. Do your towers have threads for you to screw in a spike. Some speakers have built in spikes that you can just engage with an allen wrench.
2. You may want to contact the manufacturer if they can supply you the spikes if the answer to the 1st question is a yes. If they cant supply you with spikes make sure you get the number of the thread and find outif its metric or english.
3. You may want to consider disks under the spikes when engaged to prevent damaging and scratching your hardwood floors.

The only place I know of is www.musicdirect.com. Spikes range from $5-7 a piece I think to over a hundred. Spikes and pucks/disks can be pricey. Hope this helps.

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by Jimbowne

Believe me I would If I had the extra cash... But right now I'm a poor college student

haha, been there so i can totally understand that. If you want more bass out of your speakers, try lowering the Hz on your crossovers. I honestly doubt your going to notice any difference with the spikes...