You can also turn the isolators 180 degrees (facing backwards) if you dont want to see the IsoAcoustics logo. In a desktop situation, typically our ears are about 20 inches above the desk. Here's a thought : the proaudio stands are relatively cheap eg StoreDJ. Well, thats exactly what the IsoAcoustics team did. Nothing worked. No, the Aperta series only comes with 1 length of the tube. IsoAcoustics isolation products perform two primary functions: Sean gave me a deep dive into their patented isolation technology to gain a better understanding how IsoAcoustics GAIA isolators work. We recommend using our online calculator to determine which Aperta model is the best fit for your speakers. Instruments even more firmly planted in space and time. And yes: the differences are greater than we thought! Buy your squash balls / tennis balls / other DIY affordable solutions and if they work for you, great. A very nice system. In addition to imaging, the effect on bass notes was physically and audibly noticeable. We estimate that these would do better than the Townshend under the subwoofer. IsoAcoustics Gaia loudspeaker isolation feet | Stereophile.com Dr. Floyd Tooles, Dr. Sean Olives, and Todd Weltis work at the NRC has laid a strong foundation for what much of what we now hold as fundamental truths in acoustics and psychoacoustics of loudspeakers and headphones. M8 Spacer. Imaging, soundstage depth, and soundstage stability are all an important part of my listening enjoymentit was those areas where the difference immediately struck me. It wasnt so much room correction as it was isolation. As the science behind speaker-room interactions continues to mature, well learn new things, develop new tools, and adapt methodologies. Please ensure that the top plate of the stand is large enough for the Aperta stand. For best results, we recommend positioning the stands with the IsoAcoustics logo facing forward, in the same direction as the drivers. Unlike other isolation products Ive used (like Sorbothane) IsoAcoustics isolators are made of a resilient elastomer that do not leave a residue or marking on the floor. I bumped up against the Salon2 and even put a bit of pressure with my hands against the side of the Revels. The obvious answer is phone a friend or get your spouse to ensure that the installation goes smoothly. I quickly asked the guy there what he thought about the fact that comparing two sets of the same speakers might have audible differences between them due to tolerance of manufacture presumably being less than 100%. I also thought about using an air shimand even purchased three of them to give them a try. But after a few minutes, it became clear that the best option for larger speakers is to make it a two-person affair. There were no snake oil claims in the product descriptions of vibranium, adamantium, or unobtainium alloys forged in the heart of a dying star and then cryogenically frozen for a thousand years to align Higgs Boson particles into some mythical object immune to the laws of physics. I had the pleasure of coordinating my review Sean Morrison, IsoAcoustics Product Specialist and also happens to be Daves son. We decided that the ideal setup would be to test IsoAcoustics GAIA isolators on two different speaker setups. To put the improvement into perspective; it's not as big as room treatment, speaker and chair placement but once you have all those sorted, the sound gets more relaxed in the highs. For the Alec (floor standers) the effect was very similar to what I had observed elsewhere (overall tightening up of the bass, better clarity, and more spacial accuracy of instruments in the sound stage). The isolator is best described as a resilient elastometer. Fair enough. IsoAcoustics; Gaia vs Aperta IGNORED IsoAcoustics; Gaia vs Aperta. From all the other similar products I tried this is the best., "The difference in clarity, depth perspective, bass delineation and stereo image is truly amazing. I did indeed perceive that the soundstage and the bass tightened up. of the product in question. As. ISOAcoustics difference. Later in the stream we play with a combination of Primacoustic under the subwoofer and the Townshend under the SCM40A and that is really beautiful. The immediate improvement in clarity and perspective with the IsoAcoustics stands was like opening a window You can hear the depth of the reverb tails and the bass is so well defined. But heres the important nuance to that statement. Success! Sean told me that the directional performance is important when used with speakers and subwoofers because the isolators are designed to be aligned with the speakers drivers. Powered by Invision Community. He heads up many of our speaker system and receiver reviews as well as covering the latest in streaming technologies and Ultra HD video. Even after months of use, the GAIA kept my hardwood floor in perfect condition. Moreover, isolation most certainly needs to be part of our conversation of optimizing speaker-room performance and as far as I'm concerned now belongs as an essential part of our optimization toolkit. But theres a broader aspect to vibration as well: Vibration going into the room, back into the speaker, and out to your electronics with potential microphonic effect. There are different GAIA isolators for different speaker weight classes. Followers 0. Do the Aperta stands come with height adjustment? The Aperta & Aperta200 Support Plates can be affixed to any supporting surface to provide a larger surface area for the Aperta stands. The quest continues, but I think I'm getting closer to the Holy Grail! You can however measure vibration, and that was measurably less with the use of this product according to IsoAcoustics. I also liked the option of tilting them upwards.. Exactly in the weight class of the SCM40A. And after that, success! In any case, it is the only reason we can think of why the midrange becomes a bit harsh and sharp. There was no marking, scratching or residual impact on my hardwood floor. Light bulb working and not working, measurable. M12 Vanity Cap (Sopra Cap) . And on the topic of not being able to measure sound quality and standing on the back of When I turned on listening material I knew extremely well for the first time, I was literally stunned. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? In short: it is interesting to try three systems with one set of speakers. Did the GAIA address speaker-room resonances and interactions? From there it was an all-out bass quest. From the regular feet to the Primacoustic is just bizarre. All Rights Reserved. Thus, I discussed with Morrison the possibility of reviewing some of the footers by trying them out on two sets of speakers that were currently at my home. 2" x 1.7" (51mm x 43mm). And yes: the differences are greater than we thought! IsoAcoustics Subwoofer Isolation Stand: Aperta Sub (10.5" W x 11.5" D) The broad takeaway from these experiments is that GAIA isolators address harmful vibrations and help mitigate boundary effects without impacting the speakers sound was measurable. I guess on a timber floor any bass that makes the floor vibrate will have an impact on the accuracy of the tweeter if that vibration makes itsway back into the stands and therefore the speakers. The Gaia II can support a loudspeaker of up to 121 pounds per set of four feet. Performance Rating: Value Rating: Review Date: November 19, 2021 01:50. The mids were already great, but now the bottom end is sorted out and I'm hearing details across the range I just couldn't before. This works extremely well. You can see that the GAIA reduced the velocity of vibrations relative to spikes and more closely tracked the vibration isolation afforded by bungee cords. Under the Sopra No1 they work very well. You can rest assured that among my first albums to play wasYoYo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone. with the strap wrench technique in play I was able to quickly get the IsoAcoustics GAIA attached to the massive RBH SVTR Signature speakers. The Celesta at 55 lbs each (without stands) had 4 spikes on the bottom of each speaker which then sat on stands, while the Alec at 75 lbs each had 4 spikes on each bottom which sat on the floor. Noticeable right from the start, the Gaias are classy-looking disc-shaped footers housed in machined stainless steel with a dark chrome finish with a soft, black, thin, lower part of the internal isolator exposed (which adheres to a hard surface). The data shows that this is not the case here. Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment not marketing slogans, Get a 1hr consultation with Gene for $200. We hear more control and more energy. Speaker stands are very important part of the equation to achieve the best sound. Now the next question: Did those controlled environment measurements translate into audible, real-world perceptions? A nice example is the track Escondido from the albumEarly Reflectionsby Bennie Maupin (2008) with its very engaging, deep and melodic bass clarinet. A representative from IsoAcoustics willreview the details and respondby email. Some well-known and well respected speakers companies, like Marten, PSB, and Dynaudio, are starting to include IsoAcoustics isolators with their speakers. IsoAcoustics - Delos 2216M1 Isolation Platform (Maple, 22" x 16", 1.75" Thick) **OPEN BOX**. individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating For the Celestas, I then simply had to place the speakers back on the stands, and with no spikes involved it was easier (no precise holes to get each spike into). Dave was also part of the design team faced with the challenges of building the worlds largest multi-media center in Toronto: Over 1.72 million square feet, with recording studios for drama, music, and chamber ensembles, special effects, radio and television shows. The bass energy that was rattling through the hardwood floor, sofa, and surrounding objects was mastered. Watch this space I'll get back to you with results (and pictures). When we switch from the Townshend to the normal feet we already hear some more kick and balance. Australian Business Number 38 650 151 296, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php. The platforms for the SCM40A are versions with green stickers; they work up to 60 Kg. I did not (in this review) experiment with any of those other products. The Aperta 300 is a great fit for many center channel speakers. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). During my review period, I complemented the Salon2s with an SVS SB16-Ultra and SB13-Ultra subwoofers placed within two feet of the Salon2sa perfect test of the decoupling prowess of the IsoAcoustics GAIA. In either case it was an easy exchange. Can the Aperta stands tilt upwards and downwards? I've looked at the IsoAcoustics website and they have measurements showing improvements in vibration but those same measurements show no improvement in frequency response or anything else for that matter. The difference that speaker positioning, room treatments, multi-sub configurations, and room equalization can make are audible, measurable, and among your biggest bang for the buck. Because the interaction of our speakers and our rooms are so much a part of the equation, Ive often wondered if we should add vibration control and isolation to the optimization list. Here we explain the 3 main differences you should be aware about. For thos, By all means, try the Bunnings pads. In the main VPI listening room during my visit, two identical pairs of speakers were connected to a system (playing from a fine and varied VPI collection of LPs on a VPI HW40 Direct Drive Turntable); one with standard spikes, and the other with Gaia footers. I think my tinkering, while subdued for now, was well worth the adventure.