I had to use a strap wrench to finally pry them loose. This setup allowed for the testing of each setup while keeping other variables consistent. M12 Vanity Cap (Sopra Cap) . Unbeknown to me the statement was not in relation to sound quality but vibration. We finally decided to put a blanket on top of a very large dolly that has legs on the shaft so that when tipped, the dolly rests horizontally. You wont see any differences when measuring using an SPL meter for example. Professional broadcasting and audio is in Daves DNA. However, if you do not have feet on your current speakers then you may find it more efficient to tilt your speaker on its side to do the job. The same goes for isolation. For wider center channel speakers, we recommend using a pair of Aperta or Aperta200 stands. For a clean look, you can turn the stands backwards so that the logo is not visible. And after that, success! Associated equipment with the Ultima2 Salons included an Anthem AVM 60 and Benchmark AHB2 power amplifiers configured in dual mono sourced with an Oppo UDP-205, Cambridge Audio CXNv2, Roon Nucleus server, and AppleTV 4K as sources. By realysm42 March 10, 2020 in General Hi-Fi Discussion Share More sharing options. Neither my Ultima2 Salon nor the RBH SVTR took the standard GAIA thread sizes. We recommendmeasuringthe dimensions of the Aperta stand against the flat bottom surface of your speaker to verify how they will fit. When we are experimenting anyway at the end and we switch to a combination of Townshend under the ATCs and Primacoustic under the sub, everything is complete. Using a laservibrometer, an instrument that measures vibrations on a surface and rapidly scans point-by-point over the test objects surface to measure vibration levels at various points, Sean showed me how IsoAcoustics isolators reduced the resonant energy transferred from the speaker to the supporting floor surface. M8 Spacer. Notice the large rubber washer between the massive feet of the RBH SVTR Towers. If thats indeed the case, then you should be able to measure the effects. Detailed. No lack of Punch I noted. Most Popular 1 to 24 (of 40 products) 1 2 >> IsoAcoustics ISO-155 Medium-Sized Monitor Isolation Stands (Pair) IsoAcoustics Inc. is pleased to introduce the next evolution of our specialized line of speaker stands for the audio professional, music hobbyist, audiophile, and music lover. The isolators use IsoAcoustics patented design which consists of a top isolator, bottom isolator, and a connector. The carpet spikes will run you an extra $59.99. The ISO-Stands comes in a black finish. Theo is a serious audiophile and home theater enthusiasta passion he's enjoyed for over 20 years. Install the proper thread size and knurled lock nut into the side with a small notch. The air between instruments and performers was firmly anchored in a manner I had not previously experienced. Copyright 19982023 Audioholics, LLC. I was looking for a way to further my perpetual quest to squeeze even more performance out of my system in my listening room. In both instances, the GAIA isolators kept the Salon2 firmly in their designated position. But hey: the results are great! OREA vs. ISO-Puck Series: 4 Key Differences, IsoAcoustics Holiday Draw Enter to Win GAIAs, Michael Romanowski Reviews the V120 Isolation Mount by IsoAcoustics, The Aperta Series vs. I found these Aperta stands by @isoacoustics did the trick. The sound quality has exploded. 4. In fact, implementing a stereo set of GAIA isolators into your setup may end up costing you somewhere in the neighborhood of 5%-20% of your speaker's MSRP. @satanica As for measurements; The improvement is large enough to not need measurements to prove there is an improvement. A representative from IsoAcoustics willreview the details and respondby email. Geoffrey and Yung have been using the Aperta platforms under various products for a while now and they have no complaints either. I was intrigued and ready to tinker. Every good speaker manufacturer worth their salt mitigates cabinet vibration as part of their design goal. Powered by Invision Community. There are additional conversations with manufacturers about which IsoAcoustics could not publicly discuss details. And that a good product like the Isoacoustics doesnt always work at its best. 2. Check, the GAIA are an ideal solution for hardwood floor setups. The data shows that this is not the case here. Success! They are threaded into the base of the speaker to replace the existing spikes (or other threaded feet). Instruments even more firmly planted in space and time. In this video, veteran audio engineering and recording studio professional Jim Pavett gives a review of the IsoAcoustics L8R and Aperta series and Pucks. The GAIA once again reduced the extreme vibrations from the songs rich bass lines from reverberating into the rooms substructure. I immediately jumped toYoYo Ma Plays Ennio Morriconeand that resonance that I had noticed so many times was gone. Well, fear not, this is part of their isolation design. Gone. The bass is just less tight and it also comes across as a bit puffy and woolly. From the regular feet to the Primacoustic is just bizarre. The Apertas are offered in two colors, black, and aluminum. The bottom of the isolation feet have a small concave shape that provides a suction cup connection to smoother surfaces. Yes. Frank Filipetti, Grammy Award Winning Producer/Enginneer whose long list of credits includes Foreigner, Carly Simon, Barbara Streisand, James Taylor, and George Michael to name a few. Should you need a different thread size, you can order it through an authorized dealer. To demonstrate this point, IsoAcoustics set up a test environment at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada. The isolator is best described as a resilient elastometer. Fair enough. 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. The thread size is critically important. For this reason, the isolators themselves are directional. However small, a very pleasant and addictive change. The opening slam of To Zucchabar; the awe-inspiring track, The Might of Rome; to the slam to open Imagine the Fire from The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack, this was perhaps the best Id ever heard these tracks from my setup. By IsoAcoustics - Delos 2216M1 Isolation Platform (Maple, 22" x 16", 1.75" Thick) **OPEN BOX**. I didn't expect any change in sound because of the weight already in the stands. I didnt need to be concerned about damaging my hardwood floor or going through different prophylactic gyrations. The process shown in the video is fine to do by yourself for a three to four foot speaker. Mine were! The whole picture is just right. Yes your eyes will tell you when the light bulb is working and so will a light meter so in your attempt of an analogy you actually presented one where there would be measurable differences. The quantity and quality of the bass output from the SVTR Signature Towers is simply body blowing and anything Ill write will fail to convey the experience of these speakers. For those of you in apartment complexes, I dont want to give the misimpression that the GAIA are somehow your answer to stopping bass transference between rooms or apartments. There is more air in the imaging. Not my words but worth considering. We are quite satisfied with the Isoacoustics products. It will set you back a serious amount, but hey: the results are there! Even though the Salons and the RBH SVTR Signature Tower have unbelievably inert cabinets, I was curious to see if the IsoAcoustics isolators would address some cabinet and room resonance issues. Learn about our patented isolation technology, and the science behind the sound. Perhaps we should rename the NRC the Sacred Temple of the Audio World. If the speakers are resting on top of the stands, then we recommend isolating between the speaker and the stand. I did indeed perceive that the soundstage and the bass tightened up. We decided that the ideal setup would be to test IsoAcoustics GAIA isolators on two different speaker setups. The Online Journal for the Serious Audiophile. The scoring below is based on each piece of Tipping the Salon2 a bit until the suction released from the floor allowed me to put a towel or rag under the GAIA. My ancestor Archimedes would have been proud. In this video, veteran audio engineering and recording studio professional Jim Pavett gives a review of the IsoAcoustics L8R and Aperta series and Pucks. Bass was mastered without being emasculated. When the GAIA models arrived the first thing that struck me was the sheer weight of the boxes relative to their size. We recommend using our online calculator to determine which Aperta model is the best fit for your speakers. IsoAcoustics Gaia Series Isolation Feet for Speakers & Subwoofers (Gaia III, 70 lb max) - Set of 4. In any case, it is the only reason we can think of why the midrange becomes a bit harsh and sharp. This works extremely well. Any standard thread size is accommodated right away (M8-1.25, M12-1.25 and 1/4-20)IsoAcoustics will make you a custom sized threading screw if need be. Therefore, I highly recommend you take GAIA for a spin yourself and draw your own conclusions. Here we explain the 3 main differences you should be aware about. 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. Each GAIA isolator is individually protected in molded padding. The ISO-PUCK was originally designed for the Pro Audio market and is a very versatile isolator for studio monitors, guitar/bass amps and cabinets, subwoofers, DJ equipment, mic stands etc and has a fairly broad performance curve. Subsonic bass on Bonnie McKees Trouble rattled me to the core. Seen for the first time at the 141st Audio Engineering Society Convention in Los Angeles, IsoAcousticss new Aperta 300 speaker isolation stands expand the acclaimed Aperta series, designed to support center channel speakers or studio monitors in horizontal configuration, providing a wider base and supporting up to 60lbs (27.2kg). To fine-tune speaker placement, tilt the speaker and put a cloth under the GAIA to slide them into any position. Its almost Goldilocks perfect. The IsoAcoustics Aperta stands feature a unique integrated tilt adjustment that enables the user to dial-in the optimum tilt angle, with fine gradation markings provided to ensure the precision of the angle adjustments. His well-rounded experience and Electrical Engineering degree allows him to teach in a way that expands your knowledge with no limiting concepts. His well-rounded experience and Electrical Engineering degree allows him to teach in a way that expands your knowledge with no limiting concepts. In short: it is interesting to try three systems with one set of speakers. Vibration is the sworn enemy of optimal system performance. Even after months of use, the GAIA kept my hardwood floor in perfect condition. Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. And yes: the differences are greater than we thought! Even before I got to the point in the tracks I was looking for, I was struck by what seemed to be a tighter overall presentation to the music. The isolation is a result of the way the 3 parts work together, so there is not a single path connecting the live equipment to the supporting surface. 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. Check out the full list of current IsoAcoustics OEM partners. The carpet spike cups are independent of the GAIA isolators so that you can remove them and use your GAIA on hardwood anytime. However, we strongly recommend to take these feet into consideration, because in many cases you have a very interesting product for a good price. That may be due to the wrong distance of the down firing woofer to the floor. The SVTRs massive, solid aluminum feet would not unscrew. The GAIA provided a stable support for my Salon2. IsoAcoustics tested speakers on GAIA isolators and then the test was repeated with the speakers raised onto spikes using solenoids. a set of 4 per box. The one thing that my months-long experience with IsoAcoustics GAIA isolators taught me is that decoupling the speakers from the flooring substrate and dampening the resulting vibrations plays a role in improving the perceived soundstage, imaging detail, and improves the overall experience of the music. The Aperta & Aperta200 Support Plates can be affixed to any supporting surface to provide a larger surface area for the Aperta stands. He heads up many of our speaker system and receiver reviews as well as covering the latest in streaming technologies and Ultra HD video. They decouple the speaker from the supporting surface to a degree. They never pay full price for anything. This is done, as with Townshend, with certain rubbers adapted to the weight class. 3. The directionality of the isolators is aligned with the logo facing forward. He later sent an email saying he was happy with the improvement. Now the ATC SCM40A is a closed system and we are guessing that this does not go so well with the GAIAs. The Gaia III are simple in concept; replacement feet that screw into the base of a loudspeaker instead of the supplied spikes or ballfeet. 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. 34 Items Show Sort By -11% IsoAcoustics Aperta Sub Isolation Stand For Subwoofers $267 Was $299 More Information Add to Cart -12% IsoAcoustics Aperta300 27kg Speaker Isolation Stand Black $248 Was $279 More Information Add to Cart -11% IsoAcoustics Aperta200 34kg Speaker Isolation Stands Black $404 Was $449 More Information Add to Cart -21% For best results, we recommend positioning the stands with the IsoAcoustics logo facing forward, in the same direction as the drivers. I had also heard such improvement at a friends home with a pair of Revel Salon 2 loudspeakers. After I had the IsoAcoustics GAIA installed, I noticed that they had some play if I pushed on them. of the product in question. But the floor was covered with a shag rug. The sensation is as though the SVTR Signature Towers cabinets became more inert. Starting at the 21-second mark of the track Dinner from Lady Calif and culminating at the 57-second mark, the smearing I had previously experienced was addressed and corrected by the GAIA isolators. Whether it needs to cost as much as the Gaias to get the desired effect is a matter for everyone individually. Obviously not that many people would need them but if only there was a model that suported 300kg speakers ? You missed the capital S in Satanica so I didn't get a notification. The downward tilt can be achieved by rotating the bottom frame so that the height adjustable poles are used at the back of the stand. Among other products, IsoAcoustics also makes an Orea Series of isolation footers for devices that do not require a threading screw for placement under amps or DACS, etc, as well as an Aperta Series of isolation stands for bookshelf-sized speakers. In this video, veteran audio engineering and recording studio professional Jim Pavett gives a review of the IsoAcoustics Gaia & Aperta Isolation stands and d. May I suggest thehttps://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.phpforums? So we tipped the SVTR onto the dolly so that we had a solid working platform. While the Revels do come with a blunt end on their spiked feet, Ive been using them without spikes out of sheer practicality. You don't put a Volt meter on your kitchen light to check whether it's on or not. 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. A nice example is the track Escondido from the albumEarly Reflectionsby Bennie Maupin (2008) with its very engaging, deep and melodic bass clarinet. The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing While the ISO-L8R series is designed for nearfield studio monitors, the Aperta series was created for the home audio market with bookshelf and center channel speakers. In a desktop situation, typically our ears are about 20 inches above the desk. There are different GAIA isolators for different speaker weight classes. As. Bear in mind, the Aperta 300 is priced each unlike the others priced per pair. If you use speakersespecially very heavy speakerson hardwood you know exactly the problem Im referring to. The Aperta series does not have a taller height setting because in a typical home audio setting, the height adjustment is not often beneficial because of the greater distance between the listening position and the speakers. More on this, I attended the 2018 HiFi show and visited the room where the IsoAcoustic stands were being demonstrated. Well, after nearly a decade of fumbling through different solutions on hardwood, the GAIA isolators have indeed become my ultimate solution for speakers on hardwood. The online product selector or your local IsoAcoustics dealer will be invaluable to help determine that all-important detail. Now $499.00. Each isolator comeswrapped in a clear plastic to ensure you don't scratchthem prior toinstallation. The Aperta stands are supposed to be better but it is difficult to pick them apart in listening tests. I simply unscrewed each spike, and screwed in its place the appropriate Gaia. All the energy is managed by the isolators, which are tuned to work over specific weight ranges. For ultra-heavy speakers there is yet another "Gaia-Titan . Vibrations travel down the pipe, hit the wall, and come back. The setup was plugged into a Bryston BIT 20 Power Isolation Transformer on a dedicated 20-amp . Was $599.99. Thats not what the GAIA will do. Perhaps the journey would be less complicated if we reframed it as: How can I optimize my systems performance in my listening room? Now there is the nuance! The way it works is a function of how the three parts work together and the characteristics of the materials comprising the isolation feet. Ahh now you have discovered why the big end of town becomes as it is. The tilt adjustment feature can be used to better focus the speakers to ear level. Perhaps with a front / side firing woofer it does work. 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. All Rights Reserved. Of course you can use Bunnigs's pads and they may well work really well. March 10, 2020 in General Hi-Fi Discussion, How predictable, someone asks for opinions on a few products - and the $2 boffins push their barrow! IsoAcoustics products are used by countless recording engineers such as: Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer Eddie Kramer who has worked with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones. The suction cup design prevented any accidental repositioning of the speakerseven with an accidental nudge or a bit of force. There it looks for another way to dissipate. Buy your squash balls / tennis balls / other DIY affordable solutions and if they work for you, great. The setup was plugged into a Bryston BIT 20 Power Isolation Transformer on a dedicated 20-amp circuit. I think @evil c is working towards to being at the big end of town to join with the elite like @jakeyb77 and it looks like great progress is being made. Install the GAIA and then rotate the foot until the logo is facing the front of the speaker (or 180 degrees backwards) and then tighten the locknut into place. I was looking to isolate my speakers from the hardwood floor to mitigate some of the physical vibrations that went into the room from my speakers without altering the soundI did not want a solution that dampened or muddied the impact of lower frequencies. The improvement offered by the Gaia was for me noticeable and not subtle: Overall tightening up of the bass, better clarity, and more spacial accuracy of instruments in the sound stage. 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 have lead and sand filled stands that used to be on spikes. There are three models of Gaia, the I, II, and III, for various weights of speaker; the total price of a set of eight Gaia Is for a two-channel system is $1119.98. Although your author must confess that he does like it. It looks like the Aperta are the last link in the chain to a truly great system, aside from me fine tuning speaker placement., Are your bookshelf speakers on your bookshelf? If youhave any questions or concerns,you can submit an inquiry to IsoAcoustics for reviewthrough the online calculator. Ive used various isolation products before and the thing that probably surprised me the most was to learn that IsoAcoustics isolators are directional. Detail of the IsoAcoustics GAIA Titan included isolators and accessories. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers 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. Townshend, Isoacoustics, Primacoustic, iFi iCAN Phantom flagship headphone amplifier, A (very!) Prev; 1; 2; 3; Next; Page 2 of 3 . I went up to the Salon2s and put my hands on the surrounding floor. I had the GAIA I and the GAIA Titan ready to rock and roll. But the stereo image can also become a bit compact for a hi-fi experience. You're welcome. I'm glad we could clear that up, thank you. And yes: the differences are greater than we thought! Performance Rating: Value Rating: Review Date: November 19, 2021 01:50. The same was true of the next cut. 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). step-by-step video on YouTube that you can watch here, RBH Sound SVTR Tower Reference Speaker Review, IsoAcoustics GAIA Isolators Review: Improving Your Loudspeakers Sound, Demonstrably reduces vibrations going from the speaker into your listening room, Easy to install unless your speakers are huge and unwieldy, Optional carpet spikes available (though at added cost), How much difference youll notice seems to depend on your flooring substrate, Need to confirm you have the correct thread size for your speaker prior to ordering. IsoAcoustics GAIA: Does this Speaker Tweak Really Work? 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. These were initially intended for under the subwoofer, however, they turn out to work great under the SCM40A as well. With everything properly set up and positioned, it was time for some listening tests. The result is either a scratch or worse a puncture. These are two reference speaker systems. Where the Gaias pull ahead are looks (the reason I bought them) and the fact that they'vebeen tested to work under a specific load. I installed the GAIA I on Revel Ultima2 Salons on a hardwood floor. The ISO-Stand Series offers 14 variations of height and tilt adjustment to optimize the placement of your speakers. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? Put a pair of Gaia 3's under your washing machine and they will simply get squashed and possibly even end up metal to metal. With a sculpted aluminum frame and patented IsoAcoustics integrated isolators, the Aperta Sub introduces a new standard in acoustic isolation for subwoofers. The company serves the audiophile, cinemaphile, musician, and professional engineer alike. And remember the SVTR are two independent modules bolted together with a steel plate! The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. I should note that unlike most Audioholics reviews where we do not engage room correction for listening tests, I did engage Anthem ARC and Audyssey for the overwhelming majority of the review period, though I limited equalization to under 400Hz in both setups (as I typically do). Meanwhile, the Gaia III made the Celesta (my reference speakers) sound a dash more Celestial: a dash more of a fuller lusher sound with more air in addition to some of the improvements (but not as strong here) I had observed elsewhere. The GAIA I ($599.99 for a pack of four) is designed for speaker loads up to 220 pounds; the GAIA II ($299.99) for speakers up to 120 pounds; and the GAIA III ($199.99) for speakers up to 70 pounds . They should look cool with the black and silver hardware ofthe speakers. They are shaped with an internal taper and concave that prevents off axis movements and keeps the energy on-axis and aligned with the direction of the transducers travel. The sound balance with the Primacoustic is just very pleasant. The GAIA I comes with M8-1.25, M12-1.25, -20 and the GAIA Titan Theis come with -13, M8-1.25 and M14-2.0. The GAIA I and GAIA Titan are meticulously packaged. I bumped up against the Salon2 and even put a bit of pressure with my hands against the side of the Revels. Here is a detailed view of the thread sizes included with my GAIA Titan review set. Are there measurements showing sound quality improvements? Screw the GAIA into your speakers bottom threading. Some well-known and well respected speakers companies, like Marten, PSB, and Dynaudio, are starting to include IsoAcoustics isolators with their speakers. It was that the GAIA completely eliminated transferring vibrations into the flooron the contrary, I could still feel the room shaking but there was a reduction in the amount of bass I felt reverberating into the floor structure itself without necessarily impacting the quantity of the bass performance. But your professional qualifications on vibrations and experience does not necessarily translate to better audio outcomes. The Revels weigh in at 146 lbs each while the RBH SVTR Signature Towers weigh in at a whopping 205 lbs each! 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. Vocals were tighter, more detailed and the stereo image was rock solid. The two setups would highlight speakers of differing weights supported by differing floor structures: The first setup would consist of my Revel Ultima2 Salon that sit on a hardwood floor while second would consist of RBH SVTR Signature Tower speakers that sit on vinyl flooring laid over a concrete floor. The Townshend seismic isolation platforms, Isoacoustics Gaia II and the Primacoustic RX12. Associated equipment with the Ultima2 Salons included an Anthem AVM 60 and Benchmark AHB2 power amplifiers configured in dual mono sourced with an Oppo UDP-205, Cambridge Audio CXNv2, Roon Nucleus server, and AppleTV 4K as sources. Please ensure that the top plate of the stand is large enough for the Aperta stand. Get the Audioholics AV Gear Guide Ebook FREE! For thos, By all means, try the Bunnings pads. Start a debate thread in the appropriate section of SN if you wish to challenge the theory and application. I wanted to raise the tweeters on my speakers more to ear height. For both pairs of speakers, I detached the speaker wires and laid each speaker on the rug on its side. Aperta stands can be positioned on the floor, shelf, credenza, desktop or on a floor stand. They need to screw in to be effective. 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. The experience was moving and majestic. How do I determine which Aperta model will work best for my speaker? Copyright IsoAcoustics Inc. All rights reserved. Should someone bump into the Salons or push them it would certainly scratch the hardwood floorits already happened. The Aperta series is recommended if your speakers would benefit from tilt adjustment to better focus the tweeters to ear level. By now you may be wondering and the answer is YES, IsoAcoustics does offer a $499 F1 Speaker Jack. Its as though the GAIA effectively neutered the deleterious effects of the room and furnishings while letting the music run free. Nevertheless, my experience with the GAIA was so overwhelmingly positive that Im going to do something that I dont often do with review gearmake it a permanent part of my personal setup going forward. Bass drums on Fanfare for the Common Man by the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eiji Oue was the same effect. So, it appears there are no measurements supporting sound quality improvements for IsoAcoustics products.