Filling Speaker Stands with Sand
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- A solid way to improve stability and low-end performance
Tips & Tricks part 4
“Filling Speaker Stands with Sand”
Although compact sized speakers are often referred to as bookshelf speakers, this does not mean that placing them on an actual bookshelf will give you the best result.
9 out of 10 times, placing a compact speaker on a speaker stand will sound a lot better.
The problem with bookshelves, as well as sideboards, TV-boards and tables, are their surfaces. Surfaces can cause early reflections that color and distort the sound image, the same problem can occur when placing your speakers to close to corners and walls.
When you place your speakers on stands, the added distance towards surfaces, will reduce reflections to a minimum, which is especially important for the speakers’ low-end performance.
Furthermore, speaker stands ensure the proper height by directing the tweeters at ear level and since the heights are the most directional frequencies, this will give the most accurate response.
The performance of your speaker stands can be further improved by filling them with a suitable filler, like for example Atabites from Atacama or natural sand. The added weight will provide an even more solid platform for your speakers, consequently keeping vibrations to a minimum.
This is important, because, a loudspeaker should radiate its energy as precisely as possible, vibrations will cause the speaker to move with the music resulting in a loss of energy and that will affect the sound quality.
But, if the speaker stands firm, the energy can only go one way, namely to you.
Music by: bensound.com
Pics by: pexels.com
Nice. The demo at the end is very convincing.
I know it is kind of off topic but does anybody know of a good website to stream new series online?
@Lyle Maximiliano Lately I have been using Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
If using sand...use fine kiln dry silica sand 30-70 grain. Can get 50lbs for about $5.00. Initially I used play sand and regret it due to the moisture. Stuff a heavy duty garbage bag in there 1st. It adds extra protection against leaks and makes it a little less messy removing (you know...in case u use the wrong sand)
Thank you for sharing! Good advice on using a plastic bag. Some stands really do leak a bit and yeah, also if you want to resell and ship the stands, that can make life a lot easier. Sone supply stores even sell tube shaped bags.
Have a great day and best regards, Yuri
@@YuriBrus thank you. :)
@@backrack01 Anytime 😊
Garbage bag = brilliant, thank you!
@backrack01 Where did you purchase the kiln dry silica sand for $5.00? 50 pounds for $5.00 is a great deal. Thank you.
Got my Klipsch Nines on order with stands,Going to get some sand today in preparation. Thanks
That's awesome! The Klipsch Nines are a fantastic choice, and getting stands and sand for them is a great idea for optimizing their performance. You're in for an amazing audio experience. Enjoy your setup and the music it brings to life! 🎶🔊
Stick a piece of rockwool in the top tight against the plate so you have to compress the rockwool a bit
Great idea, didn't think of that before. Thanks
Yet another well made and informative video 👍🏻
I'm super happy you liked it 😊
nice B&W 685 s2 =D mine are S1, very nice speakers!
Im filling mine now!
wre is the cable?
Don't fill up sand up to the top, may affect sound adversely. 2/3 is enough.
With these Norstone stands I found that the more sand I put in the better the vibrations were damped, but I agree that 2/3 is usually enough, plus it's even safer since the stands are no longer top heavy.
2/3 makes for a lower center of gravity too, right?
Nice watch!!!! Soon going to the moon
i have the same norstone stands
they have a hole to pass the wires
the sand go out
Cool! Yes, they do. I couldn't put my cables through because I had them fitted with bananas. Did you fill them up with sand as well?
@@LucioPFantini Through the same hole where the cables come out?
Doesn't that fine sand (0.1-0.3mm) run out again down below between the tube and the lower base plate?
What grit should you use?
I would have from 0.3-1mm or 0.5-2mm?
Nice!
Thanks!
5:07 min I hear no difference if filled or not filled. I should turn my sound on.
😆☺️😆
😄
I went to a pool shop and bought 25 kg pool filter sand -clean and dry
Excellent tip, thanks for sharing 👍
I did that and all the sand came out the bottom.
What speaker stands are they? come with the anti-slip bumpers on the top?
Hi Diego, thanks for your question.
Those are Norstone Stylum 3 Stands. The little bumpers were not included, they are 3M anti shock puffers.
Best regards, Yuri
does this work the same for wood stands. I am considering filling mine now.
Sure, if your stands are provided with a compartment, dedicated for this purpose, it is definitely recommended.
I have the same stands but the sand would go out the bottom plate as there is a hole in it! Have you taped the hole?
Would you recommend Cat litter or some other material?
Yes I put a round sticker on the hole to seal it up. I always use the same sand, that I also use in this video, but my co-worker uses the cheapest sort of cat litter, that also works great, especially if you have stands that have tiny gaps. If you have access to Atacama's atabites, that would be the premium solution.
What stands are those? Thanks.
@@laika25Norstone 23.6" Stylum 2 Premium Metal Speaker Stand
Did you fill the rear tube also? The smaller one has little holes to do so.
No, just the one in the front.
@@YuriBrus is it sound good?
@Erik Bálint The difference is not huge, but you will definitely notice an improvement.
Why have I heard some say to only fill the stands up 3/4 of the way with sand and not all the way up?
Hi Dan, 1/2 or 3/4 helps preventing the stand from tipping over. Best regards, Yuri
He is correct to keep the sand from coming out. You should just like he did in the video tap on the stand before filling it to get a point of reference of the ringing, but you want to tap from either bottom to the top or top to bottom all the way up or all the way down. If you fill the stand half way you should tap on the stand from either top to bottom or bottom to top to see if the resonances or ringing is gone and don’t do this in just one spot because at the sand level and below the resonances will be gone, but above to the top of he stand the resonances can remain, which will only resolve part of your problem and defeat your purpose.
If the resonances are gone, you are done, but if they are not, you will keep filling them up to three quarters and repeat the tap test and as stated if the resonances are done, you are done. If not you will continue to add sand until all of the resonances are gone being careful to not overfill and then you will screw the top back on and place your stands in position and set your speakers on top of them.
If you noticed in the video his top plates had the rubber stoppers or grommets to further isolate the speakers from the stands and top plate, which is ideal. The other way is to put a product called Blu Tac on the stands top plate and it will also isolate the speakers from the top plate as well, which I use and Blu Tac gets rave reviews.
@@sidvicious3129 thanks for the clear explanation and I totally agree.
How much to fill for 3ft stands? And, is cement a good option to fill?
Hello Sagar
There is no rule of thumb on how much filler one should use, best is to start with filling the stands about half to 2 thirds and then fine-tune to your liking.
As for your question about cement; I recently made some concrete foundations in my garden and in my opinion the structure of the cement would be to fine to use in a speaker stand, besides that it will most likely harden up in time or even corrode the metal from the speaker stands. But that is just my opinion, maybe you have more experience with cement and know exactly what mixture to use.
Have a great day and best regards, Yuri
Hi there great video. May I ask what type of sans you recommend.
Thank you very much for the complement,. Atabites from Atacama are excellent but personally I just use natural dry sand, like for example Quartz Sand.
HiFi Reference thank you very much for the fast response and advice. Keep up the great work on the videos
He listed the type above.
how many kg for stand?
Depends on the stands and how far up you want to fill them, but I estimate about 15-20kg per stand.
Why can I get the sands, what is the difference between sands and metal bead
Hi Ron Chu, I use regular 'quartz sand' it's very cheap and most DIY stores, like for example 'Home Depot' sell it. The metal beads cost a lot more, but have the advantage that they, unlike sand, will not leak through narrow gaps. Alternatively, you can also use 'cat litter'.
Best regards, Yuri
@@YuriBrus atacama is 3 times denser than quartz sand
@@DJURBANBG Hello and thanks for your input. That is correct, Atabites are definitely a premium option.
@@YuriBrus yes , i just ordered two :)
@@DJURBANBG Excellent. Would love to hear your feedback when you're done.
hi, is it worth filling the small pipe with sand too? Gabor
Hi, thanks for your question. I currently don't own these exact stands any longer, so I'm not sure if the smaller tube can be filled up, but if it can, then yes, it's definitely worth a try.
@@YuriBrus
Hi, thanks for the reply. I played, it got better.
@@Tototto3 😎
What stands are those? Thanks.
NorStone Stylum II 👍
@@YuriBrus Thanks
@@laika25 Anytime 👍
how many kg one inside ?
Depends on the stands and how far up you want to fill them, but I reckon with an average of 15-20kg per stand.
@@YuriBrus omg ! I purchased. NorStone Stylum 2
@@gyoung7802 Good choice, excellent stand. Think you could start with maybe 10 kg, if you only fill up the larger main tube. You could also try cat litter, that is less likely to leak through at the bottom.
Which sand do you use?
In this video I used 1mm quartz sand, which is actually a bit too fine for this particular brand of stands. In retrospect, something like Atacama Atabites is definitely the better option.
@@YuriBrus Solid Tech recommend 0,25 mm sand for their rack, supposed to be the best for performance : "All our racks corner pillars are made with hallow aluminum in order for the user to fill these with sand. The sand will make the sound less clinical and more interesting. The bass will become more full-bodied and warm and you will achieve the desired live feeling.
The sand should be around 0,25mm in diameter, dry and loosely packed for best performance as sand with this diameter will vibrate in such a way that the lower level vibrations will be transformed into heat.""
@@jean-martingauthier5551 Thank you for your helpful information
Wouldn’t this prevent being able to run the cable through? Also, what if I only fill up the back post?
Hi Brad, thanks for your question. If you still like to run your wires through the stands, I would recommend using a plastic tube bag, I believe they are called poly tubing.
Check out Ultimate Support monitor stands. They have two channels - one for sand and another for cables.
I ordered the atabites. I could've used sand but what the hell. Probably only gonna be a one time purchase. Bowers and wilkins stands with 705's.
Cool, definitely the premium solution that the 705's deserve. Was one bucket of atabites enough or did you had to use two?
@@YuriBrus I haven't received them yet. Should be here by Feb 14th. They're coming from the UK! I'll keep you posted. I hope I only need one tub of atabites.
@@gregmartinez5836 which site do you ordered them ?
@@DJURBANBG I don't remember but I definitely wouldn't buy again. I would have needed like about six buckets to fill up my stands. That would be crazy expensive!
Table salt is more dense than sand.