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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Several days ago someone discussed their experiences comparing nonferrous Skylan versus ferrous Sound Anchor speaker stands. That individual preferred the Sound Anchors for the superior resolution.I figured I'd relate my experiences since most information on the subject is anecdotal -- a comment here or there. Note: I'm not affiliated with Skylan, Tyler Acoustics or any other manufacturer. I'm just a work-a-day audiophile. Also, resolution isn't high on my priority list. I don't listen for it. I'll take tonality and smoothness any day over resolution.
First experience: about 2 years ago I owned Dynaudio Audience 52SE speakers. I bought their Stand4 to complement them. The Stand4 is about as good a steel stand as you'll find other than not being welded together. The top and bottom plates use sorbothane sandwiches to combat ringing, the plates and tubes are very thick steel, etc. I 100% sand filled them.
I replaced them with Skylans (1/2 filled with sand) because I'd heard the anecdotal evidence against steel stands. I figured, worth a try. Immediately the presentation was much more relaxed and natural with the Skylans. More music, less hi fi. The Stand4 seemed to impart a subtle "energetic" presence, a hi fi nervousness. It also stands out as grain or slight harshness or "wiry quality" on string tones.
Another experience: I recently demo'd Spendor S3e at home. I picked up a set of Atlantis Reference stands (closeout pricing) to complement, knowing I could return them if necessary. Welded construction, heavy gauge. 100% sand filled. Same thing -- slight ringing, wiry, nervous quality I've learned to recognize. The S3e and Atlantis went away. Not my cup of tea.
Final experience: I finally found a pair of Spendor SP2/3e, which have always been high on my most wanted list. They came with a pair of custom built stands (thick steel top plate, thick square mdf posts, plywood bases). Nicely made and finished but I had my doubts. So I ordered a pair of Tyler Acoustics speaker stands immediately. These are 100% mdf. Same thing as before: the custom stands had this nervous, wiry, irritating sound. And just the top plate was steel. The Tyler Stands (1/2 filled with sand) are much, much better: more relaxed, better tonality, etc. Just more musical.
I will never own another pair of steel speaker stands. Skylan, Reference 3a or Tyler Acoustics (or custom built) are the only things I'll own. Why we've gravitated to IMO inferior sounding steel speaker stands (which, having owned tons of standmount speakers, I confess are very important) is beyond me. Cheap is the only thing I can think of, honestly. Their downside greatly outweighs their upside in my opinion.
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Topic - My steel vs. nonferrous speaker stands experiences - greg7 06:55:23 03/29/08 (13)
- And yet ... - andyr 03:06:00 03/30/08 (9)
- Huh? Who's general agreement? - greg7 07:12:14 03/30/08 (8)
- Me for one - Charles Hansen 10:00:51 03/30/08 (7)
- Not in this case - greg7 10:25:29 03/30/08 (6)
- RE: Not in this case - mightymouse 11:10:57 03/30/08 (3)
- Steel cost a LOT more than wood and plastics - mightymouse 12:08:05 03/30/08 (1)
- Yes and no - greg7 12:18:46 03/30/08 (0)
- RE: Not in this case - greg7 11:20:48 03/30/08 (0)
- I think we're all saying the same thing - Charles Hansen 11:06:59 03/30/08 (1)
- Spot on, Charles!! :-)) nt - andyr 16:41:22 03/30/08 (0)
- Question - unclestu52 14:00:51 03/29/08 (1)
- RE: Question - mightymouse 14:34:32 03/29/08 (0)
- RE: My steel vs. nonferrous speaker stands experiences - mightymouse 10:56:38 03/29/08 (0)
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