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Acoustical Treatments Because the room matters

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Old 12-25-2017, 08:10 PM
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Default IsoAcoustics GAIA

I've made several changes during 2017. I've changed DACs, interconnect cables, speaker cables, and experimented with power cords. I couple of days ago I replaced the spikes on my Monitor Audio PL500 speakers with IsoAcoustics GAIA Is. I want to put my latest change in context. In my system the most significant change has been adding the Chord Dave DAC. Changing the interconnect and speaker cables provided incremental improvements in clarity and a noticeable difference in how instruments/vocals are placed in the soundstage.
The GAIA Is are very well made and a bargain compared to the price of some footers. I used the following CDs to evaluate the GAIA Is: Kirk Whalum-For You, Norman Conners-Eternity, Marcus Johnson-In Concert For a Cause, Erykah Badu-Live, and Bob James/David Sanborn- Double Vision. Overall my first impression has been added clarity that allows you hear more details deeper in the soundstage. When listening to Kirk Whalum's Going in Circles the percussions to the right of the stage appear deeper and more pronounced with the GAIAs. Erykah Badu's Ye Yo the backup singers sound clearer with slightly more separation and Badu 's voice is more dynamic. Marcus Johnson's Me, Myself & I the piano takes on a liveliness that I've never heard before. It's weird, the music has additional clarity/detail, but at the same time sounds more relaxed. The best way to sum up my thoughts are the GAIAs brings serious "FOCUS" to the music and the illusion of music being totally disconnected from the speakers.
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Old 12-25-2017, 10:42 PM
rnrmf1971 rnrmf1971 is offline
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Additional detail + more relaxed sounds like the perfect combo.
I'm waiting for the proper adapters to try out the same footers.

Were they difficult to install on the PL500's?
Did you need a special adapter or did the right size come in the box?
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Old 12-25-2017, 11:09 PM
The Trace The Trace is offline
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Default Ricjor1

Very well put. Dave Morrison, the company owner, helped me out a lot explaining how the GAIA work. I screwed them into my speakers base, no problem. Speakers rest on carpet. Instantly noticeable improvement, tighter bass and soundstage. Happy with them.
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Old 12-26-2017, 12:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 View Post
Additional detail + more relaxed sounds like the perfect combo.
I'm waiting for the proper adapters to try out the same footers.

Were they difficult to install on the PL500's?
Did you need a special adapter or did the right size come in the box?

They were very easy to install. I had to special order eight M10 125 long alternative studs for the PL500's.
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Old 10-20-2019, 12:29 PM
MGW MGW is offline
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HI, new member here.
Hoping that you guys are still picking up on this thread as I have a question.
I have standmount speakers and IsoAcoustics describes these as being for floorstanders - I cannot for the life of me work out why the Gaia would not work just as well for standmounts as for floorstanders.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks in anticipation
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Old 10-20-2019, 12:42 PM
rnrmf1971 rnrmf1971 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW View Post
HI, new member here.
Hoping that you guys are still picking up on this thread as I have a question.
I have standmount speakers and IsoAcoustics describes these as being for floorstanders - I cannot for the life of me work out why the Gaia would not work just as well for standmounts as for floorstanders.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks in anticipation
They should work fine as long as they fall in the weight requirements for the footers you're looking at. See the IsoAcoustics website page on Gaia footers for the recommended weight range.

Alternately, consider IsoAcousics Orea footers (using the proper model for weight of the speakers) and just placing your speakers on them.

I actually do that with my Harbeth speakers to positive effect.
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south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest Dragon PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Audioquest interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor

north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech cables
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  #7  
Old 10-20-2019, 07:21 PM
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MGW... Welcome to AA!
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Old 10-21-2019, 05:36 PM
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Thanks guys!
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:09 PM
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Quote:
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Thanks guys!
Welcome, Mike!
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 View Post
They should work fine as long as they fall in the weight requirements for the footers you're looking at. See the IsoAcoustics website page on Gaia footers for the recommended weight range.

Alternately, consider IsoAcousics Orea footers (using the proper model for weight of the speakers) and just placing your speakers on them.

I actually do that with my Harbeth speakers to positive effect.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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