Well, who’da thunk it…

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2FarGone

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I just installed a set of Dayton black chrome speaker spikes (DSS4-BD) under my new JBL HDI 3800 speakers, and the benefit was greater than I expected it to be.

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The feet on the JBLs are rubber to begin with and the top of the spikes are flat, so when tightly installed it seems to produce an effect somewhat like an isolation footer. Bass is tighter, and oddly, there seems to be better detailing and a better sense of space. I suspect that part of that effect is due to the horn being about 1-1/2” higher, so it’s almost perfect ear height now, and the bottom woofer is the same distance further from the floor, which may explain the bass being tightened. Whatever the reason, at under $150 for both speakers I’ll take it, cheapskate that I am.
 
The 3800's are a really good value. If you are using the SET to drive them you should experiment with a solid state high current amp one day, you will be amazed.

A friend had a Hegel 590 we were comparing the 3800 to a top model monitor Audio Gold, IMO the 3800 came closer to what we heard at Powell Symphony Hall playing Classical music compared to the MA. I'm also a fan of the MA Gold but in this comparison I thought the 3800 came closer to real life experience.
 
Mr Peabody said:
The 3800's are a really good value. If you are using the SET to drive them you should experiment with a solid state high current amp one day, you will be amazed.

A friend had a Hegel 590 we were comparing the 3800 to a top model monitor Audio Gold, IMO the 3800 came closer to what we heard at Powell Symphony Hall playing Classical music compared to the MA. I'm also a fan of the MA Gold but in this comparison I thought the 3800 came closer to real life experience.
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Actually, I already have. When I first got them, I had them on the Rowland model 10 which is a conservative 150 wpch. The configuration of this room pretty much mandates near field listening, though, so I never come close to the limits of the SET. In this room, I actually prefer the tubes. At my cabin (which has far greater air space to fill) I don’t doubt you’d be right, but my spouse has been most supportive of my audio habit and prefers the JBLs here, so who am I to argue? 😉

So my cabin will allow me to use the power capability of the Rowland a lot more effectively. I’ve already moved the Odeons, SVS subs and the Rowland there but haven’t yet connected them, since my son is now there for a couple of weeks. When I go back at the end of July, I’ll connect everything. If I don’t think it optimal, I can bring the Rowland back and use the SET on the Odeons again, which I already know works very well. It’s always nice to have options. :D
 
bfreidah said:
Is that engineered hardwood floors glued to concrete or true hardwood floors? If the latter; isolating would beneficial, otherwise it's the additional height that did the trick. Always fun to experiment.
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That’s hardwood. After a day with it, I’m thinking that the rubber feet on the JBLs were allowing very slight movement of the cabinets in response to the linear motion of the woofer motors that’s now been eliminated. Slight movement yes, but there’s an improved sense of precision that could be the result of more of the motors’ energy being transmitted to the cone rather than being absorbed by that slight movement of the cabinets.

Fantasy? Maybe, but there’s definitely an improvement here that exceeds what I thought I could reasonably expect. It would be nice to be able to get my mind around exactly what’s going on.
 
bfreidah said:
Is that engineered hardwood floors glued to concrete or true hardwood floors? If the latter; isolating would beneficial, otherwise it's the additional height that did the trick. Always fun to experiment.
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I have carpet over concrete and adding the Auva 70's made a huge improvement. Vibration is real, effects sound and although more products to address it are becoming available I think they are just beginning to scratch the surface.

I went years without addressing vibration. Pretty much a skeptic. My friend showed me some Herbies Tender Feet and we listened with and without them. With them was an improvement. I ordered myself some. They worked under my streamer and preamp. Stackaudio has a return policy so I gave them a try when I learned about them. Needless to say once on my speakers they stayed.

When the product offers a return if not happy then nothing lost in trying. Unless, you are afraid of what you might find, LOL
 
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