Isoacoustics Gaia Speaker Footers

Anyone new users with Gaia footer experience? I am thinking of upgrading the stock spikes on my loudspeakers with these. Any ProAc users with Gaia?

I just finished reading this thread and found it quite interesting, however, I have a few questions.

1. I have the Focal Sopra 2’s speakers on their way to me at this time. And I also ordered the ISO GAIA 1’s.
First, I would like to experiment with proper room placement for the speakers. Any preference as to removing the spikes from the Sopra’s as they come out of the box or should I wait until I am ready to install the GAIA’s?

2. Now, for a heavy speaker like the Focal Sopra 2’s should I install the Gaia 1’s while the speakers are standing upright or with the speakers laying on there sides?

3. Also, if my floor is concrete but it is carpeted with no padding, do I really need the extra cups/spikes?

ozzy

Thank You @lancelock !

@milpai , I have the Tekton Double Impact SE. I didn’t do a particularly good comparison since the speakers were still new and breaking in when I installed them. I also installed Soundcity outriggers for stability. I would say though most noticeable was a tightening of the bass frequency.

@lancelock ,For which loudspeakers did you purchase the GAIAs? Can you please provide your feedback on the improvements you hear with these footers?

If Matt sees this he'll have the right answer IRT weight etc... he's done all the testing of footers and isn't done yet.  

here's what you risk, if you get the gaia 3 and like them, further down the road if you want to upgrade speakers you'll end up having to buy a new set of gaia's, whereas if you get the gaia 2 you open up your speaker choices without the extra expense later own.

The GAIA III will work but I believe the GAIA II will work better. I had the same situation and paid a little more for the bigger footer. I’m happy with them.

Hello.
I want to buy GAIA isolators for my speakers but I don't understand what model do I need, GAIA III or GAIA II. I have B&W 702 S2 speakers. The weight of each speaker is 30 kg (65 lb).
The problem is that the weight of my speakers is rather close to the limit of GAIA III model. What model of GAIA will be better for me?
Thank you in advance.

Yes, that's what I was saying.

@prof the Townshend podiums don’t actually materially raise your speakers as they are designed to be used without the existing spikes you have on your speakers already. The net difference is therefore very small. Accepted the individual pods are larger and so may give rise to a bigger difference

I like the idea of the Townsend bars because they deliberately minimize raising the height of the speaker - which will in of itself change the sound for a listener and may even account for much of the change people percieve in using devices like the Gaia.

Whenever I've raised my speakers at all I've never preferred the results, including trying the isoacoustics iso-pucks.

Yes the Townshend seismic bars do look like a worthy contender to the Gaia’s 1,but my Lawrence double bass speakers are ported near the bottom on each side,so wasn’t a option for me.I wanted a certain distance from the platforms and needed full adjustability especially on the single front footer.

Kenny.

I'm wondering whether anyone in here has compared the Townshend products to the gaias? If you need the gaia 1s, the Townshend seismic bars seem like a relevant competitor... 

Awesome.  let us know how it goes.

Thanks.  I have the answer it's 8mm and they come stock with the GAIA.  I ordered a pair of GAIA II for my Kef Blade 2

Guys if you need to know what size thread or what weights, why not ask your dealer?  That's why they do.  Not being difficult, but if I were to purchase something like this, I'd ask the person I purchase from.  JMHO...

I have GAIA Is for my MA PL500 speakers. I called IsoacousticIs directly and asked them what I needed for my speakers. They are very nice and will explain exactly what you need for your particular speakers.

Does anyone know what size is needed for the Kef Blade 2? Thread size I mean

ejilif,
I would recommend the 2’s for that weight.
I use the 2’s on my Silverline Bolero Supremes and the 1’s on my Lawrence audio double bass speakers that weigh 135lbs.

If you are going to spend that much money on speakers,you might as well pony up the same coin and not skimp.IMO.

Best of luck to you,
Kenny.

I want to get these for my Kef Blade 2.  They are 78 lbs  is it close enough to use the III version that goes to 70 lbs or do I need to jump up to the II version that goes to 120? 

Guys, you can't put a % on anything in audio as it's so subjective.  Every system is so different with a product like this, because your vibration situation is totally different if that makes sense.  If you can afford the Gia or the HRS Nimbus, you probably are going to upgrade your system.  He liked the HRS Nimbus over the Gia, but I think they cost more.  You are the only one who can say if the extra is worth it.  

Often times I see folks purchasing these 'upgrades' as they tune their systems. On occasion, if they took that extra money and made a component upgrade that they could have afforded, they would have been much better off.  

I have what I (and many others) feel is a highly resolving system that I feel is true high end.  It's not the most expensive, but most of my components are the sweet spot in the manufacture's lines that I have put together.  I have been blessed to get the top Audioquest WEL balanced interconnect and I have some other top cables, some footers and a top power cord.  

To me cables and footers are still the lowest thing on the totem pole.  The way I think, they should never be used as 'tone' controls as so many try to use them as (if the sound is altered, then your not happy with what you have and you can't make it sound better wiht band aids (JMHO).

If your system is at the point that you love what you hear and you won't be upgrading components anytime soon, then cords, connects and footers are a perfect way to get the most out of your gear.  NO doubt at all.  I know Richard Vandersteen's new amps at 15k a pair for mono's (on my short list as a next amp along with a couple of others) have the HRS footers built in.  I know a lot of designers who LOVE after market footers and use them themselves.  If you aren't going to go out and get a few adn listen for yourself, you are probably best getting an HRS Nimbus if you can afford them, but the Gia's are probably a great value in most systems.

Hope this didn't come off as mean or anything. I'm in the hospital for rehab for a couple of weeks due to surgery last week.  Hard for me to focus much (this post has taken me a while to type), but I think I got my thought out.  

if your speakers require gaia II will getting gaia I’s improve upon the sound or is it overkill?

I wish the dealer would not chime in.  Everything is great.    What % is the sound better.    If you can answer that.  It would be nice.   I have VSM-BM 
  concerns are with bass
Also ?
  I kind of want 2 sets.   
  Thank you 

My buddy Matt is in the end stretch of a footer shootout in his system.  He's had most of the top names in.  He's got the Shun Mook in right now.    https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd 

Go to the last few pages and you will see that it's a DAC thread, but he's in the middle of the rack/footer/platform shootout.  It's an incredible thread that may interest you if you haven't seen it yet, but you will like the footer part of the thread.  

I concur with David,
You really need the ones with those speakers,it will make a difference and you will get the best from the product.

Yes I know they are expensive but the sound increases you will achieve are priceless in my opinion and some folks continue to upgrade their systems with cables and components,when they just simply Ignore speaker isolation.

Best of luck to you,
Kenny.

I highly recommend going with the GAIA I. You are at the limit of the IIs and I found that being at the limit of the IIs wasn't good. You will also get better stability with the larger diameter Is.

I hope i do not have to open a new thread for this ;
I have Focal Sopra No.2 speakers , should i get GAIA II or GAIA I ?

Speakers are 55kgs each. GAIA II supports up to 54kgs. 

I am demoing a set of GAIA IIs under my PSB Synchrony One towers (Krell KAV 250 preamp, Bryston 9bSST amp). I did a back and forth with the stock rubber feet and the GAIAs. I do hear an improved difference in the music. It sounds bigger, not as muddled on the low end. I don't know what "sound stage" is. I can say the sound feels like it fills the room better, and is much more dynamic. I will end up ordering a set of IIIs (the right size for my speakers) when I can. 

HRS make the best isolation gear I've ever heard. I haven't heard this Companies gear but was told the it's kind of close to HRS for much less.  I would think your couplers are awesome.

mac48025, keep us posted. I simply love GAIA I’s under my 800D2’s. 

I am currently using HRS Nimbus couplers and very happy with them but keep thinking to try Iso-Pucks 😉

Maplegrovmusic, I ordered 4 Iso-pucks to try under my cd transport. I can only hope they bring about anything close to what the Gaia I's did. I'll find out Friday.  

Geez you guys are even tempting me to give the pucks a shot.  Perhaps Santa is delivering a VISA card or two this year!🎅

mac48025   Do try the pucks . I actually experienced the same benefits of the footers using the pucks . The same degree of shocking improvement .

I must start out by stating that I'm usually quite skeptical when reading how products such as these Isoacoustic isolators deliver such amazing results. So it was with little expectation that I purchased two sets of Gaia I speakers footers, figuring I'd return them if I wasn't happy. Suffice it to say they aren't leaving my room! I was quite shocked at how much they cleaned up the sound of what I thought was a very clean sounding system. The quieter background allows more details to emerge, more texture, more shimmer and air and a cleaner, tighter bass. If I didn't already have my components on Mapleshade brass footers and 4" thick maple platforms I'd be ordering the isopucks.....I still might order a set to try. 

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences with these products and I apologize for doubting just how much they can improve the sound of a system. 

Thanks for the heads up on the sale bdp24 . I bought 4 more pairs of the isopucks just now from Musicians Friend. Two are on back order (annoying) as they stated "in stock" . Hope it is not a long wait for them.

Thanks guys.  I'm also looking at another platform that seems to be incredible.  

I just got my ten Isopucks  two days ago . Just incredible !  Improvements are as others have experienced . I placed three under my macmini , two under my hard drive , Three under my digital amp , and two under my dac/pre . The imaging is clearer . Bass is improved especially at lower volumes . These things are a must use !  Now need to get a few more for my oppo 105 . Question , Do these improve video quality ? I have my video projector on a table .

Yep ctsooner, Musician's Friend (Guitar Center's online store) has them in stock. Everyone is selling the 2-pack for $59.99 (ten bucks off list). MF has a sale going on right now, 17% off your order---no minimum, with free shipping. That puts the IsoAcoustic Puck at $50/pr. Each can support 20lbs., so three is enough for many pieces. Buy three 2-packs for $150, enough for two components weighing up to 60lbs. apiece. Not a bad deal, assuming they work!

I assume that the pucks are the ones you use for components.  Are they ready for purchase in the US yet?  Looking at a few options right now.  

Good idea. I may get both the Gaias and Pucks. Thanks!

If you are in the U.S., Crutchfield has a 30 day return policy . You could test them out .

Hifiman5
Thanjs for the response and link. However the Herbie products are represented as isolation devices. It is my understanding that the Gaias are designed to be the sole isolation for the speaker, advertised for use with tower speakers. I was hoping to reap the benefit of them using monitors on stands. It seems to me that as close to a coupling between speaker and stand as possible would be prerequisite to using the Gaias. For instance, I once had a pair of Dynaudio C1 speakers with their Stand 4 stands that bolted to the speaker, essentially making the speaker and stand one unit.
After reading reviews of the Gaia 3’s I would like to try them if they would work. The alternative may be the Iso Pucks, using spikes for the bottom of stands.
Thanks again hifiman5

@valinar   IMHO you should have your speakers settled onto the stands.  By checking out the link below, you'll see a variety of reasonably priced products that could do that for you.
http://herbiesaudiolab.net/spkrfeet.htm

My concern is that the speakers are sitting on the stands without a secure coupling of the speaker to the stand. Will this limit the resonances from the speaker being transferred through the stand to the Gaia, thereby limiting their effect?

If the stands have threaded inserts for spikes then I would say yes they will work .

Would the Gaia 3 work with monitor speakers on stands? Or would the Iso-Pucks give the same benefits of the Gaia’s?

These are incredible . Best 600 clams ever spent on audio . A isoacoustics rep at RMAF 2017 was saying new devices for components are coming . Anybody know when ? Or has anybody used the pucks on dacs , preamps , ect...

This is my first day (and night) listening to my system and speakers via the Isoacoustics Gaia IIIs. My speakers are extremely modest compared to the rest of my system since  I've always been a "great speakers can't fix what's messed up in a previous component or interface" kinda person.

The Gaias took over from Herbie's screw-in glider feet (which are otherwise excellent, btw) on a very well constructed wooden floor.

I've been going through all my reference cuts (and yes, many are more sound-quality oriented than performance-quality oriented--I don't have the energy to list them here), especially those with challenging bass, spatial or other system challenges.

My results mirror those of the various magazine reviews you can find of the Gaias (e.g., Stereophile, Audiostream, HiFi+ and Audiopig), tighter, more extended bass, a larger and more clearly delineated sound stage, lowered noise floor, improved instrumental texture and better articulated edges (attack) of percussive instruments. I would venture to say that the Isoacoustic Gaia III's sonic impact is more along the lines of a component change rather than what might be characterized merely as a "tweak" and, believe me, this particular audiophool is fond of his tweaks!