Sound Anchor Blue Dots or BluTack??

Rbrowne: since your experience was with Sound Anchor Stands and all three (blue dots, blu tack and Herbies) and you liked the Herbies, what was their effect compared to the blue dots?

I replaced the spikes on my sound anchors recently with the excellent Soler Points (member esoler). When I did, it felt like the Bass went missing in action but soon I realized only "resonances" were missing, the bass was still there but more articulate. These points "dissipate" stored energy very fast.

Was that the effect of the Herbies? if you could describe specifically why you liked them better?

I do plan on experimenting and have Herbies on order but my next set of speakers are 47 lbs each and I would rather leave them in place once set up, that's why I am trying to get a measure of what to expect.

All in all excellent feedback and suggestions, Thanks!!!

IMO, there is little difference aurally between speakers placed directly on sand-filled, steel stands, and speakers adhered to the same stands with Blu Tack.

Therefore, if it saves you a step, compare the speakers with and without the Herbie's Big Fat Dots. If you like the sound with the Herbie's better, then it's probably a safe bet you will prefer the Herbie's over Blu Tack.

Blu Tack is not really intended to create a sonic difference, IMO. It's purpose is to "lock" the speakers to the stands (you're only supposed to use a pea sized piece of Blu Tack at each corner...or in three places if that's what the stands allow).

In my experience, Blue-Tack definitely affected the sonics and dynamics. Blue-tack was one of the worst I tried to my ear.

HERBIES

Bokfudo: My personal experience (from memory);

Blue Dots: Distortion in the upper mid-range and lower treble.

Blu-Tak: Better than the Blue Dots but made the mid-range leaner and seemed to roll off the high end.

Herbies Big Fat Dots: The most balanced and satisfying presentation compared to the others. The Fat Dots I used were the original formulation which has changed. I would assume the newer Fat Dots are an improvement of some sort but I haven't had an opportunity to compare them to the originals. I'd say give them a try. You can always return them if you don't like them.

Good luck in your quest.