• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Will adding Marble tops improve speaker performance?

hjames

hjames

We are all just walking each other home.
Staff member
Super Mod
Subscriber
Not related to a specific brand - tho I have had JBLs in the past that I put sheets of glass on top of for protection.
And I know JBL made some speakers with marble slabs on top (C56 Dorian).

This time, I am investigating prices and such to put thick stone slabs (marble or granite or something similar)
on top of some speakers I am trying to improve the low end with.
Overall size would be 24 x 18 x 1 inch, or whatever thickness is available at the stone cutter shops in the area.

I know some speakers (and stands) have places to fill with lead shot to do something similar -
the Sound Anchor stands on my Vandersteen 2CIs were full of lead shot!
Has anyone else followed this path, or do you have any specific feedback on actually doing such a thing?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Interesting idea.

Perhaps it would help with cabinet resonance? Make them more acoustically inert? Make them rock solid. :biggrin:

Seriously it sounds like a cool experiment to undertake.
 
Last edited:
The thing is, Heather, you would need to put something absorbent in between, like the sponge shelving liner to prevent vibrations. Are they spiked or can you use outriggers? That helps a bunch with bass also.
Click to expand...
Outriggers and spikes on the tops of speakers? What good would that do?
 
Trial and error is the typical method involved.

If one wants to look on the technical side, information about spring mass physics, resonance, mechanical vibration transfer, energy coupling and decoupling is a good place to start.
 
No, on top of the speakers. I was talking spikes/outriggers below.
Click to expand...
Okay then, that's better. That was not clear in the earlier post. Certainly spikes and outriggers can be beneficial in many cases.
We're good now. :)
 
I don't know how applicable this is. I placed an 18" x 18" x 2" concrete paving stone on top of an Acoustat SPW-1 (spiked to floor) and the bass definitely improved.
 
I'm thinking of a slab of marble on the top of the cabinet - with something like sheet rubber (inner tube strips? duct tape?)
on the bottom of the marble to better isolate it from the cabinet.

I know the Westlake speaker folks use a proprietary tarry material to paint the insides of their Monitor cabinets,
and my UREI 908As have an (hardened) outer coating much like pickup truck bed liners ... they are deadened,
but I'm thinking upping the Mass would be a good thing.


JoeESP9 said:
I don't know how applicable this is. I placed an 18" x 18" x 2" concrete paving stone on top of an Acoustat SPW-1 (spiked to floor) and the bass definitely improved.
Click to expand...

Ah - perfect response, JoeESP9! Direct Feedback!
I'm just thinking I'd get a better Spousal Acceptance Factor with a tan or brown toned marble instead of concrete or bricks on top.

FWIW, we have older hardwood floors from the 50s - so I'm hesitant to put spikes under the cabinets!
 
Blue Shadow said:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/isolate-those-advents.815007/
Talks about concert slabs on the floor, isolated between them and the speakers on top of that being a big help. I guess with what Joe is saying and others that starting at the bottom and building up a good secure, solid structure that includes the speakers would provide the best improvement.
Click to expand...
Interesting - I have hard rubber wheels (casters) on the cabinet - so maybe just a rubber isolated slab on top would do!
Don't want to glue them to the speakers, just rest them on top.
Ok - so one of my projects now is to find some marble cast off pieces to try this with.!
 
That’s an idea....

Spike the bottom, spray the inside with rock gard and top it off with a section of inner tube and a slab of black marble. I would just wonder, with the increased bass extension would there be a trade off in the loss of clarity and definition of the higher tones? Like the chines, piano and horned instruments.....

Probably great for playing Metallica.....

Would a sub be a better alternative ????

Or a pair of Cerwin Vega’s.....
 
Last edited:
My Hsu Research sub is spiked to the floor and placing a 18x14x1.5 granite slab on top provided a noticeable improvement.
 
hjames said:
I'm thinking of a slab of marble on the top of the cabinet - with something like sheet rubber (inner tube strips? duct tape?)
on the bottom of the marble to better isolate it from the cabinet.

I know the Westlake speaker folks use a proprietary tarry material to paint the insides of their Monitor cabinets,
and my UREI 908As have an (hardened) outer coating much like pickup truck bed liners ... they are deadened,
but I'm thinking upping the Mass would be a good thing.




Ah - perfect response, JoeESP9! Direct Feedback!
I'm just thinking I'd get a better Spousal Acceptance Factor with a tan or brown toned marble instead of concrete or bricks on top.

FWIW, we have older hardwood floors from the 50s - so I'm hesitant to put spikes under the cabinets!
Click to expand...

All of my speakers are spiked. I also have those little saucers under all the spikes. I don't know if the spikes and saucers are that effective. It's too much trouble to remove them. However, the concrete slab on the SPW-1 made a definite improvement even though it was already spiked to the floor. Yes, the slab was not aesthetically pleasing even to me.

FWIW: I saw some Black Granite slabs I like even more than Marble.

BTW: Marble rings.
 
Well, the Heath "Valencias" are that darned iconic Pecan faux Moroccan finish - a dark brown finish,
in a room full of MCM and scandinavian type furniture,
so I was thinking a lighter beige/tan stone on top would brighten them visually.

If it wasn't such a pain I'd strip them and redo the cabinets in lighter colors ... but!

Djcoolray said:
That’s an idea....

Spike the bottom, spray the inside with rock guard and top it off with a section of inner tube and a slab of black marble. I would just wonder, with the increased bass extension would there be a trade off in the loss of clarity and definition of the higher tones? Like the chines, piano and horned instruments.....
Would a sub be a better alternative ????
Click to expand...

Actually, by increasing the polyfill in the cabinet,
I have pushed the bass response down 20 or 30Hz already - and from the sound of Gary Burton Quartet and Ralph Towner/Oregon I was listening to last weekend,
(Or Joni Mitchell: Blue & For the Roses), the HF is not suffering

And please - BOC Or Crimson before Metallica!




Heath-Fostex-sm_6066.jpg
 
Last edited:
I do this with my main speakers. To me it helps, but I am sure it is subjective. I have the speakers on really good stands, so the granite slab is just added mass.
 
Heather, using marble or granite on top might work nicely.

I'd suggest skipping inner tube rubber and use a toolbox "grip/grab liner" type material. I bought some awhile back to line the drawers of my roll around tool boxes, but it works great for other things. Cuts easily and is super grippy, you'd swear it has adhesive on it but it doesn't , and it peels back up cleanly without leaving residue. Stuff placed on it will not budge if you try to push it sideways. It's a soft rubbery consistency and is available in several thicknesses.
 
Ohighway said:
Heather, using marble or granite on top might work nicely.

I'd suggest skipping inner tube rubber and use a toolbox "grip/grab liner" type material. I bought some awhile back to line the drawers of my roll around tool boxes, but it works great for other things. Cuts easily and is super grippy, you'd swear it has adhesive on it but it doesn't , and it peels back up cleanly without leaving residue. Stuff placed on it will not budge if you try to push it sideways. It's a soft rubbery consistency and is available in several thicknesses.
Click to expand...

I don't like any of those rubber solutions for being mashed under that slab - I suppose depends on the finish on the veneer also. Maybe a soft wood or thin plastic cutting board.
Not sure what to use, but I've had all sorts of rubber stick to or stain, wood that they were on.

At any rate, check CL, I found some slabs cheap, and fit the bill for me (only under rather than on top) - you could maybe get lucky with a good size as well for cheap.
 

Attachments

  • Marantz Stack JP 01.jpg
    Marantz Stack JP 01.jpg
    59.6 KB · Views: 50
Dingman said:
I don't like any of those rubber solutions for being mashed under that slab - I suppose depends on the finish on the veneer also. Maybe a soft wood or thin plastic cutting board.
Not sure what to use, but I've had all sorts of rubber stick to or stain, wood that they were on.

At any rate, check CL, I found some slabs cheap, and fit the bill for me (only under rather than on top) - you could maybe get lucky with a good size as well for cheap.
Click to expand...

You beat me to it.

Heather, be careful what rubber you use,I have seen many things get stained by long term rubber exposure.
 
:rflmao:If you'll notice kids, I said skip the rubber. The liner is a rubbery consistency..... not rubber. I think it's foam or some type of vinyl material.

The problem with wood or plastic cutting boards is that any sideways motion will allow the granite to slide sideways....... Probably vibrate too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom