M*** sound bases for SBL

Martin,
I agree with Phil..... as I experienced similar results with I installed M*** soundbases [thanks Dominic] under my SBLs . Likewise I have a suspended floor
Initially I was sceptical about the claims made but I can only say ' give 'em a go '! you will not be disappointed

Ray

Today, I cut two pieces of of 3/4 inch heavy duty chipboard (the type used to loft floors etc) into two approx 12 inch squares. Then screwed a 2 inch crosshead screw near each corner, which then acted as spikes. I put these under my SBL's, and have been quite surprised to find that they sound pretty good. If anything, the bass is more extended than it was when they were directly on the floor, plus the sound has tidied up a little.
This was only a cheap and quick experiment at this stage (it's probably cost £1.50 in materials, which were left-overs anyway), but is certainly worth further investigation to see if I can knock-up something a little more attractive from mdf and paint black.
I have posted a couple of times specifically asking if anyone has had negative experience with Mana under their SBL's, but had no takers. Even so, I was still reluctant to commit myself. One of my fears was that in tightening up the sound, they would make them sound a little lean, which they are prone to, and now I find that that can be the case. I know others have home made speaker bases, so any suggestions re materials etc.

Cheers

Ade

several weeks ago and got no response. I too am considering the sound bases for the SBL's. Having owned one of their wallshelves, I think I have a pretty good idea about what they do (in general).

But my concern is that right now I have the sbl's siting on a concrete floor (I have four little holes cut into the "very dense" carpet and pad to allow the spikes to pass through. Given that the floor (concrete) is absolutely solid, I'm wondering if I will get anything at all from the soundbases. Hence my concern.

Does anybody use soundbases on concrete.

Judd
ps. I'm not absolutely sure I prefer them directly on the concrete versus having them up on MDF boards "floating" on the carpet. Concrete seems lighter, but also lighter. I'd like something in between, I think.

Justin,
I have a suspended wooden floor and although I've obviously no choice I have wondered how they would sound on a concrete floor. How do you find them? I have tried them on heavy concrete slabs, and although initially I stayed with it, I've removed them as in hindsight they seemed to sound a little sterile, even though there was probably a little better top-end. It does seem they sound better (to me) on wood rather than concrete. What material are they sat on on these Mana bases?
The trouble is I associate the term 'tightens up the bass' with 'makes them lean sounding' rightly or wrongly and I do like an extended but controlled bass response. At their worst, SBL's can sound like huge tranny radio speakers (albeit very high quality ones), but in the other hand they can sound lovely and full when ideally set up.

Cheers

Ade

If David is right, then I am even closer to getting sound bases than before. The reason is that I thought they sounded better on wood floors than on concrete anyway. When I had them upstairs, they were simply better.

Ade puts it perfectly. When not optimized (far to often in my system) they sound like big transister radio speakers. Thin and grey is the best way to describe them when they sound like this. On wood, they were much fuller bodied.

However, if the sounded bases intriduce a "suspended" floor under the speaker, I think I'm all for that. That sounds exaclty like what I want.

I also agree with Ade. To me "tighter" bass on an sbl just means leaner. To me, in all the ways I have tried them, I've never complained of "soggy" bass. But, I would like a little more fullness all around. It just may be that sound bases between sbl's and concrete will instroduce this fullness that I (and Ade, I think) would appreciate. (ironic, in that mana normally has the opposite effect--and for this reason, maybe not recommended on top of wood, which is already somewhat "springy").

As soon as I sell my TT, I think I'll be doing a set of the soundbases (and one of Naim's great cd players).

Judd

I used a soundstage under Linn Kelidhs and on concrete and it worked very well - every thing opened up. However I could determine no similar improvement when using soundstages under my SBL replacements. So don't now use them.

The SBL's are superb (IMHO) on their own when on concrete. (They are also far better than the Keilidhs on soundstages).

Peter

The purpose of soundbases are to make SBL sounds like on suspended wooden floor, rather than concrete floor. If it is used on suspended wooden floor, would it be like a phase 2? Just a thought!

As I have a suspended wooden floor and I am thinking about to get the soundbases.

cheers
Martin

I have used soundbases on concrete/carpet floor for several years. I think you will get excellent results. Everything is better and base is tighter and more extended. But, I do not think that mana is a tuning device.
Setting up sbl's on mana on thick carpet is a pain. Best to put speakers on bases where you want them and let the carpet settle (several days), then go thru the set up (which is still a pain).