Sand... or something else?

Posted by: Mike Hanson on 16 May 2001

I've got a pair of Royd Squires to use with my home theatre setup. I was unpacking them this morning, and the instructions indicated that I should fill them with 3Kg of sand, or some material of similar volume. The old forum had a bunch of messages suggesting sand, ball bearings, marbles, fish tank gravel, and various other substances.

I would think that marbles or ball bearings would resonate at a common frequency, due to their consistent material and particle size. Sand has a varying particle size, and possibly varying material (depending on the composition of the sand), so it may be better in that respect. However, it may not dissipate energy as well as other stuff.

Are there any opinions out there on the best stuff to use? Thanks for any feedback that you can provide.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Pete, Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know

Hi,

I have heard that lead shot and sand work well, you can get shot from gun shops or from downtown areas late at night

pete

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Andrew Randle

How about Lego? If it doesn't work then it can always be played with afterwards

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Mike Hanson

Oh yeah... that was the other thing they mentioned on the old forum. The instructions indicate that I should use something of the same volume. I assume that means that the mass isn't as important as the volume. In the case of lead shot, it's going to be much heavier than the sand. I suppose this could be good or bad.

Regarding volume, I wonder if I'm supposed to fill the compartments, or perhaps only half-fill them. I suppose the only way to know for sure is to experiment. Does anyone have any experience with small "pillar" speakers like these? Should I load them up as heavy as possible, or is "too much" an issue?

If I decide to go with something round like lead shot, ball bearing, marbles, etc., then there are myriad gaps around the particules. Should I fill it with balls, then fill the spaces with fine sand?

Finally, I wonder if I'll have a problem finding a gun store with lead shot. Here in Canada we don't have a gun store on every corner (like in the U.S.A.), so it may be a bit of a hunt. I'll have to consult the yellow pages.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Chris L

I haven't got floor standing 'speakers, but I have filled my 'speaker stands. Personally, I used lead shot mixed with sand, and a small amount of kitty litter (the highly absorbent kind).

The reasoning being: I want the mass of the lead, I want the (fairly course) sand to fill the spaces between the lead shot, and the kitty litter to make sure that the inside of the stands stays nice and dry.

Chris L

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Mike Hanson

I'm starting to think it's going to be a mixture of stuff. I would think it would help from a resonance perspective as well.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Andrew Randle

quote:
and the kitty litter to make sure that the inside of the stands stays nice and dry.

Chris, why not put the sand and shot mix into condoms?

Seriously though! I think that was a tip from Ken Kessler.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Robbie

Mike,

Get birdcagesand.It's very dense and clean."Normal"sand is not suitable because of the difference in size of the grains.Fill the speakers up to the maximum, put the sticker on and screw the plint tight to the speaker.

Greetings,Rob.

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Pete, Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know

Hi,

Play pit sand is the one to use it is washed graded and dryed, get it from Toys "R" us etc.

pete

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Chris L

quote:
_____________________________________________
Chris, why not put the sand and shot mix into
condoms?
_____________________________________________

Hmm, wish I'd thought of that before But seriously, it was just from the point of view that the temperature can vary so much in these parts, some measure against condensation seemed in order.

quote:
_____________________________________________
Seriously though! I think that was a tip from
Ken Kessler.
_____________________________________________

Oh dear god! Please don't get me started on KK. I'm surprised he didn't suggest painting each grain with green pen, or leaving the sand in the freezer over night!!!

Chris

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Mike Cole

Mike,

I had a pair of Ruark Templars quite a while back and filled them with sand and lead shot. The lead shot was obtained from a sporting goods store. It was contained in the weighted bags that divers wear around their waist to counter their natural buoyancy . Adding more to the inside of the speaker changes the sound from quick and light to slow and heavy. There is a happy medium inbetween.

Mike

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Mike Hanson

It sounds like I'm going to have to experiment, if nothing else at least the amount, and probably also the type of material.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by P

I like Bentonite. It's swell stuff.

A most interesting and absorbing material.

Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Milan

You can get proprietary stuff, similar to lead shot. Target sell it as 'Heavy Metal' and Atacama have something similar. Your local dealer amy have some but beware the price! If you are going to add sand mix them first as otherwise the sand may not work through.

I have just filled the base of my Tannoys about half way with the target stuff. Will listen later and see!

Milan