Mass Loading!

[Johnny Vinyl]

I've been forever wanting to mass-load my speakers and have finally found a place whereby I can get the material (sand) to do so. I hear a lot of good things about the effects of mass-loading, but have never experienced the results myself. I've heard the bass really tightens up and that the soundstage and imaging even improves.

If I were to do this, should I expect those improvements?

 

[flez007]

Not sure, some questions:

Are your speakers designed to be sand-filled?
Do you have a floor standing speaker?

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Not sure, some questions:

Are your speakers designed to be sand-filled?
Do you have a floor standing speaker?

Yes..I have Totem Sttaf floorstanders and I beleive they can take about 20lbs of sand or so.

 

[JackD201]

Yes..I have Totem Sttaf floorstanders and I beleive they can take about 20lbs of sand or so.

Doesn't hurt to try. I wouldn't use sand though. I would recommend something like No.9 birdshot. Just don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

They made big differences with the VR-2 and VR-4jrs which were designed to be loaded with shot.

 

[flez007]

+1 on plumb rather than sand, it does work!

 

[microstrip]

Some people prefer sand, some people prefer lead and the hard core aficionados will mix them, claiming they mutually damp their resonances. The exact proportion of each and the caliber seems to be also critical.

I have owned some speaker stands that could be mass loaded. Curiously the amount of sand was very critical - if completely filled the bass frequencies would seem to loose slam.

 

[JackD201]

I have no problems with the effects of sand on sound but have issues about sand's propensity for moisture. moisture and wood, not good.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Where would someone find No.9 Birdshot? I don't think I've ever seen a gunshop in Canada, which is where I suppose you'd find that.

 

[JackD201]

Al Simmons Gun Shop
122 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4A8

1-877-454-0416

Worth a shot to call.

 

[mep]

Good one Jack! A guy from the PI telling someone from Canada where their local gun shop is! Priceless. Not to mention your pun...

 

[Mike]

moisture and wood, not good.

Oh, I don't know...

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Al Simmons Gun Shop
122 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4A8

1-877-454-0416

Worth a shot to call.

Thanks Jack! Kudos on the quip....funny!

 

[JackD201]