Spikes and wood floors

August 30, 2006

I just purchased a pair of Paradigm Esprit speakers and I have a question about them. They came complete with floor spikes, and I’m not sure whether I should use them. I’ve got hardwood floors and I’m not crazy about scratching them up. Would I notice a difference in sound if I did not install them?

Cal

Spikes can do at least three things: First, they anchor a speaker to the surface below them so that the speaker doesn’t move during playback. This can tighten bass response and add more clarity to the whole frequency range. Second, spikes raise a speaker up to what is likely the manufacturer’s recommended listening height; being on the correct listening axis can make a huge difference in the overall sound you hear. Third, most spikes allow you to level the speaker. Although it may not help you achieve the rock-solid anchoring outlined in the first point above, putting quarters under the spikes will protect your floors and accomplish at least the second and third points I mentioned. So to sum up, I would use the spikes, even if the spikes are placed on coins to keep them from scratching your floors.

Studio monitors at home?

August 25, 2006

I just heard M-Audio brand studio monitors. The sound was very clear, crisp, and totally different from the sound of hi-fi speakers I am used to. What is the difference between studio monitors and hi-fi speakers? Why are studio monitors not used for home use? Any issue if I buy them for home use?

Simon

Generally speaking, studio monitors are designed for nearfield listening (placed very close to the listener) and are typically placed on a mixing console. This means they are sized like a bookshelf speaker and are designed to be listened to from as little as 4-6’ away. Since studio monitors are used to evaluate music by engineers and producers, the best of them are accurate, honest speakers. Good clarity and excellent dynamics are hallmarks of a good studio monitor. There is no issue with using them for home use, although you may get the best performance from them if you listen fairly close up -- this is how they would be used in a studio setting and is therefore a critical design element. If you like how they sound, go for it.

New speaker cables

August 23, 2006

I just purchased a pair of Axiom M50s to go with my Marantz SR-4200 receiver for two-channel listening. I'm now looking to replace my Monster speaker cables with something good but inexpensive -- say under $100. Any suggestions?

Mike

Hmm, with your new M50s speakers a natural pairing would be the Axiom 12AWG copper speaker cables. They cost $55 for a 6’ pair and surely would match your speakers perfectly since they come from the same manufacturer. And the price is right. I don’t know of a less-expensive cable on the market that I would trust to sound good.