Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners measure twice, cut once!

So I built my speaker stands last night...

The top and bottom wood pieces are 1.5" in width each. For some reason I had in my head they were 6" total height added to the stand (both sets equal 6"). So I go ahead (may I mention with my wife, who was stoked to help out build my DIY gear, including my flexi rack) and cut the PVC pipe and the all threaded rod. I cut the PVC pipe for 15" (15" + 6" is 21", perfect height). I then cut the all theaded rod to 20.25", I start to put it together and realize that I am 3" out!!!!!

So now, intead of my speakers being 40" tall, they are 37" tall, the tweeter is around the 35" mark. I am kind of an obsess freak over little stuff like this, but is it worth it to buy another PVC pipe and all threaded rod and cut it correctly? Will I notice a huge difference in those 3" of height?

My other option was to get spikes for the bottoms of the stands. After some research, they cost too much, which is why I went with a DIY project in the beginning...I have no pictures but my style of stand is like the picture below...

Man, that sounds like what happens when I do a project... I would say don't worry about it, but if it's going to drive you batty, redo it.

I thought I had seen spikes for a pretty low price somewhere; perhaps someone on the boards will remember the link.

ya, I think I have decided just to pick up some more PVC Pipe...this time around I will do the job correctly...sheesh.

I think I will notice a difference in sound stage...but it won't be major, thats for sure.

I was in total disbelief all night last night...grumbling to myself as I was setting up the media room.

I think the saying should be measure twice, think about it for awhile, measure again, think some more, measure one last time, cut, d'oh!

I ran in to the same problem with some molding in my basement HT. I even cut it three times and it was STILL too short.

Try adding another piece of wood to the bottom plate, cut to extend about a 1/2" beyond the existing base in all directions. It will give you more height, a heavier base, and an interesting architectural detail. I'll sketch up something and show you what I mean next time we cross paths (I just love to draw ).

you could make another plate for on the bottom and a little wider. Just cut 2 " strips 45 degree angle and screw them on the bottom so they protrude 1" or so wider on the front and sides. Then cut a square piece a little wider than the base again and router a nice edge on it. It would give you 1.5" more hieght a little more stable and look nice.

BTW.. they look nice I made a set a few years back with MDF and painted it black and put the high gloss coating to them. I may end up making them again for my son

Could always put Spikes on the bottom to raise it up an couple inches ?

Robb, a few inches won't make a significant difference, so don't worry about it. For what it's worth, that's about what I arrived at for the height of my M22s after I got them five years ago. A specially designed variable height speaker stand was employed(stacks of old Stereo Review magazines; they sounded better than Time or Newsweek)and that's what was arrived at. My impression was that being slightly above the tweeter axis was a bit better than slightly below.

Well, if JohnK says its ok, then I guess its ok!

Thanks John, i wasn't really sure if those 3 extra inches would make a difference I could notice. If I decide to get a riser in the future, I'll probably raise them up 5 or so inches so the back row has a decent sound. For now I will leave them.

I got all my stuff downstairs up and running!! I had a corner setup upstairs before moving it downstairs...now its on the short wall, it sounds very crisp, moreso than upstairs, I am so used to the sound upstairs that now that it is downstairs I feel that it doesn't sound right. I borrowed an SPL meter to check my YPAO settings, and they were all pretty much bang on, including distances, with exception of the sub which was 5db to low.

Just to confirm, set the volume for "0" on the receiver and then calibrate to 75db right?

Can't wait to mount that M3 above the screen...hopefully I will have pics of my temporary sheet screen and speakers after this weekend. I actually had my 27" TV setup right beside the sub last night, after calibrating I tested the master and commander battle scene, every time the sub went off my 27" went weird with lines on the screen...the EP500 is so powerfull it needs to be moved as far from CRT screens as possible

actually, now that you mention it, the EP500, the RX-V659, AND the CRT TV were all plugged into the same 15A outlet.

I am convinced now that that was the reason for the lines on the screen, the EP500 was just taking power from the line every time it was firing.

Now that I have the rest of my basement set up like I want it, I have the EP500 on a dedicated 15A, the reciever on another 15A, and the projector on yet another separate 15A.

Everything is working like it should

-Hutz