[qwickdraw4]

Bought a new HT system a few months back and the JBL speakers came with floor spikes.

what is the exact purpose of the spikes? anything related to sound quality or strickly keeping the speakers form moving on a carpeted floor?

 

[jcebedo1]

Most of it is really to keep the speakers from moving (more stable). It also makes the bass a little tighter, more controlled. Use them since you already have them.


James

 

[kirknelson]

Any movement of the speaker cabinet absorbs energy from the drivers. Restricting and movement as much as possible will result in more efficient sound production. This is usually most audible as more and less muddy bass. The spikes act as cleats to secure the speaker to the floor.


Also, raising the speaker off of the floor will stop energy from being transmitted directly into the floor. Lowering the contact area between the speaker and the floor lowers the amount of energy being transmitted into the floor. Once again this allows more of that energy to be used for sound reproduction and usually results in tighter bass. Although many find that it greatly helps imaging, soundstageing and controling some resonances.