StillPoint Ultra 5's

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 10:04 AM

What's under your speakers?

Well I have read many trying this and that underneath their speakers including myself over the years, I have tried so many different technics and some that made positive differences are listed below.

Items like Sistrum platforms from Star Sound Tech, I used SP1's under numerous speaker designs with great results. I still use their SP 101's for amp stands under my Vac's with great success. Symposium Svelte PLUS platform is another interesting product, I even played with different combinations with rollers and Sistrum points underneath them.

They all made a difference which was preferred over using the standard spikes.

A couple of years ago now trading emails with a good friend Cyrus mentioned this new StillPoint called Ultra 5's, saying what do you think. Be warned for the initial sticker cost will be a shocker but I now knowing what I know can say they were worth every penny and then some - I highly recommended!

My speakers are on carpet + underpad with a suspended wood floor underneath, my friend is in a condo and has a concrete substrate - We have the same speakers and Vac electronics, they work.

Well all I can say is this was one of my better investments, from top to bottom improvement including the sound stage, you will be saying WOW! why didn't I do this sooner -

I have been reading so many now who have tried and posting positive results.

I just read from a owner of Wilson Alexandra X2.2 who has finally tried and now knows what he has been missing and highly recommending.

When you purchase them you just provide the model of speaker to get the matching threaded adapter to secure, goes where your spikes would

Individuals are making use of them everywhere, even some manufactures like Steve D of Xact Audio with his table called Kodo The Beat uses them as standard feet.

Artisan Fidelity, Christopher uses Stillpoints under his numerous table designs, Ultra 5's being the ultimate upgrade recommendation.

Please post any of your experiences along with pics

Blow are some pic's showing placed under my MBL 101E's and AF Achates Idler Drive table

**Mike** · January 17, 2014, 10:08 AM

Thanks for sharing. What did you place them under? Speakers, TT, anything else? Preamp? Amps? Digital sources?

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks for sharing. What did you place them under? Speakers, TT, anything else? Preamp? Amps? Digital sources?

Hi Mike, your welcome.

If you could plse place this as title for manufactures would be great for a easy reference point for Stillpoint discussions.

All of those items you have listed, personally so far only under my speakers and table but others are reporting positive results under those other items you have mentioned.

I know of two owners with Alexia's and are very happy they installed these, responded saying they only wished they had done sooner

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 10:32 AM

dev, thanks for sharing. I think I read the same article you did, too.

How much is a set of StillPoint Ultra 5s?

thx

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by socfan12

dev, thanks for sharing. I think I read the same article you did, too.

How much is a set of StillPoint Ultra 5s?

thx

Hi Allen, your welcome.

Sorry I'm not up to speed on current cost, I'm going on two years now having mine under my speakers. Every person whom I have recommended and gotten has only provided positive results back wishing they had only done it sooner

**Mike** · January 17, 2014, 11:04 AM

I heard Stillpoints under Alexia's at a dealer and it was the best I ever heard them. Hmmm....

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 11:07 AM

Thanks, dev. Yes, I hear they do wonders under speakers.

Mike, my Alexia dealer is also a StillPoints dealer, I may try them. $700/piece. Maybe they'll let me try some to demo first...

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 11:12 AM

TAS Review of some StillPoints offerings.

An excerpt:

"When I heard the Ultra SS under the loudspeakers, I thought I’d heard everything Stillpoints technology had to offer. In fact, I wrote that the Ultra SS was the most effective accessory I’d every tried. Little did I know that the Ultra SS was just the beginning. Fully loading a system with Stillpoints technology—the ESS racks, Ultra SS under the power amplifiers, and, especially, Ultra 5s under the loudspeakers—transformed my system far beyond anything I could have imagined. Whatever the music the change was always the same—hearing more music, more realistically presented, and with vastly deeper involvement. There’s simply no going back."

**Mike** · January 17, 2014, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by socfan12

Thanks, dev. Yes, I hear they do wonders under speakers.

Mike, my Alexia dealer is also a StillPoints dealer, I may try them. $700/piece. Maybe they'll let me try some to demo first...

Yowser! I sure hope so.

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 11:18 AM

Haha, I know. And you need 8 of these guys. Ugh.

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by socfan12

Haha, I know. And you need 8 of these guys. Ugh.

ya that's the cost of emission I mentioned but you will quickly realize it's well worth it

- forget about any other upgrades, this should be #1 priority and essential to truly finally hear what your speakers have to offer.

**Dpod4** · January 17, 2014, 11:40 AM

I have the Ultra 5s under my Innovation Wood TT. Made a noticeable positive difference. Have Stillpoint Ultras screwed into bottom of my Magico S5s. Wish I had the ultra 5s there. Waiting to buy them used or at a discount.

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 11:41 AM

dev, what was the change you heard when you started using them?

I need to get acoustic treatments for my room first, but am definitely interested in these as I've heard nothing but great feedback on them. Do you think it will have a pronounced effect even over carpeted concrete?

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

I have the Ultra 5s under my Innovation Wood TT. Made a noticeable positive difference. Have Stillpoint Ultras screwed into bottom of my Magico S5s. Wish I had the ultra 5s there. Waiting to buy them used or at a discount.

that's great! Well you have already got a taste I'm sure you will be all

once you place the Ultra 5's under your speakers. I know of someone whom was in the same position and his thinking was ya I know I'll benefit but by how much? Told me how shocked he was with the difference and now kicks himself for not doing it sooner, said in our emails back and forth constantly asking

persuaded him.

I feel speaker manufactures should be offering these with their speakers

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2014, 12:15 PM

Bruce Jacobs is coming to DR and we are going to do some demos to my clients and friends
Keep all of you posted of the event

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 12:23 PM

Allen, it's been a while now "going on two years" so I had to look at my notes

So here's what I wrote at the time;

-top to bottom frequency have changed for the better, absolutely head scratching
-higher frequency in general have become clearer and smoother, I'm hearing things clearer now that weren't previously heard and just thought it was the recording but now Know that wasn't the fact now that they are gone, it's impressive
-the dynamics overall are way more impressive along with transients
-bass is are way more defined and going deeper, I can even feel it - more articulate - can hear into the bass notes along with instruments like different brush strokes and rim wracks clearer and easier to identify -
-listening is just more engaging, more realistic
-stage has grown but at the same time is even more 3-D, focussed and defined -how is this possible

This was one of those times the experience caught me of guard

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 12:44 PM

That's amazing, dev. I can't believe 8 feet under a pair of speakers could do that! Better cables, cleaner power source, better gear, yes, but feet?!

Having said that, I would love to try them!

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by socfan12

That's amazing, dev. I can't believe 8 feet under a pair of speakers could do that! Better cables, cleaner power source, better gear, yes, but feet?!

Having said that, I would love to try them!

Allen I went into this originally blind folded with no feedback from others, essentially being the ginny pig.

After my findings I shared with numerous others I know privately, what's ironic now is that time has gone by and numerous others who now have gotten them are writing similar results as mentioned in my foot notes at the time.

There's another forum where Christian just posted his initial impression with Wilson Alexander X-2.2 speakers, goes by Rockitman finally after a year of harping finally gave in - I was chuckling

**Dpod4** · January 17, 2014, 01:29 PM

On TT I noticed a reduced noise floor. A more still (less grunge) presentation. Like a shaky camera that stills and comes into focus.

I also noticed this on ported speakers when I put them on symposium shelves. Even more dramatic.

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 01:46 PM

Haha, it's great being home sick and surfing the Shark all day.

dev, yes, I saw Christian's post last night in fact. He has some great gear and a great room!

Darrin, thinking of investing more into StillPoints? Looks like you have gotten some very positive results...

**the professor** · January 17, 2014, 03:14 PM

I have used them under speakers with really good results. They don't work under my current Raidhos tho since they have their own weird decoupling mechanism in them. But, for anything that is spiked they do make a positive difference and on some it's night and day.

A set of 8 does set you back a little - $5,600ish - ok an bunch. But well worth it in the scheme of things.

**MDP** · January 17, 2014, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by socfan12

Haha, it's great being home sick and surfing the Shark all day.

dev, yes, I saw Christian's post last night in fact. He has some great gear and a great room!

Darrin, thinking of investing more into StillPoints? Looks like you have gotten some very positive results...

Allen, David is a Stillpoint dealer also

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Allen, David is a Stillpoint dealer also

Who is David? because I saw my name quoted above and I'm not a dealer of any audio product, personal pleasure only.

**highEndguy** · January 17, 2014, 03:45 PM

[ QUOTE=dev;54063]Who is David? because I saw my name quoted above and I'm not a dealer of any audio product, personal pleasure only.[/QUOTE]

Sorry Dev, my mistake

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by highEndguy

[ QUOTE=dev;54063]Who is David? because I saw my name quoted above and I'm not a dealer of any audio product, personal pleasure only.

Sorry Dev, my mistake[/QUOTE]

No problem but confused because the response above was made by MDP Mark

**the professor** · January 17, 2014, 04:08 PM

He was talking about David Baskin at Design Audio Video 903-571-7189

posts under DAV

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

He was talking about David Baskin at Design Audio Video 903-571-7189

posts under DAV

Got it thx

**annapolis Raider** · January 17, 2014, 04:17 PM

Any comparisons out there between Stillpoints and any of the competitive products? I was thinking the Wave Kinetics devices look interesting also?

**the professor** · January 17, 2014, 04:27 PM

I have some Wave Kinetics A10U8. Under a preamp or cd player to me it's a personal preference type of thing which you would prefer. I never felt like the Wave Kinetics was sturdy enough to put under speakers. I really liked them under the external crossover of the Wilson Duettes but i liked the still points between the stand and speaker better.

**Mike** · January 17, 2014, 04:31 PM

We could create an entire thread just on Audio Voodoo!

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 04:37 PM

Not a bad idea! Bob (Absolare) uses a variety at his studio (ASI pieces, etc).

**socfan12** · January 17, 2014, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Allen, David is a Stillpoint dealer also

Thanks, Mark, good to know!

**the professor** · January 17, 2014, 04:48 PM

Just think how much voodoo goes on inside an amplifier.

As they change locations of the parts on the circuit boards because it sounds better. Same exact schematic just placement. Or speaker crossovers as they use a multitude of capacitors instead of just one to create the same value.

My head hurts just thinking of all the decisions.

Originally Posted by Mike

We could create an entire thread just on Audio Voodoo!

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 04:51 PM

I have tried the products on various equipment and would say it's definitely a personal preference. My room is a little overly damped so I was not a big fan. It seems to really tighten everything up. So if you have a very lively, busy sounding room then I feel the Stillpoints would be amazing. My room is a little dead sounding so it's not a good match to my ears. But I can certainly see the benefits in most rooms. I have several customers waiting to try them out. I have compared to a couple other brands that I'm a dealer for and the Stillpoints have been the best to my ears and room.

**annapolis Raider** · January 17, 2014, 04:54 PM

thx professor

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by DAV

It seems to really tighten everything up. So if you have a very lively, busy sounding room then I feel the Stillpoints would be amazing. My room is a little dead sounding so it's not a good match to my ears. But I can certainly see the benefits in most rooms. I have several customers waiting to try them out. I have compared to a couple other brands that I'm a dealer for and the Stillpoints have been the best to my ears and room.

Hi DAV,

Odd because my room doesn't fit into any of the categories you make mention of "overly damped - dead sounding, busy sounding or very lively"

Curious why do you flavor a over damped dead sounding room? Seems to lean more to a Home Theatre room than two channel

Any pics you can provide of your room along with which speakers have you tried these underneath

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 07:45 PM

My listening room is a theater room. 50% of the walls are treated with fabric. Before I got heavy in the two ch thing I mainly did high end theaters and automation. Both my rooms are treated so I'm trying to figure out what I need to do. That's why I mentioned my room as being flawed. I have only used Stillpoints on my cd, preamp, amps and rack. What kind of room do you have? I'm just saying that in my room I do not like what any decoupling device does to the sound . I have only tried a few brands but all had similar results in my room. I'll post a picture of a corner of my room . Don't have a full shot of it.

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 07:48 PM

This will give you an idea of the treatment. Open for suggestions.

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 07:57 PM

Also, maybe I should have said any room but a heavily damped room. Even then you may like it. I'm just stating my opinion and do not mean to confuse anyone or try and persuade someone in any way. Just like any other component these need to be demoed in your listening room. I think I think I may have popped in on a thread without reading all posts. Sorry!

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 08:12 PM

Dev,
I'm sorry I now realize how my post may have sounded. I am a dealer and I know they are amazing products. Bruce said they are very popular with Wilson and Focal. My room is just difficult for 2ch and I did not get great results with my gear and maybe it's my gear, not sure. Again I apologize , and glad to hear such positive results from everyone.

**dev** · January 17, 2014, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by DAV

Dev,
I'm sorry I now realize how my post may have sounded. I am a dealer and I know they are amazing products. Bruce said they are very popular with Wilson and Focal. My room is just difficult for 2ch and I did not get great results with my gear and maybe it's my gear, not sure. Again I apologize , and glad to hear such positive results from everyone.

Hi DAV,

no problem and thx for clarification, opinions are just that. What works for one person isn't a guarantee to be so for the next which is okay.

How ironic when you know I don't know you or have seen your room but just from reading your comments figured it out quickly, home theatre set-up. Ya that's a pita, my opinion is the those two rooms sound qualities should totally sound different and if you have either of the two others sound wise mentioned those need to be sort out also.

Adding these StillPoints aren't going to correct a bad room, bad room usually means bad results no matter what you do as you have mentioned you just don't know.

I like being in a room that when talking human voices sound normal and natural, no clap echo, not over damped pretty well sums it up.

I have no financial ties so doesn't effect me.

My speakers are as per my opening info MBL 101E's which are a totally different design say from the other two you mentioned.

**Design Audio Video** · January 17, 2014, 09:38 PM

Yep, I wish I had a way to tell if it's my room or not. It's not completely dead sounding it's just quiet. I had a guy from Dynaudio in yesterday and he felt it was just slightly over damped. I'm going to put some diffusers at the first reflection point and see what that does to the sound.

**Dpod4** · January 17, 2014, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by socfan12

Haha, it's great being home sick and surfing the Shark all day.

dev, yes, I saw Christian's post last night in fact. He has some great gear and a great room!

Darrin, thinking of investing more into StillPoints? Looks like you have gotten some very positive results...

I would love to pick up 3 more ultra 5s with bases

**KLH007** · January 18, 2014, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

I have the Ultra 5s under my Innovation Wood TT. Made a noticeable positive difference. Have Stillpoint Ultras screwed into bottom of my Magico S5s. Wish I had the ultra 5s there. Waiting to buy them used or at a discount.

You might consider Nordost's Sort Futs, I'm having significant sonic improvements using them, only $3K for 8. Heard them A-B demoed at RMAF, big change between Sort Futs & stock spikes.

**rockitman** · January 18, 2014, 02:40 AM

Hi David,

I must be that Wilson guy with utra 5's you mention. Cheers !

**joeinid** · January 18, 2014, 04:07 AM

Welcome to the forum Christian!

Thank you so much for joining!

**rockitman** · January 18, 2014, 04:38 AM

Thanks for the welcome Joe. I need to get my system info together and introduce myself. I see some familiar names.

**dev** · January 18, 2014, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by rockitman

Hi David,

I must be that Wilson guy with utra 5's you mention. Cheers !

Hi Christian, welcome and yes you are

please do share your thoughts

I like your avatar

P.S. Ya best way is to sign in and say hi

**highEndguy** · January 18, 2014, 08:43 AM

BIENVENIDO Christian

**socfan12** · January 18, 2014, 10:02 AM

Christian, welcome to AS!

I am a lurker on the other forum and have read about your system there. Your use and experience with Pass electronics with Wilson speakers has got me very intrigued in the combination (I am expecting a pair of Alexias myself towards the end of the month). Hope to hear more about it here on AudioShark! Thank you for joining!

Thread: StillPoint Ultra 5's