Comments on Profile Post by Inoculator

  1. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    My local shop Gig Harbor Audio actually makes the Graham Chartwell official stands (at least in the US, as used in the Stereophile review), but they want $900 for a pair, and I needed them to be custom 34" tall to get to ear height. Hoping cost of materials plus soom beer for my buddy comes in well under $900, haha.
    Jan 13, 2021
  2. rlow
    rlow
    Funny because I contacted Graham just recently about stands to fit the LS6 and they recommended I contact Gig Harbour. Once I saw the prices however, I was like no frickin way. I prefer an open frame wood stand anyhow, not metal. Not into the rod iron look. Was actually looking around for 24” wooden stools that might fit it if I took the top off of it.
    Jan 13, 2021
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  3. rlow
    rlow
    Jan 13, 2021
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  4. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    @rlow yeah the prices they charge are robbery. If you buy the stands with the speakersthey "only" charge $300-400. They are incredibly nice though, and after hearing the thinwall BBC stuff on those stands I am a believer. I thought about making some out of wood similar to the Broadcast ones that Westlake Audio sells. Figured I could actually just get some turning blanks in the right length and piece it together.
    Jan 13, 2021
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  5. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    @rlow Ultimately when the chance to have a welded stands came up I went for it though. Just hit me up if you want to get in on my deal with my buddy and have some made for the LS6 as well! He is working on design now, but then would be easy to tweak to different dimensions.
    Jan 13, 2021
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  6. rlow
    rlow
    A very nice offer, thanks! However I am in Nova Scotia Canada, so the shipping might be more than the stands! Plus, like I mentioned, not really sure I’m into the welded metal look, but once you get them (or he has them built) send some pics along for sure!
    Jan 13, 2021
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  7. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    @rlow Sounds good. I am hoping the project comes out well and I can keep the design around for future speakers as something he can tweak. This probably won't be my last pair of Graham/Harbeth speakers so could come in handy. Last thing I am trying to figure out is what sort of spikes/isolation I want to do, lots of options out there it seems.
    Jan 13, 2021
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  8. rlow
    rlow
    So did you hear the actual Gig Harbour stands with the Graham’s at their location? What do you think was the main improvements?
    Jan 13, 2021
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  9. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    I did! As far as BBC designs I have heard the LS3/5, LS3/5A, LS6, and LS5/9 there, all on those stands. It is hard to do a direct comparison as my little listening office is basically worse possible conditions for listening, right now I have them wall mounted too close to the wall, and I have only been to GHA twice this year due to COVID. Thoughts in next comment though.
    Jan 13, 2021
  10. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    I would say things sound less sharp and way more natural on those stands. Even when I had these on some sand-filled pillar stands things were overdamped sounding. My main issue right now is a sense that a lot of sounds are getting chopped off too fast. Open frame stands just let them have a very natural musical resonance so the whole cabinet can freely vibrate, and takes them to a very spooky realistic sound.
    Jan 13, 2021
    rlow likes this.
  11. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    Granted different rooms/chains (usually at GHA they are hooked up to Line Magnetic integrated or top end Naim setup). At least with the LS3/5A and comparing my listening there and at home, it seems they sound a bit technical/aggressive with kind of tinny bass too close to the wall and over isolated, and instead very musical and natural on proper stands. Will see if that holds up once I have a pair though
    Jan 13, 2021
    rlow likes this.
  12. rlow
    rlow
    What did you think of the 5/9 vs the others? Some report they are more rolled off on both ends (esp the highs) and not extended enough compared to the LS6.
    Jan 13, 2021
  13. Inoculator
    Inoculator
    I am going to have to give another listen, was a short visit that day and all I remember was being completely gobsmacked at how good it sounded. They were rocking a $20k Linn LP12 build that day for the source so I kind of just had my jaw on the floor drooling at that. I do remember them sounding pretty effortless for a bigger monitor in a relatively small space, so that might suggest a bit of that rolloff.
    Jan 13, 2021
    rlow likes this.