[frank111]

 My speakers are on stands approx a ft tall( with 4 legs), enclosure is 3 inches from rear wall. Is there any truth to placing a flat panel (such as wood) against the front legs from the bottom of the speaker enclosure to the floor will result in extending/enhancing/boosting the lower frequencies? I'm away from home visiting family so I cant test out that theory which comes from an 'audiophile inlaw'.

[Æ]

My speakers are on stands approx a ft tall( with 4 legs), enclosure is 3 inches from rear wall. Is there any truth to placing a flat panel (such as wood) against the front legs from the bottom of the speaker enclosure to the floor will result in extending/enhancing/boosting the lower frequencies? I'm away from home visiting family so I cant test out that theory which comes from an 'audiophile inlaw'.

Theoretically yes, but in your situation probably not much. You have to understand that low frequencies have very long wavelengths, so it would require a very large baffle.

A baffle supports lower frequencies up to a certain point depending on the size of the baffle. It is all very simple mathematically, 2pi, 4pi, radiation, half space, full space etc, etc. If you want to enhance your bass, you can move your loudspeakers back up against the wall. And if you try them in a corner you'll get even more bass. But a better way would be to incorporate Baffle Step Compensation, or use an equalizer to boost the bass.
http://www.trueaudio.com/st_diff1.htm

[rajacat]

I built these speaker stands flush to the speaker faces in an attempt to enhance the lower frequencies. Since I needed stands anyway, I decided to try the theory. I'm not really sure if it was that effective because I was in the process of making other changes to my rig at the same time. Some call this adding a "beard" to your speakers.

[JLM]

raja,

I've always liked the look of full pedestal stands (otherwise the speaker/stand looks top heavy).  Your's is particularly striking to me (black with black driver/port).   

Plus you can fill the stands with shot/sand/whatever to make them sound better and add stability.

AE,

I agree, the advantage of the "beards" is probably more theoretical than real.  I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

[rajacat]

Yes, there's ~100lbs of sand in each stand added to 45lbs per speaker makes moving them a #itch. 

[spinner]

 Nice job and yes mass loading really helps overall effect. My JBLs are on cement stands with 60 pounds of lead in each cabinet. 

[mrhyfy]

Here's a pair I made,,tried to avoid the top heavy look too

[spinner]

 Great look. What are legs made from..... :

[mrhyfy]

Thanks,,non resonant cellulose polymer  (MDF)!!

[Quiet Earth]

Frank,
I have noticed a difference between bearded and open stands with my speakers, but it is mostly an enhancement of the upper and middle bass, and not much of an extension of low bass. (Like AE said.) Still, I think that it is something worth trying.

Btw, 3" is plenty close enough to the back wall.

Raj, Mrhyfy,
Nice looking stands guys! 

[frank111]

 Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Being an audiophile for about 9 months now I continue to learn & evolve. I have to sneak this in, GO LSU !