I have some great diy speakerstands made with mdf. which are very solid and stable. The columns are 5"x6" (sand filled) and the bases are 11/4" thick.

I've been thinking of some solid maple racks and stands lately. The stands would have 21/4" thick bases with 5"x6" columns.

Similarly, the racks would have 21/4" shelves supported by three 21/2"x 31/2" solid maple legs.

What do you think in terms of sonics?

Why upgrade it if it works just fine? (sung to the tune of "Why fix it if it ain't broke?")

Rob

I'm just looking ahead. The proposed pieces would, if they are sonically sound, also be aesthetically matched. They wouldn't feature any high tech isolation concepts, but I think I can execute a good solid design.

Making 'em out of cement blocks covered with MacTac would probably be sonically superior. Maple would certainly look nice. Why not build 'em and find out?

Rob

Check out the Mapleshade stands--
http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/tweaks/speakerstands.html
TY

Hmmm, cement blocks. I guess I could tile them with slabs of marble or limestone.

Tonto, great link. It looks like Mapleshade is a believer in the sonic virtues of maple.

sk,
you might find the Russ Andrews' site interesting as well
http://www.russandrews.com/equipment.html

He uses Torlyte wood products (download "Firm Foundations" for more info) not maple, but you might be able to adapt his thoughts. Personally, I like the look of his stands/racks.

I believe Michael Fremer extolled the sonic merits of maple, so did Ayre electronics and Finite element pagode racks.

Guys,

Those Mapleshade stands look pretty nice but have you ever considered that maybe if you need speaker stands at all it is because your speakers are just too small? ;)

Rob

I think that stands really are dependent on the speakers. If you want a null speaker and want to transfer all vibration from the cabinet, or if your speaker is made from a high quality ply and varnished and the cabinet vibrations are an intrigal part of the overall tone of the speaker, you face different problems.
Besides the need to get the mid/tweeter up to ear level the choice of types of stands must be made on the speaker type, its construction and the materials and most of all the job it has.

Originally posted by Thatch_Ear
I think that stands really are dependent on the speakers. If you want a null speaker and want to transfer all vibration from the cabinet, or if your speaker is made from a high quality ply and varnished and the cabinet vibrations are an intrigal part of the overall tone of the speaker, you face different problems.
Besides the need to get the mid/tweeter up to ear level the choice of types of stands must be made on the speaker type, its construction and the materials and most of all the job it has.

Interesting. Both of my speakers are constructed of plywood (Galante, LS3/5a). At this point, I've decided to go with Maple. Its impossible for me to figure out ahead of time which will complement my speakers best, but I'm sure there will be an audible difference between solid Maple and sand filled MDF.

Rob,
My next speakers will definitely not need stands.

I hope to 'pour' a pair of rear horns in cement as part of my present horn speaker development project. I think they could be fabulous sonically with a concrete cabinet. Such a speaker cabinet will not only damp itself nicely but by virtue of its locallized mass on the listening room floor will dampen unwanted floor vibrations as well! The weight becomes a drawback in shipping and handling though. However for perfection we must stand firm against compromises.

Rob