musichal
poet emeritus
I have read and heard all kinds of claims about the effects of speaker stands on sound quality that tend to range from the mundane to the rediculous. However, I doubt that anyone would deny that they can make a huge difference - just starting with getting the speakers to a better listening height is a very obvious element of a stand's function.
Maybe most, or at least many, would also agree that a heavier stand is preferred and can also make an audible difference. However, I can't see paying as much for them, on my budget, as some folks do who are my betters economically.
I am sure that some of you may have stumbled upon the same solution that I found; I have not seen anyone else do this, but it is so obvious that others have undoubtedly done something similar. I bought half cinder blocks (about 7 3/4" x 7 1/2") at the depot, and a couple of rectangular solid blocks of concrete that are the same width as the half-cinders and about twice the length (about 15 1/2" x 7 3/4" x 3 3/4"). Also a couple cans of flat black paint (or whatever color is appropriate, I guess, would work as well).
Painted all the blocks, then used the solid rectangular blocks as platforms for the half-cinders (makes an inverted "T" - viewed from the front - which looks fine). I stacked the blocks with the voids or 'holes' to the center, so they look solid all the way around - they don't look like cinder blocks. You simply measure your speakers first, of course, to see how much lift you need to get the height you want, I wanted the tweeters at ear height (me seated), and was able to get within less than an inch of what I had calculated stacking these blocks.
Also, ever the cheapskate, I simply cut up a couple old mouse pads for dampening between the speaker and blocks, which also prevents scratching of the speaker bottoms as well as any rattling which might occur. This stand provides a very 'massy' foundation for the speaker, and is not pure ugly. One visitor reached down to touch the stand, and was very surprised, commenting that he had thought the stand was actually part of the speaker and expected to feel grill cloth.
"This is concrete, ain't it!" he said. Yes it is, rock solid (and cheap).
So, have any of you done something similar that you like? Also, I'm thinking of using mouse pads for dampening in other audio applications. Any ideas, comments, or reccomendations?
Oh, yes. One other advantage of this stand I have discovered is that if you change speakers (as I just did, going to a larger pair), then it is easily adjustable by removing/adding blocks. And for fine-tuning height, you can always cut a 1/2" or 3/4" block of wood (painted to match, obviously) to insert under the speaker.
Maybe most, or at least many, would also agree that a heavier stand is preferred and can also make an audible difference. However, I can't see paying as much for them, on my budget, as some folks do who are my betters economically.
I am sure that some of you may have stumbled upon the same solution that I found; I have not seen anyone else do this, but it is so obvious that others have undoubtedly done something similar. I bought half cinder blocks (about 7 3/4" x 7 1/2") at the depot, and a couple of rectangular solid blocks of concrete that are the same width as the half-cinders and about twice the length (about 15 1/2" x 7 3/4" x 3 3/4"). Also a couple cans of flat black paint (or whatever color is appropriate, I guess, would work as well).
Painted all the blocks, then used the solid rectangular blocks as platforms for the half-cinders (makes an inverted "T" - viewed from the front - which looks fine). I stacked the blocks with the voids or 'holes' to the center, so they look solid all the way around - they don't look like cinder blocks. You simply measure your speakers first, of course, to see how much lift you need to get the height you want, I wanted the tweeters at ear height (me seated), and was able to get within less than an inch of what I had calculated stacking these blocks.
Also, ever the cheapskate, I simply cut up a couple old mouse pads for dampening between the speaker and blocks, which also prevents scratching of the speaker bottoms as well as any rattling which might occur. This stand provides a very 'massy' foundation for the speaker, and is not pure ugly. One visitor reached down to touch the stand, and was very surprised, commenting that he had thought the stand was actually part of the speaker and expected to feel grill cloth.
"This is concrete, ain't it!" he said. Yes it is, rock solid (and cheap).
So, have any of you done something similar that you like? Also, I'm thinking of using mouse pads for dampening in other audio applications. Any ideas, comments, or reccomendations?
Oh, yes. One other advantage of this stand I have discovered is that if you change speakers (as I just did, going to a larger pair), then it is easily adjustable by removing/adding blocks. And for fine-tuning height, you can always cut a 1/2" or 3/4" block of wood (painted to match, obviously) to insert under the speaker.
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