Matthew CoxSpeaker stands may not be the first thing you think of when you think of upgrading your audio setup, but not only do they add to the aesthetic of your setup. They can impact how you perceive the quality of sound. The best speaker stands to get are stable and support your speaker model, as well as those that will bring your speakers up to ear level.
Our Recommendations
Hercules Amplifier Stand
Produced by a heavily trusted brand in the pro audio community, Hercules, the SS200BB speaker stands are well-built and heavy-duty, making them some of the best speaker stands for PA purposes.
On-Stage SMS600
The On-Stage SMS600 adopts a classic design and is produced by another reputable company. These stands provide long-lasting use and a subtle look, complimenting any studio environment.
Edifier Speaker Stands
The Edifier S3000 speaker stands are stylish, well-built, and can be filled with sand for additional isolation. These speaker stands can’t be adjusted, but their height is universally usable for couch-based listening.
Sanus HTBS Speaker Stands
The Sanus HTBS speaker stands follow a different design, allowing you to mount your bookshelf speakers by means of one of three mounting options, and the height range is incredibly versatile.
Amazon Basics Speaker Stand
Adopting a classic design, the Amazon Basics speaker stands are incredibly affordable and can last many working hours if used correctly.
To go into it a little more, two factors influence a speaker’s performance, aside from the quality of the speaker itself: speaker placement and listening position. Money spent on quality speakers can quickly be wasted due to improper placement. To get the most out of your sound system, a basic understanding of speaker isolation and directivity will go a long way.
Whether using your speakers for music production, critical listening, or home theater applications, you’ll want to align them properly and find the listening ‘sweet spot’ to achieve the best sound quality. A short speaker placement guide is included at this article’s end.
The Best PA Speaker Stands
For the best speaker stands for PA systems, you’ll want a heavier-duty stand that can not only support the speakers’ weight and size but won’t tip over if gently bumped or blown in the wind.
Hercules SS200BB Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
Hercules is widely respected in the professional audio industry for their well-built speaker, and instrument stands. The SS200BB speaker stands can accommodate a speaker with a 35/38mm pole socket and uses a pinhole-type system to secure the speaker on the stand, with a maximum height of up to 8 feet. The SS200BB speaker stands come as a pair with a sturdy carry bag.
On-Stage SSP7900 Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
On-Stage speaker stands are also extensively used in professional environments, and their instrument and equipment stands are all exceptionally well-made. The SSP7900 speaker stands are strong enough to hold any PA speaker and can reach a height of 6.25 feet. While the locking mechanisms aren’t as durable as those on the Hercules stands, I can trust them to hold my system safely. The SSP7900 speaker stands come with a drawstring-style carry bag with an adjustable shoulder strap.
Amazon Basics Speaker Stand
Why We Recommend It
The Amazon Basics speaker stand is an excellent entry-level option for house parties or mobile DJs. The stands aren’t as sturdy as the On-Stage or Hercules options, but they will safely hold your speakers and should prove to last if they’re used correctly. The Amazon Basics speaker stands can reach a height of 6.6 feet and can be purchased with a 25- or 50ft cable. There is no option for a carry bag, though any speaker stand bag will work for these.
The Best Home Theater/Critical Listening Speaker Stands
Suppose you’re running a stereo or surround home theater system, bookshelf speakers, or enjoy listening to classic records on the couch with a trusty pair of far-field monitors. In that case, you’ll need something that suits the height requirements and the design and theme of your living room/entertainment area. Below are our selections for the best home theatre and critical listening speaker stands.
Edifier S3000 Pro Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
Edifier, a familiar audio brand, offers a stylish solution for bookshelf speakers or home theater systems. These stands are specifically designed for their S3000 Pro bookshelf speakers but can accommodate other models as long as they aren’t too large for the base plate (9.05 x 11.81). We believe these are some of the best speakers stands for a wood-finished room – with a clean design and good support.
The S3000 Pro speaker stands are 25.6 inches tall, an ideal height for couch-based listening, though if your speakers aren’t very tall, you may find the driver’s cone to be more aligned with your stomach or chest area. For most purposes, this shouldn’t be an issue, but for audiophiles/critical listeners, please measure the height of your speaker’s cone to ensure the height is correct for your listening area. The Edifier S3000 Pro speaker stands also allow for sand-filling, which reduces unwanted resonance.
Perlegear PGSS6 Universal Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
The Perlegear PGSS6 Universal Speaker Stands are designed to hold any speaker that fits on the base plate, measuring 7.79 x 7.79 inches. The speaker stand is 27.5 inches tall, which can be slightly tall for couch-based listening if your seat is pretty close to the ground, so check those measurements before purchasing.
These speaker stands are considerably cheaper than the Edifier models but don’t allow for sand-filling and adopt a simpler look and feel, with a steel and tempered glass design in black, complimenting any environment.
The PGSS6 speaker stands by Perlegear feature a hollowed pole with holes on either end to run cables through- I like this for cable management, as it allows you to keep all the cable slack within the stand rather than hanging around on the floor.
Sanus HTBS Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
These Sanus HTBS Universal Speaker Stands are designed specifically for bookshelf speakers with a mounting hole at the rear. These stands are 28 inches tall and are incredibly discreet, with a thin pole and non-offensive base that won’t distract from its surroundings.
These speaker stands can hold small satellite and bookshelf speakers weighing up to 3.5 lbs. They allow for mounting in three configurations, including L-shaped brackets, top plate mounting, and keyhole adapters, maximizing their versatility and compatibility.
The speaker stand base comes with attachable carpet spikes, promoting a non-slip functionality, and rubberized pads for wood or tiled surfaces.
The Best Studio Monitor Stands
These stands are ideal for music producers, recording and mix engineers, and other audio applications using studio monitors. However, someone in video editing or an avid gamer could benefit from a good-sounding setup at their desk.
Gator Frameworks Clamp-On Studio Monitor Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
Owned by Gator, praised industry-wide for their hard-shell and flight case quality, they produce convenient desktop clamp-style speaker stands under the name Frameworks, who also make other studio furniture and accessories.
The Frameworks Clamp-On speaker stands are great for smaller home studios as they don’t occupy any floor space, eliminating the need to have your desk a few feet away from the wall with your speakers behind it.
These speaker stands can extend to a height of 14 inches, and your speaker can be angled toward you anywhere between 0 and 15 degrees.
IsoAcoustics Iso-155 Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
The Iso-155 speaker stands from IsoAcoustics is another incredibly compact and versatile isolation solution for smaller spaces. The Iso-155 stands on four legs and is sturdy enough to hold any studio monitor. This speaker stand is available in various size configurations to suit any speaker, and its height can be adjusted between 14 settings, ranging from 2.9 to 8.2 inches.
The Iso-155 speaker stands can also operate at a tilted angle, allowing you to get the most out of your listening setup. Adjusting the parameters of these speaker stands is incredibly straightforward- I found the best setting for my studio in minutes.
On-Stage SMS6000 Studio Speaker Stands
Why We Recommend It
Adopting a classic design widely used in professional studios where floor space behind the desk/console isn’t an issue, the SMS6000 speaker stands by On-Stage Stands is an affordable and guaranteed solution to achieving proper isolation and, in turn, more accurate sound representations from your speakers.
The SMS6000 speaker stands stem from a triangular base fitted with carpet spikes. The height can be adjusted between 36.5 and 54 inches to suit any listening position. These speaker stands use PA-style locking pins, so the height adjustments occur in increments of 4 inches.
The base plate of this speaker stand includes a thin layer of non-slip padding, so your speakers aren’t in danger of shifting around from vibrations or knocks and bumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should My Speakers Go on Stands?
You may have noticed that placing your portable Bluetooth speaker on the kitchen counter makes it sound different from when it’s on the grass because a speaker’s surroundings alter the tonal qualities. If you want the most accurate response from your speakers, you’ll need to isolate them- sadly, this means your bookshelf speakers can no longer sit on the bookshelf.
I won’t go into too much detail about sound isolation here. Still, it’s important to recognize that placing your speakers on your desk will allow lower-frequency energy to disperse into the desk, causing resonating frequencies, which can dramatically modify the way your source material sounds.
To combat this, we use speaker stands, which not only isolate the speakers from conflicting materials and surfaces but also let you adjust the speaker’s height to achieve optimal listening positioning.
What Else Can I do to Improve Isolation?
In addition to using speaker stands, many professionals use a second isolation technique: placing the speakers atop a layer of heavily-absorbent foam, facilitating further isolation and reducing unwanted resonance.
Isolation pads are available from several manufacturers and come in various sizes. The Mopad range by Auralex is arguably the best on the market and isn’t too expensive.
Some speaker stands, like the Edifier S3000 Pro stands, allow for sand-filling. This increases the stand’s density, providing an additional isolation layer and reducing resonance from the stand itself.
Where Do I Place My Speaker Stand?
For a stereo pair of speakers, this is relatively straightforward:
Your listening position should form an equilateral triangle between you and each speaker, i.e., The distance between the speakers should be the same as your distance from the speakers, and the speaker’s cone should be firing at ear level. There’s a little more to it, but this is all that’s important for now.
Are Speaker Stands Universal?
Mostly, no. PA speaker stands to attach themself to the speaker using a mounting hole found beneath the speaker, while monitor stands or bookshelf speaker stands to have a plate on which the speaker rests. Some exceptions, such as the Sanus HTBS speaker stands, don’t have a plate but allow you to mount the speaker using hooks or brackets.
Does The Material of the Stand Affect The Performance?
Since the speaker stand is in direct contact with the speaker, it will resonate. However, these resonances aren’t easily perceivable, especially in live sound situations where PA speakers are used at louder volume levels.
For studio monitors or critical listening stands, the isolation provided by the speaker stands effectively reduces interference within the room. However, extra isolation methods such as foam pads beneath the speakers will further decouple the speaker from the stand, reducing the resonance you may hear.
