speaker stands

amitm · « **on:** 29 Jul 2004, 04:03 am »

Hi all

I will be demo-ing some monitors soon in my home (SA-1 from Selah); however, I have no speaker stands. In all likelihood, I will not buy monitors for my home -- I will be listening to these to figure out whether to go for one of Rick's floorstanding models. However, I figure I would keep one around in case I want to audition anything else again. So, I need a recommendation for speaker stands on the cheap and figured I would ask the knowledable folks here

. DIY is out because of time considerations.

I have looked at everything from $60/$90 Parts Express 24" stands to the four post stands from Sound Anchors ($550) via the Lovans, etc. Would love it if I can get away with Parts Express stands filled with sand. I want to keep the price down as much as possible without compromising significantly on the sound. Any ideas?

Thanks,

--amit

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 06:08 am »

I would personally go for the PE stands, especially if it's a "temp" type situation. I think it's a great deal. You could also fill it with steel shot or something.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 06:33 am »

What I've heard from others is that the PE stands work very good. And you can't beat the price...new stands. Could always check Agon for used , or get a few of these

....Just need four of them...two stacked for each speaker. Comes in other colors.....

satfrat · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 07:01 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

What I've heard from others is that the PE stands work very good. And you can't beat the price...new stands. Could always check Agon for used , or get a few of these ....Just need four of them...two stacked for each speaker. Comes in other colors.....

Hey, I use them "stands" at work. How many you need? I'd recommend stacking them 2 high for about a 36" high stand.

Regards, Robin

amitm · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 12:09 pm »

Looking at it, those stackable baskets look great, especially if I mix and match colors

. I think though that I may have some trouble spiking speakers on them

--amit

tvyankee · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 12:40 pm »

i don't know if you know or not but von schweikert audio sells a set of stands for $150.00 retail. they come in black and are 24in tall. i have a set and they well built and good looking as well.

good luck.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 12:53 pm »

What about using another pair of speakers?? If you could easily find some cheapo cabinets (thrift stores, etc.) that were still in good shape, it might look pretty good. If the drivers themselves were shot, you could use them later for DIY subwoofers (new baffle/ new driver & crossover); if the drivers were OK, you could use them later in a basement/garage system??

Someone I knew gave me his old Radio Shack floorstanders: they sounded like crap, but the wooden cabinets & grills were quite nice. A pair of KEF monitors sat on top nicely for a while.

Of course, when you actually NEED to find speakers like this, they're often impossible to find; when you don't WANT them, they're all over the place.

JoshK · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 02:42 pm »

I made a pair of stand myself using solid oak table legs and a couple of pieces of flat laminated wood slabs glued together. Quite heavy and solid, cheap, easy to make and they look good.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 03:50 pm »

I know you asked for non-DIY, but this MIGHT be easy enough to do.
One of Mapleshade's solution to stands is to mount even monitors low and angle them upwards fairly drastically.

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/tweaks/speakerstands.php

The commercial models are relatively expensive, but it seems one could use his own maple platforms and cones in a similar Mapleshade fashion.
Once the pseudo-Mapleshades had served their purpose, one could use the maple and cones elsewhere in the system (for isolating CD players and such?).

Kenobi · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 04:16 pm »

Consider also a pair of Osiris stands--solidly built w/ performance to match. Here's a pair from Agon: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1096049252

Good luck,

Jetsons · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 04:23 pm »

I own Osiris 24" stands and these are the best that I've seen. Very attractive and heavy (45LB empty) with massive solid adjustable brass spikes. You can find lots of owner feedback on these at Audio Asylum. They are no longer in production.

BTW, they have excellent resale value.

New ones available here: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1096049252

Jet

amitm · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 08:20 pm »

Thanks for all the suggestions -- I will decide soon, and let you all know what I got.

--amit

hifitommy · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Aug 2004, 06:04 pm »

the milk crates are fine when your just finding out that speakers sound better off the floor but dedicated stands are more the way to go.

the proper height can be selected for getting the tweeter at ear level, they can be spiked to the floor for rigidity, filled with sand or lead shot for mass, and be tilted back if desired.

the parts express stands are very likely capable of these features. spending more for more advanced stands may or may not fit into your budget.