Best speaker stands 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]

Last Updated September 1, 2023

Best speaker stands of 2018

Many models on the market may be confusing to a person who is shopping for their first time. Based on customer reviews and my own experience with the cowboy method I’ve found the best 3 speaker stands on the market. If you’re reading this, it is very likely that you’re scouting for the best speaker stands. We’ve narrowed down our options based on the customer feedback (read positive reviews), functionality, material and size. In other words, we’ve put all fundamentals into consideration to come up with a comprehensive list that suits various needs.

Test Results and Ratings

Rank	№1	№2	№3
Product
Total	4.8	4.5	4.3
Ease of use	5 points	4 points	5 points
Size	4 points	5 points	4 points
Performance	5 points	4 points	4 points
Price	5 points	5 points	4 points
Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

№1 – SANUS BF31-B1 31″ Speaker Stands for Bookshelf Speakers up to 20 lbs – Black – Set of 2

Why did this speaker stands win the first place?

The material is stylish, but it smells for the first couple of days. I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch!

Ease of use 5

Size 4

Performance 5

Price 5

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№2 – SANUS Adjustable Height Speaker Stand – Extends 28″ to 38″ – Holds Satellite & small Bookshelf Speakers

Why did this speaker stands come in second place?

The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. Managers explained me all the details about the product range, price, and delivery. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made.

Ease of use 4

Size 5

Performance 4

Price 5

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№3 – Pa Speaker Stands Pair Pro Adjustable Height with 50 Cable Ties Kit To Secure Cable to stand

Why did this speaker stands take third place?

This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. We are very pleased with the purchase — the product is great!

Ease of use 5

Size 4

Performance 4

Price 4

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speaker stands Buyer’s Guide

Argosy Classic Speaker Stands

The most basic consideration when shopping for speaker stands is the weight rating. Are the stands rated to handle the weight of your speakers? If not, that means the stands will likely be unstable when your speakers are placed on top. However, just because a manufacturer rates a pair of stands for the weight of your speakers, that doesn’t mean they will be as stable as you want.  If you have kids or pets, you need to think about more than just weight rating. Other factors, such as the weight and height of the stand, and the size of the bottom plate, will give you a more complete picture of the stand’s stability.

Construction material

Speaker stands are generally made of two materials, wood or steel. Both have their own merits. Wood stands tend to be less expensive as long as they use MDF with some sort of wrap; however, these stands don’t hold up well over time as the wrap is often times easily damaged. Solid wood stands are more durable, but are also much more probably fair to say that most stands on the market are constructed of steel.

Usually steel stands utilize a hollow main support, which means they can be speaker stands with sand, or some other material, is a common practice to improve stability and even sound quality. Additionally, steel stands tend to hold up better than wood because, well, they’re steel.

Base & Feet

Obviously, the wider and heavier the base, the more stable the stands will be. The base on the Sanus SF2Speaker Stands is 11”x14”, and they were quite stable during my review of the nearly 30lb Polk Audio LSiM703s. I’m not sure how heavy the base is, but the entire stand weighs about 16lbs. You will be hard pressed to find stands with a base much larger than 11″x14″.

The OmiMount Gemini stands feature interchangable base inserts used on carpet. The spikes punch through the carpet and pad to secure speaker directly to the subfloor underneath. If you are particularly concerned about stability, try to find stands that work with 3rd party outriggers, such as those from Soundocity.

Rahul Ghosh

Rahul is one of the original members of the ExtensivelyReviewed team. Born in Chennai and living most of his childhood in Kolkata, he originally moved to the United States for school and earned his electrical engineering degree at the University of Central Florida, graduating with honors. Rahul enjoys reviewing the latest electronics and gadgets.

Material Used for the Base

Broadly speaking the base of the stands is available in three different materials – metal, glass and wood with the first two being more common. These are the most common materials used for most household and electronic accessories.

Points to be considered regarding a speaker stand

Size: As is obvious, speaker stands come in every shape and size. What is required is that the size of the stand as well as its shape should be similar to the speaker that you have. Take for instance, if the speakers you possess have a base that has a square shape then the table-top of your speaker stand should also be square or must be slightly larger than the speaker’s base.

Weight Capacity: This is an important point to be considered. It is very obvious that large speakers will be heavier than the speakers that are small-sized. If you buy the wrong stand for your speakers then you will not only risk the chance of your stand being getting damaged but even your speakers can be at risk. It thus becomes evident that you need to check the product information provided by the manufacturer to ensure the weight capacity of each of the stands.

Design: The sound quality of your audio system largely depends on the design of the speaker stand. You need to be thinking judiciously in order to make you speakers efficient and effective. If you have a home theater setup then purchasing a rear speaker stand tends to make your sound system even more functional. But if you’re looking for better optimization of your audio system then surround-sound stands permit for apt positioning of the system.

Placement: It is essential to note that your listening experience depends quite a lot on how your speakers are placed in the room. Improper placement of the speakers may not yield a good experience. You can ask for help from your friends or neighbors to position the speakers in different areas to find the best location.

Construction: The construction of speaker stands also plays an evident role in optimizing the functionality of your speakers. The stands must be durable and sturdy. They should be quite well constructed so that they can endure the capacity of speakers and also help in optimization. Hardwood speaker-stands or metal speaker-stands both stand to elevate the aesthetics of your speakers.

Keeping all the above points in view, you can purchase the best speaker stands for your stereo speakers or home theater speakers. The investment though a little is a valuable investment.

Features and Specifications

This speaker stand is apt for placing your audio system at the desired height in order to obtain surround or stereo sound. The stand has been constructed of cast iron with black-matte finesse and has a sturdy and durable built to withstand speakers having capacity of pounds. It also has a wide three-leg base. The stand can be adjusted from a height of 27-4inches. It also consists of a support pole and base-conceal speaker-cables that are so designed to be kept out of sight. It supports satellite speakers having weight up to lbs.

Pros and Cons

The robust and durable design of the stands appeals to the buyers. The base of the stand is wide enough to avoid toppling over due to any clumsy handling. The height is easily adjustable because of the feature provided by the stand and moreover the price at which it is available is unimaginable. The only difficulty that the buyers usually encounter is in the installation of the stand. But it is recommended usually that the manual should be read carefully before carrying out any step.

Features and Specification

The stand has been basically designed to hold satellite surround speakers manufactured by some major renowned manufacturers. The height adjustment feature can position it from a height of 26.inches to 4inches. The top plate or the table top is capable of panning 180 degrees and also providing a tilt of +/- degrees. This helps in adjusting the levels. The wire management is concealed and successfully helps in easy installation and it also comes with a side clamping top-plate. The stability is ensured with this stylish black matte finish steel stands.

Headphones

For Musicians just setting up new studios it may be best to experiment with a cheaper studio monitor stand to really get a feel for the different monitor bases and the functions they perform. Many of the cheaper studio monitors in our review proved to be extremely durable and of good quality construction.

Neatness and general Appearance

Modern studio monitors are built with a variety of different finishes, designed to suit professional studios, small home studios, studies and even general living spaces.  Wood laminate finishes fit nicely into a general home setting or a sleek commercial style studio.  Many other stands come in elegant black metal finishes, an elegant, but durable option which may be better suited to your purposes.

Some stands also offer separate cavities, keeping your power and audio cables neat and hidden from view. Other brands such as the DR Pro SMS1BK Studio Monitor Stands are supplied with adhesive cable clips that can be affixed to the back of the stand. Should you have numerous cables and wires snaking around your studio, cable management could be something to consider.

Insurance

Nobody’s perfect. That’s why you buy liability insurance: You can avoid financial ruin if you accidentally cause major injuries or property damage to others. Problem is, your insurance isn’t perfect, either. That’s where a personal umbrella insurance policy comes in.

Think of umbrella insurance — sometimes called excess liability insurance — as a fail-safe for your savings and other assets. If you’re sued for damages that exceed the liability limits of your car insurance, homeowners insurance or some other coverage types, an umbrella policy helps pay what you owe. In some cases it provides coverage that’s not included in the base insurance policies.

Hammock 101

All you need to do is plug in a few of your known (or desired) factors and the calculator will take care of the rest. It even opens with several default options preset that work perfectly with your Trek Light Hammock – the Ridgeline Length is already set to 10inches and the Sit Height is set to 1inches (average chair height for most).

The Hammock Hang Calculator will show you how high to set your suspension points (rope, straps, eyebolt, etc.) to get the perfect hang every time.

As it says in the disclaimer on the page, please keep in mind that the calculator is designed for ‘estimating and entertainment purposes only’ and the same goes for the contents of this guide.  You should always get a professional opinion when hanging your hammock indoors, make sure any object you’re hanging from is strong enough to support your weight and double check all equipment.

Neither Derek nor Trek Light Gear can be held liable for damage or injury that results from hanging your hammock incorrectly, from an insecure object or in an unsafe manner.

The science behind our TV size and distance calculator

Bigger and closer is usually better when it comes to choosing the perfect television for your room. Not only is it the biggest factor affecting the price of a television, but it also has a huge impact on the perceived picture quality.

TV filling 30 degrees of the field of vision

Since resolutions found today are almost exclusively 4k/Ultra HD, It takes a very big TV watched from very close to see imperfections related to the resolution. Because of this, one can appreciate their TVs from much closer for a more immersive experience. Think of it like a movie theater, the more a TV fills your view, the more captivating the content will be.

Angular resolution

Higher field of view was first made possible with Full HD resolutions, but 4k enhances that ability even more. Sitting close to a 1080p TV will often make it seem like you are watching your TV through a screen door, even if it is playing a high quality 1080p HD movie. By increasing your distance from the TV, the density of the details will also increase, producing a better image. This is the angular resolution: the number of pixels per angle. The farther away, the higher the angular resolution will be.

Since 4k TVs have such a large density of pixels, it is much more difficult for this issue to arise. You need to be quite close to a fairly large TV for it to be noticeably annoying.

The limit to which you can increase the angular resolution by stepping back depends on your visual acuity. At some point, your eyes are not good enough to distinguish all the details. Studies show that someone with 20/20 vision (or 6/in Europe) can distinguish something 1/60 of a degree apart. This means 60 pixels per degree or 3degrees for a 1080p television. 4k UHD TVs double that to 6degrees. Keep in mind that you can see a single pixel from further away (depending on its contrast with the rest of the picture).

Compression Artifacts

This takes into account perfect resolution, which is never the case in real life. Even if you are watching an HD channel presented in high resolution, there will be some artifacts due to the compression algorithm. Artifacts can appear in multiple forms like noise, blurs or a pixelated image (see the picture to the right). You will be able to see artifacts from farther away, so consider the above numbers as being for perfect 1080p media. The numbers show the minimum distance at which you start losing the advantage of the resolution. However, 4k TVs are the most common nowadays, and we recommend using our FOV chart as angular resolution is almost a non-issue with UHD content.

Let Us First Understand Your Power Requirement

One of the most important thing that you must know before buying an inverter is your “power requirement”. In simple words- what all home appliances (like lights, fans, televisions, or any other appliances) you will run at the time of power cut. Power requirement is an addition of the power consumed by various electrical home appliances.

Find the VA Rating of the Inverter You Need

VA stands for Volt ampere rating. It is the voltage and current supplied by the inverter to the equipment. Your appliances need more VA than the power requirement in Watts due to the nature of the devices. The ratio is called Power factor.

Hence Power supplied (or VA rating of inverter) = Power requirement (power consumed by equipment in watts) / Power factor.

HP G8X92AA LA Prime vGraphing Calculator

The G8X92AA from HP is a cutting-edge new generation statistical calculator that boasts of features like a full-color display, multi touch control options like the keyboard or the touch screen and the ability to switch between different types of views (Graphical or numbers) with dedicated keys.

That’s not all either. With a simple firmware upgrade and HP Prime Wireless Kitand HP Connectivity Kit, you also get support for P2P (Prime to Prime) and in-class Wi-Fi that allows you to wirelessly connect and transfer data between the calculator and a computer. As would be evident by now, the usage of the calculator is not limited to a statistic class. It is also widely used in engineering, chemistry, computer science, trigonometry and the likes.

Packed To The Brim With Features

The HP G8X92AA is hands down, the most feature rich statistic calculator that we have seen in recent times. There’s no end to what you can do with it. But just to give you an idea, it features graphing functions like scatter plot, 2-D, parametric and more, Scientific functions like unit conversions, Boolean graphics and angle conversions, statistical functions like Σx, Σx2, Σy, Σy2, Σxy, linear regression and more.

Display

The most desirable ones have a full multi colored LCD display. But even black and white displays work equally well provided that the numbers are sharp and crisp. You will be using the calculator in differently lit rooms. So, the display is of penultimate importance.

Features

Apart from the type of calculations that you can perform, there are many other features that can make life simpler while you are using the best statistical calculator. The playback feature or a rewind feature as it is called in some models, allows you to go back and alter a formula or a calculation. Advanced graphing will be immensely helpful in both statistical as well as scientific calculations.

An internal storage memory allows you to store your calculations for future reference. USB connectivity will let you transfer the data from the calculator to a computer and vice a versa. Some advanced calculator models even support Wi-Fi these days allowing you to wirelessly transmit data. When it comes to features, the sky is the limit. But an often overlooked one is a sliding protective cover that keeps the keypad safe from wear and tear due to repeated use.

Get advice

Taking advice from a qualified expert offers you extra protection because if the mortgage turns out to be unsuitable, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

If you choose to go down the ‘execution-only’ route (where you make decisions on your own without advice), there will be fewer circumstances where you can complain to FOS.

Mortgage advice: where to go for the best mortgage deal.

When it pays to switch and when it doesn’t

Use our Mortgage calculator to see how much you could save by switching.

In the two examples below you can see how the size and remaining term of your outstanding mortgage can affect whether or not it’s worth switching.

If you change your mortgage before the end of your deal you might have to pay a fee (called an ‘early repayment charge’).

Use these links to get an idea of your home’s current value.

Reducing your loan-to-value to get a better rate

Every mortgage deal has a limit to how much you can borrow when compared with the current value of the property.

This is shown as a percentage and is called the ‘loan-to-value’.

When you remortgage, the lower the loan-to-value you need, the more deals that might be available to you – and you might be able to get cheaper mortgage deals.

Use these links to get an idea of your home’s current value.

Look for similar properties for sale in your postcode on Rightmove.

Your lender’s valuation

Bear in mind that when you apply for a mortgage, the lender’s valuation might just involve checking the outside of the property from the street.

If you think the valuation is much too low – and that you’re losing out on a better rate as a result – ask the lender to reconsider.

To support your case, you could provide evidence of the sale price of a few similar properties in your area and, if relevant, list the cost of any expensive home improvements you’ve carried out.

If as a result of cost savings you can make by remortgaging, you’re wondering whether to pay off your mortgage early, read our guide below.

Remortgaging to get a better interest rate

When you take out a new mortgage, you normally get an introductory deal.

For example a low fixed or discounted rate or a low tracker rate for the first few years of your mortgage.

Introductory deals normally last for between two and five years.

Once the deal ends you’ll probably be moved onto your lender’s standard variable rate, which will usually be higher than other rates that you might be able to get elsewhere.

So when your introductory period ends, take a look at the market to see if switching to a new mortgage deal will save you money.

Bear in mind that if you only have a small outstanding mortgage the amount you stand to save might be too low to make switching worthwhile.

It’s also worth reviewing options Before interest rates change.

Remortgaging to consolidate debt

If you have a lot of debt, you might be tempted to borrow some extra money and use it to pay off your other debts.

Even though interest rates on mortgages are normally lower than rates on personal loans – and much lower than credit cards – you might end up paying far more overall if the loan is over a longer term.

The HARP loan requirements are

If you meet these two criteria, you may be HARP-eligible. If your mortgage is an FHA, USDA, VA or a jumbo mortgage, you are not HARP-eligible.

Underwater FHA mortgages can be refinanced via the FHA Streamline Refinance program. Underwater VA mortgages can be refinanced via the VA IRRRL mortgage program (VA Streamline Refinance).

The weight limit is the most critical aspect to be considered when buying speaker stands. They should be capable of carrying the weight of your speakers. Mounting a large speaker on a lightweight stand could mean trouble for both, as the stand can tip over and bust the speaker.

Another thing to be noted that the manufacturer-rated weight limit is not always reliable. For example, a pair of stands rated as 30lbs might not be as stable as to carry 30lbs speakers. So, it’s safe to buy stands with a higher weight limit than the weight of your speakers.

On the contrary, if you’re going to place them in high-traffic areas, you need to think about the overall stability than just the weight rating. Consider the height, weight, and base size to get a complete picture.

Design & Size

Speaker stands not only enhance the sound quality of your home audio system, but they also improve its efficiency and functionality. Latest models come in a sleek and streamlined design, promoting a minimal and clutter-free lifestyle.

Speaker stands are available in a variety of sizes. Their size and shape should be compatible with those aspects of the speakers you are buying the stands for. For example, if your speakers are rectangular, the stands’ top plate should be rectangular as well. The top plate’s size should be exact or slightly bigger than the base of the speakers for a clean, aesthetic look.

Construction

The build of stands should be strong and stable. Otherwise, they will tend to wobble frequently.

Stands made of solid wood are expensive, but they are much durable and offer quality performance. MDF or faux wood stands are less expensive, but they are prone to damage and abuse over time.

However, most of the stands are made of steel. They are moderately priced and hold up better than other materials. These stands come with a hollow center that you can be fill with sand or other materials for better stability and improved sound quality.

Some steel stands come with a wooden base. These stands don’t easily tip over and have a good grip on most of the surfaces.

VIVO STAND-SP02B

VIVO is renowned for manufacturing high fidelity audio systems. Their Premium Universal Floor Speaker Stands (STAND-SP02B) are the perfect companions for the best bookshelf speakers and surround-sound speakers.

The VIVO STAND-SP02B is designed to enhance your audio listening experience. They have the standard height to elevate your speakers to the ear level and a sleek, smart appearance that complement any home theater system.

Design & Construction

Available in a pair, the VIVO STAND-SP02Bs can blend into any modern interiors with their glossy black appearance. They look modern and sleek and are made of premium aluminum and tempered glass, which give them a sturdy, robust construction. The aluminum pillars are designed to carry up to 22lbs.

The VIVO STAND-SP02Bs come with spikes for having a better grip when placed on a carpet or area rug. However, you can also remove the spikes if you want to position them on a bare floor or wooden surface. Besides, they have an internal cable management option for keeping speaker cords organized and out of sight.

Performance

The stands are incredibly easy to put together. You just have to figure out where to put the single nut and washer on each stand, and you are done! In fact, VIVO packs the wrench too that you’ll need to assemble.

The height of the stands from the floor to the top plate is 23-inch. Although 26-inch is the standard height for a stand, the VIVO STAND-SP02Bs work perfectly with most of the speaker systems.

Sanus VuePoint HTBS Speaker Stand

The steel construction and adjustable heights of HTBS stands make them compatible with most satellite speaker models and small bookshelf speakers. You can pair them up with speakers from brands like Polk, Sony, Bose, KEF, Klipsch, and others, and expect great performance.

Kanto SP26-PAIR Speaker Stands

The Kanto SP2speaker stands will help you get the most out of your bookshelf speakers. They sport a low-profile design and won’t probably add to the aesthetics of your room. However, they are super-functional, and have the standard height to elevate your speakers to the perfect position to ensure that even the most delicate sounds reach your ears.

Kanto is a Canada-based brand renowned for manufacturing electronic products. Their SP2stands aren’t cheap but you can expect functionality, ample stability, and a superb performance from the product. Pairing them up with Kanto speakers will help you experience an immersive sound.

Atlantic Satellite 7730501Speaker Stands

Considering the functional design and solid construction of the stands, you won’t find the same quality in any other model at the same price point.

Atlantic has always manufactured unique products that provide the best home organizational experience. The 7730501speaker stands also carry that philosophy and style.

VideoSecu MS07B Speaker Stands

They come with lots of adjustable options, giving you the flexibility of positioning your speakers the way you want. They have universal compatibility to accommodate all the satellite and surround-sound speakers from most of the leading manufacturers.

Mounting Dream MD540Speaker Stands

Mounting Dream is a brand of Xinadda that specializes in developing, producing, and marketing of a variety of electronic products. They are relatively new in the industry, but they’re slowly cementing their position with quality products.

VIVO Dual Pillar STAND-SP01B

The demand for good speaker stands is continuously growing among the consumers. So, it’s not surprising to find a plethora of products from plenty of manufacturers. VIVO is another player in that industry, and its speaker stands have already gained a position among audiophiles.

VIVO Dual Pillar STAND-SP01B speaker stands are a great solution for those who are looking for budget stands capable of carrying big speakers. The stands, with their dual-pillar design and wide bases, can carry a substantial amount of weight. Besides, the large top plates can hold speakers bigger in size.

VideoSecu MS07B 1BSpeaker Stands

The quality and features that VideoSecu provides at this price point are just amazing! The stands are also universally compatible with the best surround-sound speakers from the majority of leading brands including Bose, Sony, Acoustic Energy, and more.

Who should get this

Bookshelf speakers are great for anyone who enjoys listening to music and is willing to tolerate a bit more complexity in the setup than with typical Bluetooth speakers or whole-home audio systems. Bookshelf speakers can also perform almost identically to much larger tower speakers, with the exception of the lowest bass octaves, where a tower’s additional drivers kick in. You can remedy this shortcoming by adding a subwoofer, and in many cases the resulting setup will outperform a set of tower speakers.

Pull Quote

A pair of passive bookshelf speakers will never become obsolete.

Used with a receiver, bookshelf speakers let you listen to your audio sources in full resolution. Unlike most wireless models, they aren’t limited to CD resolution, since you can connect any device to your receiver’s inputs. You can enjoy analog playback from vinyl, high-resolution digital audio from a computer or a media server, lossless Blu-ray soundtracks, and streaming content, of course—just hook up the source of your choice.

Even if you listen exclusively to streaming audio sources such as Spotify, a stereo setup using bookshelf speakers might still be better than wireless speakers. For instance, you can choose a stereo receiver that provides integrated Spotify or Bluetooth support, like the NAD D 3020 or Yamaha R-N30Or you can integrate the speakers into a Sonos setup with a Connect:Amp or use them in a home theater system.

A good set of speakers is an investment that will last longer than any other tech purchase. A pair of passive bookshelf speakers will never become obsolete. Speakers from 30 years ago still work today, after all, and you can find many people still using speakers from over 50 years ago, with modern electronics to power them. While modern speakers may benefit from advances in driver and crossover design, an older speaker will usually still work and will probably last longer than any other piece of gear you could buy today.

Who else likes our pick

What Hi-Fi gave the Q Acoustics 3020 set a perfect five-star rating and an award in 201for the best stereo speaker under £200. The reviewers found nothing to complain about with the performance for the price.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Q Acoustics 3020 set does not play as deep down as some competitors, but people after extra bass will do much better to pair these speakers with a budget subwoofer anyway. Most people won’t have an issue with the bass response, though.

If the Q Acoustics set is unavailable, the ELAC Debut Bpair is a close runner-up (and our previous pick). In our tests the sound quality was virtually the same as that of the Q Acoustics set, but the ELAC pair had slightly better bass response. The Bspeakers are also physically larger, their veneer finish is not as polished, and they are less efficient (so a receiver or amplifier will need around 30 percent more power to drive them as loudly).

The Bspeakers are larger than some other bookshelf models, and the finish isn’t attractive, but this set is a terrific value. And if you want to upgrade later to a surround-sound system, you can add a matching center channel, towers, or even Atmos modules.

Music sounds more refined and defined through the Q150 set compared with cheaper models; you could easily listen to these speakers for hours without your ears growing fatigued. During complex test tracks like Beck’s “Lost Cause,” the Q150 set made it easy for us to pick out individual instruments—even easier than with our top pick. On tracks like “Giorgio by Moroder” from Daft Punk, the Q150 pair managed to reproduce the bass line with depth and detail missing from other speakers. Overall this set captured more of the music than the less expensive speakers did.

The Q150 set comes in white or black finish, and KEF sells a matching center-channel speaker. Magnetic grills, to protect the speakers from kids and pets, are optional.

Each LS50 speaker includes a Uni-Q driver, similar to that of the KEF Q150 but a higher-end version. The Uni-Q driver here is made of a magnesium-aluminum alloy instead of standard aluminum as in the Q150. In general, the LS50 model ranks far beyond other speakers in build quality, as it’s very heavy and more solid, with virtually no resonance when you knock on the cabinet. The LS50 pair is the best bookshelf speaker set we listened to. It’s expensive, but it offers an audible difference.

The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers did sound a bit dark—in our tests, voices and other instruments could sound muted, as if they were coming from behind a screen. In addition, the finish of these Pioneer speakers looks bland, with a faux wood grain and curved sides, and the cabinet feels lightweight and hollow overall.

This Pioneer set is the best option for the price, but stepping up provides easily noticeable benefits.

The competition

The Cambridge Audio Aero speakers were more compact than the other speakers we tried, and they sounded like it. The bass was quieter than the treble and midrange, and this pair was simply not as clear and defined as the larger bookshelf units.

The ELAC UBpair offered very good bass response and detail, but with a smaller soundstage. These speakers also had a less attractive finish and were harder to drive than some other models.

The Fluance XL7S pair produced a good soundstage but lacked bass, and the treble might be too bright for some listeners.

Micca’s MB42X set is small and compact, but in our tests this pair sounded poor next to all of the other contenders. The bass was lacking because of the small woofer, and the treble had a harsh, metallic sound. Beck’s voice during “Lost Cause” sounded different here than on everything else, as if the tonal balance of the speakers was wrong.

The Monitor Audio Bronze pair offered good bass response and a large soundstage, but the treble was muted next to that of other speakers. Instead of having too much treble, this set had too little compared with the midrange and bass, and it could make recordings sound dull as a result.

Monoprice’s Monolith K-BAS speakers use a bass port design that allows for extended response. They’re fairly tall black boxes that aren’t attractive, and while the bass was there in our tests, it wasn’t tight or detailed. Recordings sometimes sounded hollow, as if recorded inside a box.

Polk Audio’s RTI Aspeakers produced a large soundstage and lots of detail, but they had a particularly bright, forward treble that over time became hard to tolerate.

The Polk Audio TSi100 pair would have been our clear pick for an affordable speaker set if the company had not discontinued this model. In our tests this pair’s soundstage was more open than that of our Pioneer budget pick, with more clarity and very good bass. If you can find the TSi100 set, it’s a very good choice.

The Q Acoustics 2020i pair is compact but has an odd, awkward design. You connect the speaker cables on the bottom of each speaker, which can theoretically hide them but also might make these units hard to use on smaller speaker stands or other surfaces.

The SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers’ extra-large, 6½-inch woofers produced a room-filling bass that the other speakers simply could not touch. This SVS pair’s bass went deeper, had better definition, and helped the speakers create a larger soundstage than their rivals mustered. If your tastes run more toward rock or hip-hop and less toward jazz or other acoustic music, or if you want impact from movie soundtracks without a subwoofer, the SVS set might be your best option. But most listeners will get more out of the KEF Q150’s superior midrange and treble performance.

Wharfedale’s Diamond 220 set had good detail and nice bass but sounded boxed in. These speakers produced a soundstage that was narrow and confined to the center of the room, while other speakers created a more expansive stereo image. Aside from the soundstage, the quality of the sound was good, and we liked the build of the speakers, but we all preferred a sound that was more open.

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.

Recommended

The solution is to buy a pair of speaker stands, with fairly decent ones available from around £100 per pair but, as with all things hi-fi, the sky’s the limit. Ideally, the stands will be non-resonant and that means they will be quite weighty.

If you don’t want to splash out on speaker stands, you can try using dense concrete blocks from a builder’s merchant – and you may well be pleasantly surprised with the results. You can even stack them to achieve the necessary height, but take care to avoid having the blocks scratch the surfaces of your floor and speakers.

Basic Speaker Positioning

Begin by setting up the speakers in an equilateral triangle, where the distance between the speakers is the same as the distance between the speakers and the listening position – and with both speakers situated at equal distances from rear and side walls.

Solid sounds

Floorboards, shelves and joists can resonate, which can skew bass response and waste acoustic energy. Stray vibrations can also annoy your neighbours and cause havoc with turntables. So a solid and stable base for your speaker ensures that the energy from your drive units is turned into sound waves rather than leeching away into the floor or setting the speakers in motion.

Some speaker stands are designed for filling with rice, dry sand or other materials to dampen resonance and inhibit vibration transfer. To further minimise unwanted energy transfer, it’s usual to minimise physical contact between the speaker and the surface it’s placed on.

Speaker spikes are commonly used by many hi-fi enthusiasts because they reduce physical contact to an absolute minimum. Spikes can be placed under floor-standing speakers or speaker stands. You may even place the spikes between the speaker and the stand, too, and they can be found quite cheaply.

Spikes are a virtually essential addition if your plan is to use floor-standing speakers or stands in a carpeted room, to prevent them from rocking back and forth. With spikes on wood or laminate floors, you’ll also need to buy some floor protectors to avoid making unwanted holes and scratches.

Some people prefer ceramic cones between speakers and stands, but opinions on their efficacy differ.

Details

The MB5Stand series is a set of speaker stands design to complement our monitor speaker series. Constructed out of solid furniture board, the MB5Stand features a bottom heavy design and wide base that minimizes the risk of falls to protect your equipment. With enhanced, sound safeguarding technology, and integrated feet, the MB5Stand helps keep the music coming out with minimal interference.

The MB5Stand is finished with a sleek, wood-style grain that integrates seamlessly into both classic and modern spaces. The wood grain perfectly matches the MB5000 speakers to ensure the stand is an elegant counterpart to its speakers.

Monitor Speakers not Included

This product is built with the same quality found in all Technical Pro equipment ensuring it follows you from gig to gig over an extended lifespan. We stand by our work and every Technical Pro product comes with a one year warranty.

Consider This Before Choosing a Speaker Stand

Speaker Size. Have a look at the speakers you are planning on using the stand for. How big are they? Are they heavy? Buying a small, light weight, or cheap speaker stand for a pair of massive speakers makes little sense, as you could end up endangering both the speakers and the stand. Before buying one of the best speaker stands you should always check with the manufacturer to make sure the stand can hold the weight of your speakers.

Design. Depending on what types of speakers you want, there are different types of quality speaker stands that could suit you better. Look at the size of the speaker stands, the construction, and the overall look. Also have a look at the room where you are planning to place your speaker stands in order to make sure that it will fit where you intend for it to be positioned.

Durability and Price. As tempting as it can be to pick the best speaker stands that come with the lowest price tag, make sure they live up to your expectations. Many times when buying speaker stands that are of lower quality, you are likely to end up paying a lot more in the long run. It is better to invest in a set of more expensive speaker stands rather than having to replace them. Bear in mind, however, that expensive doesn’t always mean best. Do your research.

What you need to know

Having the best speakers does not necessarily imply the most expensive. It is true that good quality home theater speakers do not come cheap. But by best speakers we mean the most suitable home theater speakers that fit your budget for your room environment. This applies for each of the different speakers associated with the audio channels supported by your home theater system. It is here that this speaker guide comes in — to better explain the requirements associated with the different speakers in a multichannel speaker setup. We also discuss the differences between various types of home theater speakers to help you understand what to look for when making a purchase.

Main Left and Right Front Speakers

In a home theater surround sound set-up, the left and right speakers’ main function is to produce a wide enough soundstage — one that better merges with the image displayed on the screen for a more realistic viewing experience.

Highly rated speaker pair capable of sharp highs, solid bass and clarity across the full mid-range, ideal as main fronts in a surround sound setup.

These speakers handle the bulk of the sound, sound that moves between the left and right speakers in synchronization with the movement of the video content on the screen.

They also handle off-screen sound effects that fall outside the image field of view in the wider soundfield. In addition, the main fronts also serve as the two stereo channel speakers when listening to stereo music content.

What to look for

Main left/right home theater speakers come in all shapes and sizes. Full-range floor standing tower speakers give you the best performance especially in medium to large size rooms.

Mind you, big home theater speakers are not a pre-requisite for setting up a good home theater system especially if you will be installing a powered sub-woofer. But if as in most cases, you will also be using your multi-channel speaker setup for music listening and want to enjoy the very best sound, floor standing speakers represent the ideal option.

In addition, floor standing tower speakers are big enough to produce some serious bass, thus making it possible to do away with the subwoofer unit in the case of a medium size room. This setup will also give a better bass coverage across the room than a single dedicated subwoofer unit. But if you will be doing away with the subwoofer, remember to set your surround processor to route all bass to the tower speakers.

Most mid-range to high-end tower speaker designs use multiple 8-inch woofers; these have the surface area of a single larger subwoofer but enjoy the lower-mass and acceleration associated with woofers, for a deeper, fuller, and more accurate bass response.

Some towers come with a vented port to further enhance the bass response of the speaker while some high performance floor standing speakers come with build-in powered subwoofers; the latter are known as powered tower speakers. These home theater speakers offer better bass coverage across the room and the elimination of the separate subwoofer unit even in larger rooms, thus reducing the speaker clutter. able to better handle the rest of the sound, thus producing clearer sound with less distortion while supporting a wider dynamic range.

In a restricted room space environment, bookshelf speakers or small satellites/subwoofer speaker system represent possible alternatives. In particular, well positioned bookshelf speakers can produce really good sound and generally have sufficient bass for a small room. Even if the bass output is not enough, you can always complement a set of bookshelf speakers with a powered subwoofer unit; this gives you that extra bass during movie watching.

But do not let the term bookshelf mislead you. If you want to enjoy the best sound possible from a set of bookshelf speakers, do not place your bookshelf speakers, or in that case even satellites, on a bookshelf! Acoustic conditions on a bookshelf are far from ideal; instead, use appropriate speaker stands or wall mounts.

Satellite speakers are smaller than bookshelf and depending on their size and bass response, sats home theater speakers may not function independent of the accompanying subwoofer unit. In the case of satellite speakers, the sub will generally have to produce a wider range of frequencies to compensate for the small size of the sats. Well designed sats/sub speaker systems will produce superb sound in a small home theater room, but cheap speaker systems would often show signs of uneven response especially where the bass meets the midrange.

Bookshelf speakers and in particular satellite home theater speakers are best mounted using suitable wall stands. These speaker systems can deliver some relatively big sound from a small package, making them great space-saving home theater speaker options.

Rear-surround and back-surround speakers

The role of surround speakers — both the rear and back surrounds — is to produce the ambient sound such as the effect of an approaching low flying fighter jet or a rushing train. 5.home theater speaker systems use rear surrounds only while 6.and 7.speaker systems use the back surrounds as well.

Surround Speakers

Often when speaking of rear or back surround speakers, many just refer to these as surround speakers without differentiating between the two. in a home theater set-up.

With bookshelf and sats/subwoofer speaker systems, this is often the case. These require a suitable wall bracket or floor stand for the correct speaker placement as further detailed in our speaker placement guide.

But the use of identical speakers along all five to seven sound channels in a home theater speaker setup is not always a realistically achievable option especially when the fronts use full-size tower speakers; room space constraints and budget-issues are often the most common limiting factors.

In dipole speakers, these drivers operate in out-of-phase mode, while in bipole speakers these operate in-phase. These speakers often come with a switch to operate the surround speaker in either dipole or bipole mode as well as in monopole i.e. with the rear driver switched off.

Polk Audio FXI ASurround Speakers shown above; these include a dipole/bipole switch to allow for different speaker placements on either the rear or side walls as detailed below.

Bipolar surrounds are becoming rare these days with the most common choice for surround speakers being between direct-radiating and dipole speakers. important as direct sound from the surround speakers can at times lead to annoying distractions especially with a not-properly balanced home theater speaker setup.

While both dipole and bipole surround speakers offer a more diffused soundfield, yet there is some significant difference between the two. Dipole surround speakers produce a more subtle and better diffused surround than bipolar surrounds while providing greater speaker placement flexibility.

If you place bipole/dipole surround speakers behind your listening position, these should be set to bipole mode for a more distinct, directional sound. When placed on the side, these should be set to dipole mode — firing to the front and rear of the room rather than towards the listening area — to create a more diffused soundfield for a more convincing wraparound effect.

THX recommends the use of dipole/bipole home theater speakers for rear surround (side surrounds positioned towards the rear of the side walls) and conventional direct radiating speakers for the back surrounds placed against the rear wall.

However be aware that the use of dipole/bipole surrounds option is best suited for medium to large home theaters that can accommodate multiple rows of seats. In the case of the small home theater taking just one row of seats, direct-radiating surround speakers will generally sound better.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Word

First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.

Most important, have fun and choose your speaker stands wisely! Good luck!

So, TOP3 of speaker stands

• №1 — SANUS BF31-B1 31″ Speaker Stands for Bookshelf Speakers up to 20 lbs – Black – Set of 2
• №2 — SANUS Adjustable Height Speaker Stand – Extends 28″ to 38″ – Holds Satellite & small Bookshelf Speakers
• №3 — Pa Speaker Stands Pair Pro Adjustable Height with 50 Cable Ties Kit To Secure Cable to stand