Speaker Stands 101: Let There Be Sound!

What Is a Speaker Stand?

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As the name suggests, this accessory is designed to hold a loudspeaker. Available in a selection of different types and models, these stands can be placed anywhere you want, making them one of the handiest and easiest to use pieces of music gear. Whether performing on stage or just practising, having your speakers properly placed will help you obtain the needed sound, one that’s clear and vibration-free!

Do Speakers Need to Be On Stands?

Even though in the past people didn’t pay that much attention to this item, practice has shown that owning speaker stands can improve sound quality. Having a quality stand is closely related to having a sturdy and stable base, and isolation in order to prevent any vibrations. Properly chosen and positioned stands won’t only improve the sound, but they will also deliver clearer notes. They can also enhance the listening experience and improve the bass response. But in order to improve your overall experience, you should take into account some other important things.

The Different Types

Studio Monitor Stand

Generally speaking, these speaker stands are divided into two categories: floor and desk stands.

Floor stands are meant to stand on the floor, and they are perfect for those who want to have their speakers placed away from the monitor. They are also great if you don’t have that much free desk space, and maybe for the better. Practice shows that those who have their speakers placed on the desk can feel the sound vibrations, which isn’t pleasant at all.

Desk stands, on the other hand, are the perfect choice for those who don’t mind having the speakers close to them. While the manufacturers themselves integrate some kinds of insulating pads on the speakers for this reason, some people also add an additional layer of insulation by placing insulating pads on the stand itself.

PA Speaker Stand

PA stands for speaker accessories are designed to make loudspeaker positioning easy. They are perfect for positioning loudspeakers at a certain height for obtaining optimal sound projection during any kind of live performance.

These height-adjustable stands almost always come with a collapsible tripod base for optimal sound projection.

Wall/Ceiling Brackets

Mounting speakers on walls is also an option, but for this, you will need wall and ceiling brackets. Just keep in mind that not all speakers are designed for this, so it is of vital importance to double-check everything before making the final purchase.

Height Placement

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The speaker height placement is closely related to the stand’s height, so considering both of these things is paramount in order to obtain the wanted sound. When placing speakers in the studio, it’s best for them to be at ear height, and for live shows, you should place them above the crowd, so that everyone can hear loud and clearly. For better results, you can pick a height-adjustable stand, as this allows you to adjust it the way you need it.

Weight Consideration

Getting everything you need from your stands won’t be possible if you don’t consider the amount of weight they can carry. Usually, this is stated under each stand and speaker pole. Pay close attention to this, because different stand materials can carry different weights. In fact, the maximum weight that a speaker stand can take is closely related to the material and the thickness.

When in the search for the right stand, you should also take into account its use. If you plan on using it constantly, make sure to invest in durability and quality. The initial investment might be higher for sure, however, it will pay off in the long run, since you won’t have to deal with frequent malfunctions.

Lastly, to improve their quality and durability, you should also invest in special speaker stand bags to give them extra protection.

Cable Management

Keeping your speaker setup neat and tidy is possible only if the stands come with a cable management option. If you don’t like the idea of seeing exposed cables, you should look for a stand that offers hidden cable channels. But given the fact that not all cables are of the same size and thickness, you should pay careful attention to whether your cables will fit through the channels of the chosen stand.

Base

Regarding the stand’s base, you should look for one that is wider and heavier. This is essential so that the base can stand and carry all the weight without being wobbly and unstable. Obviously, the wider and heavier the base, the more stable the stand will be. Generally speaking, stands come with two base options: rubber pads and spikes.
Rubber pads are extremely stable, but only when used on solid floors. Spikes, on the other hand, should be used on carpet for better stability.