speaker stand advice please

[SpencerC]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on some speaker stands for Polk Monitor 30's. These will be used for my rear speakers. I am a newbie and not looking to spend a ton of money. I have read about some that recommend to fill with sand bags for resonance dampening. Is this really necessary? Thanks for the advice in advance.

[Face]

http://www.standsandmounts.com/

[xandra]

Spence -
I may be picky but... the paltry, ugly, overpriced and absurdly unstable options caused me to buy tower speakers.

The sand is supposed to make the speakers more stable by shifting weight to the base, this is a significant improvement over top-heavy setup. HOWEVER:

... I can tell you as an ex-woodworker that I would NEVER have designed anything with a single or double support column. for true stability you need 3 points of support, and these need be very near the outer dimensions of item supported at top (in these case speakers).

If your speakers are not in a position that's likely upset, you might be able to get away with sand-weighting. But given the price of semi-stable speaker stands, you'd probably be much better off finding an amateur woodworker to make you some custom stands.

Another option: check out cheaper furniture that's NOT described as "speaker stands" - the only catch: most available likely to have square rather than rectangular tops...

Just my not so humble opinion/rant.

I really wish Polk (since they have a good design sense anyway) would make speaker stands...

[SpencerC]

ok, thanks for the advice. So it sounds like all I really need to look for is something that is visually pleasing and stable.

[Rivrrat]

and these need be very near the outer dimensions of item supported at top (in these case speakers).

One of my projects I plan on doing this summer is to fire up the shop and build some surround stands, I plan on building my base wider than the outside dimensions of my surround speaks weighted with lead.

I have a design in mind based on a clock I designed. If it works, I'll post pics when I'm done.

I guess my point is make sure the base is wide and heavy enough that the stands aren't tippy.

Oh, and I watched a freind of mine freak when his surround got knocked off it's stand during a party. Make sure it'll be safe from hips and elbows.

[Jonesy]

The purpose of the sand is mostly for dampening vibrations and isolation in an effort to provide better speaker performance. Stability is a welcome by-product. I've made several pairs of stands for myself and other people. The bonus is you get to choose your materials and match the stand to the speaker. You also get to customize the height to your situation. Tweeters should be as close to ear level as possible so if you have a lower or higher than normal seating position you can account for that in your design. Most of my stands have come in under $50, some well under. There are several threads here dealing with this topic. Do a search. Good luck.

[4real*leb]

Spence -
I may be picky but... the paltry, ugly, overpriced and absurdly unstable options caused me to buy tower speakers.

The sand is supposed to make the speakers more stable by shifting weight to the base, this is a significant improvement over top-heavy setup. HOWEVER:

... I can tell you as an ex-woodworker that I would NEVER have designed anything with a single or double support column. for true stability you need 3 points of support, and these need be very near the outer dimensions of item supported at top (in these case speakers).

If your speakers are not in a position that's likely upset, you might be able to get away with sand-weighting. But given the price of semi-stable speaker stands, you'd probably be much better off finding an amateur woodworker to make you some custom stands.

Another option: check out cheaper furniture that's NOT described as "speaker stands" - the only catch: most available likely to have square rather than rectangular tops...

Just my not so humble opinion/rant.

I really wish Polk (since they have a good design sense anyway) would make speaker stands...
Um, Polk Audio does have speaker stands...
http://www.thebrick.com/Application/Cart/BuyRoom.asp?TraderID=34DC92B9-3DBD-438F-AA0B-BD0F699D5896&Code=SA2&ProductID=2CFC8BA3-69B0-48D2-8529-58349B93FE41&SellOrderId=7844F6FA-2917-4D57-B500-D0FDCE332082&CategoryID=E9E19454-249F-40C9-8A1D-E4F7A796CF6D&SiteCode=EN&CategoryTracking=A8C3AA0A%2DF908%2D4896%2DB2CD%2D8 CAFA06244AE%2C83075333%2D1905%2D44A9%2DB56E%2D0BF3 3EB643D9%2C15F85214%2D42D7%2D479E%2D870C%2DA317825 03B62%2CE9E19454%2D249F%2D40C9%2D8A1D%2DE4F7A796CF 6D

I own those and have to say for the price I was extremely dissapointed. You could flick the top pole and it would snap from the base. The worst part is that once it snaps it will be an arm and a leg to get it back.

EDIT: All of polks stands... http://shop.polkaudio.com/stands.php

[psomers]

Spence. I picked up these from EBAY. (not affiliated)
They a re well made, and have a nice finish for the price. They were the only ones the wife approved of.
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-up-to-36-Solid-Oak-Speaker-Stands-by-G-Wiz_W0QQitemZ150209631934QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 50209631934