speaker stand advice please

SpencerC
SpencerC Posts: 4
edited March 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
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.
Post edited by SpencerC on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2008
    http://www.standsandmounts.com/
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • xandra
    xandra Posts: 291
    edited March 2008
    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...
    LR Setup:
    Polk RTi10's, RTi6's, CSiA6 (5 ch setup)
    Onkyo 705 & Denon 3808ci Receiver, Onk 875
    Parasound 2250 Amp
    Sony 26" KDL series Bravia LCD
    Panny DMR-EH75 Recorder
    Panny DVD-F87 (5 disk DVD player)
    NAD T585 (DVD/SACD)
    Yamaha DVD-C961 (5 disk SACD/DVD)
    SciAnt Explorer 8500HD Cable Box
    Orig & 5Gen iPods, , Wii
    Plans/Fantasies:
    • 400 disk player that handles ALL formats, sounds as good as NAD with Panasonic interface & compatability.
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  • SpencerC
    SpencerC Posts: 4
    edited March 2008
    ok, thanks for the advice. So it sounds like all I really need to look for is something that is visually pleasing and stable.
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  • Rivrrat
    Rivrrat Posts: 2,101
    edited March 2008
    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.
    My equipment sig felt inadequate and deleted itself.
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  • Jonesy
    Jonesy Posts: 189
    edited March 2008
    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.
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  • 4real*leb
    4real*leb Posts: 1
    edited March 2008
    xandra wrote: »
    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%2D8CAFA06244AE%2C83075333%2D1905%2D44A9%2DB56E%2D0BF33EB643D9%2C15F85214%2D42D7%2D479E%2D870C%2DA31782503B62%2CE9E19454%2D249F%2D40C9%2D8A1D%2DE4F7A796CF6D

    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
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  • psomers
    psomers Posts: 37
    edited March 2008
    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=item150209631934
    Onkyo 805
    (3) Outlaw Audio 2200 Monoblocks
    Fronts: Polk RTi10's
    Center Polk CSi5
    Surrounds Polk FXi3's
    Rears Polk FXi30's
    Sub Polk PSW125
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