As with all components in your AV system, it is important to research the best speaker stands before you make a purchase. You should consider the following factors: weight rating, construction materials, top plate construction, height, base and feat, and speaker cables management capabilities. These aspects can have a significant impact on the overall look of the stand. If the speaker falls off the stand, it could lead to a broken speaker or other equipment. We have listed the top things to consider when buying speaker stands.
Cable management
You have two choices when it comes to hiding or exposing speaker wire. Hidden cable channels can be offered by both wooden and steel stands. However, you must ensure that the cable can fit through the channels. This is particularly important for small steel stands.
Weight Capacity
Let’s get to the practical stuff. It is essential that the stand can hold more weight than your speaker. While some small speaker stands can hold a few pounds, most flat-top stands can support around twenty pounds. This is more than the weight of most bookshelf speakers. But just because a flat-top stand can hold a 20-pound speaker does not mean it will not tip over when used.
Top Plate
There are three main ways top plates can vary. They may be rubber feet or speaker studs, which you can set your speakers on. The most common option that most people will use is rubber feet. Rubber feet provide a firm grip and protection for your speakers. Speaker studs can cause damage to the speakers’ bottoms and may not grip as well. However, they look cool, and some claim they will increase sound quality by decreasing vibrations. We would rather risk damaging a cabinet’s finish than have rubber feet. To reduce vibrations, you can purchase a stand with solid posts or fill the hollow with sand.
Speaker Size
The last practical aspect of your stand is its ability to hold the speaker. Flat-top stands are those where the speaker sits on the top of the stand as a small table. The dimensions of the top plate, or the surface on which the speaker will rest, determine this. The ideal top-plate dimensions should be slightly smaller than the base dimensions of the speaker but large enough to ensure stability and prevent the speaker from tipping over.
Contrary to common wisdom, the speaker base should not be larger than the top plate. Because excess surface area can affect the listening acoustics, and it also looks funny. This is not what most people want in their homes.
Aesthetics
Let’s not forget about the funny looks. Let’s now move to the last set of requirements. This is the one you will likely need the most help with: aesthetics. It doesn’t matter if it’s sturdy and cheap. But if it looks bad in your space, it may not be a suitable speaker stand. When you finally achieve your home audio goals, you deserve to love the sound and appearance of what you hear. Look for stands that match the decor and speakers in your space.