Key Points
- Speaker stands are essential for any audio system as they elevate and support speakers while isolating them from surfaces that can distort sound quality.
- The PERLESMITH Universal Speaker Stands are the best overall option, with a sleek design, adjustable height and width, and compatibility with various speaker brands.
- The Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stands are the best budget option, offering sturdiness, versatility, and cable management.
- The Pangea Audio DS400 Speaker Stands are the best heavy-duty option, with fillable support pillars, adjustable spikes, and an all-steel construction.
- The Hola! Music Pair of PA Speaker Stands are the most versatile option, with an adjustable tripod construction and a safety pin and lock mechanism.
Speaker stands are a critical piece of equipment for any audio system. They not only elevate and support your speakers, but they also isolate them from surfaces that can distort sound quality, creating a flawless audio experience. In fact, you can have the best-sounding speakers, but if you overlook this one key aspect of your audio setup, that investment will be counterproductive.
To get optimal sound, you should place the speakers at ear level and away from the walls. It’s worth noting that speaker stands are more than a piece of furniture to offer stability and a solid foundation to your speakers. They reduce vibrations, keep echo and reverb to a minimum, and ensure the proper amount of treble to help bring the best out of your speakers.
So, whether you are an audiophile or a casual listener, you need to pick well-built speaker stands that can elevate your audio experience. To help you make an informed purchase, we’ve put together a list of the best speaker stands on the market today. We’ve also provided you with information about what factors to consider when picking stands for your speakers. After reviewing the options our choices for the best speaker stands today are:
- Best Overall: PERLESMITH Universal Speaker Stands
- Best Budget: Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stand
- Best HeavyDuty: Pangea Audio DS400 Speaker Stands
- Most Versatile: Hola! Music Pair of PA Speaker Stands
- Best for Large Speakers: Monolith 24-inch Speaker Stand
Best Overall Speaker Stands: PERLESMITH Universal Speaker Stands
- Height adjustable from 30.7 inches to 42.5 inches
- Accommodate widths from 5.91 inches to 11.22 inches
- Hold up to 11 pounds
- Allow tilting 0-5° in all directions
- Package includes standard mounting hardware kit
PERLESMITH’S Universal Speaker Stands, our Best Overall speaker stands, work with a wider range of small and satellite speakers. These include Klipsch, Yamaha, Bose, Sony, Harmon Kardon, Samsung, Polk, Vizio, JBL, and others. The stands are designed to accommodate speakers up to 11 pounds and are adjustable with a 30.7-inch to 42.5-inch height range and a 5.91-inch to 11.2-inch width range. The top plate can pan 180 degrees and tilt 0-5 degrees in all directions.
This pair of speaker stands is a perfect addition for home theater, music, and gaming setups. It boasts a sleek, modern design and a solid base. The non-slip pads allow you to place the stands on different types of floors, including carpet, wood, cement, or tile. A large hole of 1.18 x 0.59 inches lets you conceal your wires, keeping them clean and organized. Check out the PERLESMITH Universal Speaker Stands on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They have a built-in cable management channel. | The stands may not fit some speakers evenly, especially those not squared on the edges or the base. |
| They are suitable for any room decor. | |
| The speaker stands are compatible with most speaker brands. | |
| Non-slip pads safely secure stands on different types of floors. |
Best Budget Speaker Stands: Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stands
- Extend from 28 inches to 38 inches
- Hold small speakers up to 3.5 pounds
- Keyhole, L-shaped, and top plate mounting configurations
- Integrated wire channel for easy cable management
- Kit includes all required hardware
The Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stands are our pick for the best budget speaker stands. They are not only sturdy and stylish, but they are also one of the most versatile options available. This modern speaker stand set is adjustable with a 28-inch to 38-inch height range and they can support up to 3.5 pounds. The stands are compatible with a range of small bookshelf and satellite speakers from popular brands, including Bose, Samsung, JBL, Harmon Kardon, Sony, and more.
The stands feature three mounting configurations: keyhole, L-shaped, and top plate. It is constructed of heavy-gauge steel and a wide base to offer better stability and make your speakers sound their best. The set includes spikes to help keep a firm grip on the carpeted surfaces and pads to minimize vibrations.
It has built-in cable management, allowing you to create a visually pleasing and clean environment. It’s easy to assemble and comes with a five-year warranty and expert customer service seven days a week. Check out the Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stands on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cable management ensures a clutter-free setup. | They are not ideal for large speakers. |
| There is an extended warranty of five years | |
| The stands are sturdy and easily adjustable. |
Best Heavy-Duty Speaker Stands: Pangea Audio DS400 Speaker Stands
- 32-inch all-steel construction
- Can hold speakers weighing up to 120 pounds
- Four support piers that can be filled with sand or steel shot for extra stability
- Adjustable bottom spikes to pierce carpets
- Rubberized top pads for speaker isolation
The Pangea Audio DS400 Speaker Stands are our best heavy-duty speaker stands. Each stand has four ultra-strong piers, which you can fill with sand or steel shot for increased stability. The 6 x 8.8-inch top plate can hold speakers weighing up to 120 pounds. With the 1.2-inch thick, 9.75 x 12-inch extra heavy-duty bottom plate, you can be sure your speakers will get the needed support.
The DS400 speakers work great with both small and large bookshelf speakers, Hi-Fi speaker systems, and compact speakers. The adjustable spikes at the base of each speaker stand help create a stable base when placing the stands on a carpeted floor. For better sound quality, this model comes with four isolation pads. It boasts an all-steel design with three height options, including 24 inches, 28 inches, and 32 inches. Check out the Pangea Audio DS400 Speaker Stands on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The stands have fillable support pillars. | They are not adjustable. |
| You can get them in three height options. | These stands are a bit complex to install. |
| They have a sturdy, all-steel construction. |
Most Versatile Speaker Stands: Hola! Music Pair of PA Speaker Stands
- Adjustable tripod height from 4-6 feet
- Maximum load of 100 pounds
- Strong, steel tube construction 1.375-inch in diameter
- Reinforced leg housing
- Leg locking mechanism with non-slip feet
Hola! Music Pair of PA Speaker Stands is our top choice for most versatile speaker stands. If you are a DJ, public speaker, or musician looking for a robust and stable speaker stand, this is a great choice. The 4-6 feet adjustable tripod allows you to set up your speakers at the best height. Then, there is the heavy-duty reinforced leg housing with non-slip feet, which increases stability in any environment.
This pair of stands can hold speakers up to 100 lbs. It has a safety pin and lock mechanism to keep your speakers safely secured in place. You can place the speaker directly on the stand with the 1.375-inch diameter speaker socket. Check out the Hola! Music Pair of PA Speaker Stands on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The stands have a tripod construction with non-slip feet for stability and traction. | They are not suitable for giant speakers. |
| They are easy to set up. | The upper shaft diameter may not work with all speaker models. |
| The height is adjustable from 4-6 feet. | |
Best Speaker Stand for Large Speakers: Monolith 24-inch Speaker Stand
- Comes in singles, not pairs
- Supports up to 75 pounds
- Four support piers can be filled with sand or steel shot for stability
- Large top plate of 8.5 x 6 inches
- Base is 12 x 10 inches
The Monolith 24-inch Speaker Stand is our best speaker stand for large speakers. Not only does it feature a sturdy and stylish construction, but it also has a large top plate of 8.5 x 6 inches. The base is 12 x 10 inches, which is wider than most speaker stands in its class. It also comes with adjustable spikes. These spikes make it easy for the stand to pierce through the carpeted floor and also reduce vibrations and resonance, giving you more refined sound quality.
The four rectangular, fillable support piers guarantee increased stability. Unlike many speaker stands, this model comes as a single stand. It has a weight capacity of 75 pounds. However, it lacks cable management capabilities, which may be a drawback to many. Check out the Monolith 24-inch Speaker Stand on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The stand is very solid and sturdy with fillable support piers. | It lacks a cable management feature. |
| It is easy to assemble. | |
| The stand comes with a lifetime warranty. | |
| It can accommodate many different arrangements. |
How to Pick the Best Speaker Stands
If you’re looking to buy a speaker stand, here are some factors to consider.
- Stability
- Height
- Weight
- Aesthetics
- Construction Material
- Cable management
Let’s take a look at each of these criteria in-depth.
Stability
It’s important to factor in the stability of your preferred speaker stand. This can easily be ascertained by looking at the stand structure construction. Basically, its weight and the dimensions of its base. Remember, the heavier the stand and the wider its base, the more stable it will be. This explains why well-constructed steel stands with high weight capacities and heavier bases tend to be sturdier than their wooden and acrylic counterparts.
For additional stability, some stands have fillable support piers, as well as rubber feet, making them suitable for hard floors. Others come with adjustable spikes ideal for carpeted floors. Those intended for wooden flooring will have disks beneath the spikes. So, invest in a speaker stand with a heavier and wider base and ensure its feet are appropriate for your home flooring.
Lastly, pay attention to the stand’s top plate, as its size will dramatically affect the stability of your speaker. The top plate should be marginally smaller than your speaker base dimensions. If it’s too small, you’ll have stability issues.
Height
For the best sound quality, your speaker’s tweeter should be positioned around the ear level when seated. So, speaker stands that can raise your speakers to this level — which is roughly 37 inches above the floor — would make a great choice. To determine the stand height, take the distance between the bottom of your speaker and the tweeter minus the distance between the floor and your ear when seated. Use the measurements to find a stand that can position your speakers at the optimal listening height.
Weight
You want to choose speaker stands that can safely support the weight of your speakers without wobbling or tipping over. So, before making a purchase, check the stand’s weight capacity and compare it to your speaker’s weight, taking into account other accessories that may be attached to your speakers when set up.
Aesthetics
To many, aesthetics is less of a concern, but it does play a big part in your auditory experience. Besides allowing your speakers to perform their best, a good stand will add a touch of elegance to your space. So, try to find one that will give your home theater set up an elegant and high-quality look. It should blend perfectly with your room’s layout and decor.
Construction Material
Speaker stands are typically made of either wood or steel. While each material has its merits, you’re at liberty to pick the one you need. However, if you’re looking for something more sturdy and durable, go for a well-built steel stand. If you want a more affordable stand that will complement any decor, then invest in a wooden stand. Whatever your choice of material, make sure the stand is capable of providing a stable foundation for your speakers.
Cable Management
Not all speaker stands have a cable management option. However, find a stand with built-in cable management if you want to keep wires tangle-free and neatly tucked away. Ensure the cable management channel is big enough to accommodate the size of your speaker cables.
Price
How much are you planning to spend on a speaker stand? It’s important to have a budget, but if you want to have a high-quality stand, look beyond the price tag. As we noted above, you want a good stand that will not only complement your aesthetics, but also enhance your listening experience. Therefore, make sure to read reviews and compare features to ensure you get the best value.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Speaker Stands
You probably are wondering if speaker stands are worth it. The truth is, they do make a difference when it comes to your listening experience.
Ideally, the sound from your speakers should be directed to you. Also, you are supposed to hear it as intended by the speaker’s designer and the artists. However, the science of sound dictates otherwise. When listening to music or any sounds from your speakers, you’ll not only hear the sound that’s coming directly from the speakers, but also other sounds reflected from the walls and other surrounding surfaces.
Adding a speaker stand to your audio system is a great way to manage vibrations and reduce sound reflections, or echo. By extension, it will improve the sound quality of your speakers. Stands will get those speakers off the floor and away from the walls and position them at the correct height. As a result, the sound waves from your speakers will travel unhindered and directly to your ears.
There are many different types of speaker stands out there. However, models with compartments you can fill with shot or sand can help you get the most out of your speakers. This is because the added mass not only makes them more stable, but it also helps manage vibrations better.
Using the Best Speaker Stands: What It’s Like
If you take your speakers off the table, floor, or shelf and place them on well-positioned stands, they will sound significantly better. The stands will isolate your speakers from the surfaces that distort and reflect, allowing for a cleaner and clearer sound. These podiums will also help achieve the optimal listening height (ear-level placement) required to mitigate distortion.
So, if you want to enhance your overall listening experience, invest in good speaker stands. This often-overlooked equipment will improve your audio positioning and reduce interference. It will also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your room.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Soonios Pro/Shutterstock.com.
