Question about speaker stands

[zicmubleu]

I just read through crackinhedz speakers 101 thread and didn't see this specific topic covered, why are speakers often mounted on stands? Beyond delivering the sound at a more ear height level is there some tonal improvement having the speakers away from the wall or sitting on top of a shelf? Do the stands themselves provide a vibration insulation effect, trying to reduce sympatic vibrations of whatever they are resting on?

Also I saw pictures of some sub-woofer cabinets that are down pointing design. Is this an enhancement for that type of speaker as well? This would seem to imply reflecting the sound off the floor for the sub-woofer is desirable but getting reflections off a wall from the other speakers is not good.

[JJ]

Well...from an aesthetic standpoint, you can't really put them on the ground, eh?

Speakers are supposed to be away from walls anyway to reduce boomyness and refine bass (1'-0" is recommended, I'm using only 0'-8") - you can shelf them as well.

Vibration isolation would all depend on the stand as well, especifically its footings, one would think. Might need someone with more expertise on bookshelves here.

[aramis109]

Depends on the stand. My Bellos came with spikes and feet for hardwood. Not only do they (in my opinion) look nice, but they help with that as well. Additionally of course, wall mounting or on a shelf aren't always possible or desireable.

As far as subwoofers, check out the Auralex Gramma and Subdude. While I don't own one they supposedly both do well exactly what you are mentioning- decoupling the sub from the floor.

[SRTCraig]

Speaker stands make a huge difference to the sound of a speaker.

When i was using my centers (bookshelves) as mains i had some. You want really solid ones that are filled with iron sand and or leadshot. If you measure your speaker then add the stand to get them close to ear height you cant go wrong.

What do they add ; better definition across the board, tighter bass, pretty much everything. I was shocked with the improvement although i only had them on chairs while i shopped around

[zicmubleu]

I am a bit surprised at the decoupling mentioned and the 'pallet' mounts for the subwoofers. I was thinking they, those ultra-expensive cabinets that big-daddy linked to, were trying to use the floor coupling. When you say decoupling I would think it would be more effective to have the sub-woofer cones aimed horizontal rather than downward; the downward pointing design, wish I remember the thread, would seem to cause all the sound to be bounced off the floor which I can see aiding dispersion but increasing coupling.

So a good HT configuration would have all the surround speakers pulled away from the wall by at least 12" and best mounted on heavy stands. Maybe I will cheat and hang them from springs! I am from the days when a woofer was a solenoid with a suction cup stuck to the wall. Hi-fi - one speaker does it all. Thanks again for the insights.

[Steve]

As far as speaker stands go, the main purpose is simply to raise your speakers to the proper height-ear level. As for moving your speakers away from the wall, this is mainly an issue that concerns whether your speaker is front ported or rear ported. If the speaker is front ported, it won't make any difference. That's why so many of this type are made with provisions for wall mounting. If the speaker is rear ported, it should be a few inches from the wall.

As for your subwoofer questions, the following quote is taken from Big Daddy's post in the subwoofer forum.

Down Firing: This type of subwoofer has the woofer installed in the bottom so that it fires toward the floor. Down-Firing subwoofers look like a piece of furniture (do not need a grill) and may be more efficient. It is important that these types of subwoofers are not placed in a corner too close to the walls as they may sound boomy.

Front Firing: This type of subwoofer has the woofer installed on the side and fires its output signal parallel to the floor. Front-Firing subwoofers need a grill to cover the woofer and look more like a speaker.

Performance-wise there isn't much difference between the two types, but there may or may not be placement issues to consider, depending on all the variables involved.

[joegs300]

Man, they just look good. End of story.