Bookshelf speaker stands are essential for getting the best sound out of your music or home theatre system. Whether you’re looking for a budget option or something more luxurious, there are plenty of options on the market. With the right speaker stands, you can get the most out of your audio setup.
The best budget bookshelf speaker stands are designed to provide stability, reduce resonance, and improve the sound quality of your speakers. Not only that, but they come in various styles and finishes to match your home décor. With the right set of bookshelf speaker stands, you can easily improve the sound of your audio setup without breaking the bank.
RELATED: The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500! (2022)
What are bookshelf speaker stands?
Bookshelf speaker stands are a set of metallic or wooden supports that come in pairs and are used to hold speakers. They are designed to be placed on the side of a rack or console, usually near a wall, for optimal sound quality.
Unlike floor-standing speakers, which intrinsically support the drivers and put them at the right height, bookshelf speakers generally need a stand to obtain the same result. As a result, they’ll be on the same level as your ears and create a more immersive sound experience. Additionally, bookshelf speaker stands should help to reduce sound vibrations, resulting in a cleaner, crisper sound.
The best stands are typically made with metal, and you should ensure the ones you choose are designed to support the weight of your speakers. Once you find a pair, they are typically easy to set up, and some can be filled with a material like sand for added stability and vibration dampening.
Benefits of bookshelf speaker stands
Better sound quality – Bookshelf speaker stands help you get the best sound quality for your music system. They are designed to provide optimal sound quality by placing the speaker drivers in line with your ears.
Stable base – When you place your speakers on sturdy bookshelf speaker stands which are on even flooring, you can be sure that they won’t move around or fall over. This is due to the design of the stands being rated to hold the weight of the speakers.
Less vibration – Bookshelf speaker stands help to reduce sound vibrations, resulting in a cleaner, crisper sound. If a speaker is sitting on a resonant surface, it will naturally vibrate with sound. This vibration can carry through the surface and into the wall and floor, which can lead to unwanted sound distortion.
Features to consider when buying bookshelf speaker stands
Weight capacity – The weight capacity of the stands will depend on the material. Typically, a speaker stand can hold up to 40 lbs, but this can vary. Make sure to check the weight capacity of the stands before buying them.
Size/Height – The size of the stands should be appropriate for the size of your speakers. Ideally, you want the stands to be deep and wide enough to support your particular speakers but not be too big or take up too much space.
You’ll want to consider the height of the speakers as well, as that will determine the height of the stand you need. Usually, you want a stand that will place the tweeter at ear height while sitting at your listening position.
Material – Ideally, you want a material that is sturdy and can support the weight of the speakers without sagging or bending. Metal is the most sturdy and works the best, but there are satisfactory wood stands.
Sound vibrations – If you’re planning on putting your speakers next to a wall, you’ll want to consider how the sound vibrations will impact the wall. Certain stands will absorb sound vibrations better than others.
The Best Budget Bookshelf Speaker Stands
The Absolute Best Budget Stand: Pangea Audio DS200 All Steel Heavy Duty Floor Bookshelf Speaker Stands ($199)
The Pangea Audio DS200 is an exemplary steel speaker stand that serves two purposes: it places the speaker drivers at an optimal acoustic height and also offers a secure and unwavering base for the speaker so it can generate an excellent low-end response.
It has very strong support piers that create a dependable and rigid foundation for small monitors and other shelf-type speakers. As is usual, Pangea Audio delivers an affordable product with outstanding performance. To experience a stand comparable to the DS200 in terms of quality and features that boost performance, you would probably need to invest a lot more money.
The support piers can be filled with sand or steel shot for added dampening. They also have built-in cable management holes, so you can route speaker cables through the stand and keep them out of the way. These stands support speakers up to 100 lbs. and come in five different sizes so you can put your speakers at the proper height.
You also get rubber pads to keep your speakers from slipping off the top and adjustable carpet spikes to isolate the stand and speakers from the floor.
BUY: AMAZON
A More Affordable Metal Option: Monolith 24 Inch Speaker Stand ($55 Each)
This affordable speaker stand is also made from sturdy steel and can hold speakers weighing up to 75 lbs each. They come in a satin black finish that’s easy to clean and resists scratches.
Like the Pangea stands, the support piers of the Monolith 24 Inch Speaker Stand can be filled with sand or steel shot for vibration dampening, and they also have adjustable spikes to isolate the stand from the floor.
For a little more cash, you can also buy this stand in 28-inch or 32-inch heights. Remember, they are sold in single quantities, so you must purchase two for a complete pair.
BUY: AMAZON
Best Option Under $100: Sanus BF24B 24 Inch Speaker Stands ($65)
The SANUS Basic Series BF24 Speaker Stands are a set of lightweight speaker stands designed to accommodate smaller bookshelf speakers that weigh up to twenty pounds. The dense energy-absorbing MDF pillars provide support for the 6.5-inch by 6.5-inch top plate, which has rubber speaker isolation pads to cut distortion.
These stands use non-adjustable plastic push-in carpet spikes for stability and added isolation. These speakers also have a built-in cable-hiding system that keeps cords neatly tucked away so that the stands look neat and presentable.
While we prefer metal stands for their superior vibration dampening and stability, if you have smaller bookshelf speakers and don’t have much cash to spend, these stands will at least put your speakers at the proper listening height. They will also provide some isolation from the floor, thus improving your system’s sound.
BUY: AMAZON
How to set up speaker stands
Before you set up your bookshelf speaker stands, consider where you’ll place your speakers. You’ll want to place your speakers near the middle of a wall for optimal sound. Place the stands with speakers in front of the wall and give them the spacing that provides the best sound according to your taste.
Once you find the optimum spot, it may help to mark the floor with tape so you can remember where they need to be if someone inadvertently moves them.
Two vital tips for getting the best sound from your bookshelf speakers
Ensure the stands are on an even surface. If the surface is uneven, the stands will most likely be wobbly. At that point, they could vibrate and distort the sound, which is not ideal. This can also lead to speakers falling off the stand.
Place the tweeters at ear level. Ideally, you want the tweeter on your speakers to be at ear level. This usually is the best way to get the best sound quality. Therefore, ensure the stand you purchase has the proper height to achieve this.
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