Bookshelf Speaker Stands Necessary?

[jgduck]

Curious what you guys think about whether or not my set up would benefit from some short speaker stands. I have Kef Q350’s sitting on a very sturdy credenza. I also have a small space so very little/no room for tall stands on the side of the credenza. Curious if short desktop stands would enhance the sound or should I keep it as is? I do realize the speakers being close to the wall isn’t ideal but apartment living is what it is

 

[mbz]

Drivers, especially tweeters should be at ear hight when seated in normal listening position.
Stands help achieve this, a desk works too.

 

[hopeless]

Would help a lot. 24" would likely work with standard seating. Right now, just moving them to the front of the credenza would help some, but get the stands.

 

[jayvis]

As was already mentioned, you want the speakers' tweeters to be at ear level at your main listening position. If they're already very close to that level, I'd suggest using something like the IsoAcoustics ISO-PUCK minis under your speakers. They only raise the speakers less than an inch and helps isolate them from your credenza and other components, namely your turntable. They come in a set of 8, are affordable, and are effective.

 

[jgduck]

Drivers, especially tweeters should be at ear hight when seated in normal listening position.
Stands help achieve this, a desk works too.

Makes sense. They are at ear level while seated currently. Center of tweeter is 36 inches off the floor. Might just Amazon a pair of desktop stands and see if I notice anything. Can always return

 

[jgduck]

As was already mentioned, you want the speakers' tweeters to be at ear level at your main listening position. If they're already very close to that level, I'd suggest using something like the IsoAcoustics ISO-PUCK minis under your speakers. They only raise the speakers less than an inch and helps isolate them from your credenza and other components, namely your turntable. They come in a set of 8, are affordable, and are effective.

Makes sense. They’re at perfect ear level now but I’ll look in that ISO-PUCK. Love my setup but occasionally I get curious and try to make tweaks. Kind of a fun lab experiment haha.

 

[jayvis]

Would help a lot. 24" would likely work with standard seating. Right now, just moving them to the front of the credenza would help some, but get the stands.

Hey hopeless, do you sit on a bean bag when you listen?

 

[jgduck]

As was already mentioned, you want the speakers' tweeters to be at ear level at your main listening position. If they're already very close to that level, I'd suggest using something like the IsoAcoustics ISO-PUCK minis under your speakers. They only raise the speakers less than an inch and helps isolate them from your credenza and other components, namely your turntable. They come in a set of 8, are affordable, and are effective.

Dude those iso puck minis look sweet too. Ordering a set now!

 

[hopeless]

Hey hopeless, do you sit on a bean bag when you listen?

Haven't had one of those since I was a kid. Then 16" might work.

 

[DeadRock]

I wanted to get my Totems up off the media unit...these IsoACOUSTICS stands did exactly what I wanted...

 

[jgduck]

I wanted to get my Totems up off the media unit...these IsoACOUSTICS stands did exactly what I wanted...

View attachment 2971018View attachment 2971014

Great looking setup my man!

 

[DeadRock]

Great looking setup my man!

Thanks dude!

 

[crazy-in-az]

Also, it's generally a good idea to keep speakers as far away from a turntable as reasonably possible. It healps cut back on acoustic feedback.

 

[rothwellaudio]

In my opinion stands won't help. However, isolating the speakers from the surface they're sitting on will help. Something like these will reduce the tendency of the credenza to vibrate.

Adam Hall PAD ECO Monitor Isolation Pads [Large] 1 Pair

Buy from Scan - Adam Hall PAD ECO Monitor Isolation Pads (SPADECO2) from Speaker Stands & Isolators

www.scan.co.uk

 

[Semanon]

I prefer rear-ported speakers when they are further away from the wall. It will reduce your bass, but the sound will be better balanced. Probably means something custom, but it will result in better sound. Beyond that as long as they are at war height, @rothwellaudio has a great suggestion.

 

[tubelectron]

Curious what you guys think about whether or not my set up would benefit from some short speaker stands. I have Kef Q350’s sitting on a very sturdy credenza. I also have a small space so very little/no room for tall stands on the side of the credenza. Curious if short desktop stands would enhance the sound or should I keep it as is? I do realize the speakers being close to the wall isn’t ideal but apartment living is what it is

View attachment 2970970

Maybe you could tilt them back a little instead of putting them on stand first - depending on your listening position, of course.

Below my 222L bookshelf and 375L monitors are put on slanted riser base with an angle of 8° :



I invent nothing here and took the idea from my Klipsch Heresy I... However, with a shim of some sort, you could make an easy test to hear if it improves the listening, and determine the correct angle. For mine, it is 8°, for which I have the plane of time origins in coincidence with the listening position.

But since your little KEF seems to be a Wide-Band or a Coaxial speaker, this slanting test could be inconclusive... Then the idea of @rothwellaudio is interesting, since it will isolate your speaker from your turntable, since they share the same stand surface, which could cause transmission of vibrations :

In my opinion stands won't help. However, isolating the speakers from the surface they're sitting on will help. Something like these will reduce the tendency of the credenza to vibrate.

Adam Hall PAD ECO Monitor Isolation Pads [Large] 1 Pair

Buy from Scan - Adam Hall PAD ECO Monitor Isolation Pads (SPADECO2) from Speaker Stands & Isolators

www.scan.co.uk

T

 

[rothwellaudio]

I should have mentioned that the main problem with your current setup is that vibrations from the speakers will be directly coupled through the wooden top they're sitting on to the turntable. Breaking that path of vibration transmission is more important that raising the height of the speakers. Something soft/compliant will do that whereas something rigid won't.
Vibrapods, or similar, would be another option.

The Vibrapod Company

www.vibrapod.com

 

[jgduck]

I should have mentioned that the main problem with your current setup is that vibrations from the speakers will be directly coupled through the wooden top they're sitting on to the turntable. Breaking that path of vibration transmission is more important that raising the height of the speakers. Something soft/compliant will do that whereas something rigid won't.
Vibrapods, or similar, would be another option.

The Vibrapod Company

www.vibrapod.com

Thanks for the advice here! My setup was ever evolving but I’m finally content for the most part. Maybe a speaker upgrade down the line. But was curious if them resting on the wood would impact the turntable. I opted for these ISO Acoustic Puck Minis. Super excited to see if they enhance the sound

 

[Powertech]

A point which hasn't been mentioned so far is acoustic coupling. This is where the sound waves emanating from the drivers connect with adjacent surfaces. In general, a loudspeaker should be operated in open space so that there is a space around it ideally of at least 18" (0.5metres). Acoustic coupling with nearby walls or other surfaces will likely alter the bass response curve of a loudspeaker and may also present some 'muddling' of the lower midrange. Most people find that locating loudspeakers away from walls gives a much cleaner sound.

 

[twiiii]

You preferably want your mid range and tweeters centered at your seated listening height. Its up to you how you get them there.