Need Recommendations for Speaker Stands

[camerakid]

Since we are moving to our new (bigger) house in Valley Center, I'm going to have my OWN listening room (one that does not have all my dad's computer crap shoved in to it), and my system will be more than speakers with a wooden board across them with my turntable and receiver on top.

It will instead consist of a desk with my TT, amp and second amp for my second pair of speakers on it, and my speakers will be in the best listening position, on stands.

One problem though... since I'm 15, money is kinda scarce for me. I can't really buy some Sanus stands for $40. I've been thinking a few cinder blocks stacked up will do, since they are only $1.15(!?) each for the standard 8in by 8in by 16in blocks at Lowes.

But, if there's any deals out there that I'm missing or there is a better, cheaper DIY plan, please say so.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, my speakers are DB Pus 440's, and they weigh 12lbs, 15in by 9 1/2in by 9in (height by width by depth).

 

[darkblue94]

Don't worry too much about buying stands just yet, try experimenting with boxes,chairs, cinder blocks etc. Try to find the best height and placement for your situation and then maybe look at making a pair of stands yourself. Check out the DIY forum, the Listening Space forum etc for fine examples. That being said a good quality pair of stands can make a huge difference in the ultimate performance of your speakers. Check out thrift shops, second hand stores etc, I've found some Sanus stands rather inexpensive that way although I had to by two sets of carpet spikes for them. Look at the few remaining real stereo salons in San Diego, they usually have a supply of pre-owned equipment at reasonable prices but first determine just exactly what you need.

 

[xero-D-hero]

Well,DIY wont always be the cheapest route either.

Case in point: I currently have a DIY speaker stand project in progress,still mostly just buying the pieces to build them so far,and already I'm 100% certain I could've just bought some used speaker stands and saved money. So yeah hindsight is indeed 20/20.

Unless one already has access to a lotta scrap materials for next to nothing a project like this can suffer from the "snowball effect"...

Ideallly hit some yard sales or such and be on the lookout for some old bar stools or something similar to that.

Repurposing something like those will often offer the best bang for the buck.

JM2¢

Bret P.

 

[JarredCrowe]

Cinder blocks have been working fine for me for about a year now. For the price they're really hard to beat. Decent speaker stands seem harder to come by second hand than you'd think in my area.

 

[xero-D-hero]

Was in Wally world today walking thru the store and I saw that they had some made in Malaysia wood barstools that could easily work as speakers stands,two different heights too,the short ones (24" H) were like $15 apiece IIRC,and the best part is the top (seat) was perfectly flat unlike many wood bar stools that have a concave seat.

Anyhow I spent more than that (2x $15 = $30) just on raw materials for my DIY PVC speaker stands I'm making and I havent even bought/made the bases & tops yet.

Honestly I'm still thinking about going back and grabbing a couple of those.

Food for thought.

Bret P.

 

[GD70]

Start cheap, go with the cinder blocks for now. You can even get a can of Krylon satin black spray paint and paint them black. Just make sure you have something between the speakers and blocks to protect the finish. I often get wash cloths or small dish towels (dark color) from the grocery store to put under my speakers to protect them.
As suggested, experiment with height and room placement before you buy anything.

Glenn

 

[camerakid]

Okay, here's a little update: I was going through the garage earlier today and I found a 24" barstool! We have another one one in storage, and they are the same height (I hope...) just the paint is finished. BUT, if they are not the same height, then I might have to pile some books up on one to make it taller, but of course my dad (who likes everything neat-looking and nice), didn't really like the idea of the piled-up books. He's okay with the barstool idea, but if they're not the same height, then I might have to find some pieces of wood the right size for the top of the stool.

But, I might be able to get away with the book trick for a while, so I should be okay until the day he finds out. One reason I really want to use the stools is because then I can save up for some acoustic panels, which I will need for the room. It's a medium sized room, and I did the clapping test, and there is so much reverb it's disturbing, for a medium sized room. Maybe it's because it has a bunch of reflective Marilyn Monroe posters inside... anyways, I can even hang up the acoustic panels with liquid nails, because it's my room and I can repaint it any time.

Anyways, thanks to xero-D-hero for the barstool idea, GD70 for reminding me to experiment, and to darkblue94 for recommending places to buy them

 

[Bratwurst7s]

The nice thing about using stools/bar stools for improvised speaker stands is that while they may be far from optimal they are inexpensive and later when you don't need them as speaker stands you still have a pair of useful stools.

I went the Ikea stool route for my home theatre speakers...
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/improvised-inexpensive-speaker-stands.693666/

Happy for you about getting more room. Now you can really start getting things optimized. Please post about your results as you move forward.

Cheers,
James