Do Studio Monitor Stands Affect Sound Quality?

Listen to these audio demos and learn how studio monitor stands can impact sound quality.

Ultimate Support Studio Monitor Stands

On-Stage Studio Monitor Stands

Gator Frameworks Studio Monitor Stands

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[andynonimuss]

Technically the studio monitors should be aimed at the back of your head. This point, at the back of your head, is called the "Stereo Vertex" point. This idea is also recommended by Carl Tatz, Wes Lachot, Rod Gervais, Sonarworks, Arqen, and Adam Audio. This brushes your ears and allows for 4 inches of front, back, and side "head lean". No one's head can remain perfectly still in one exact listening position all day long. I'm using the heavy-duty K&M 26720 height adjustable stands and Pyle sound-dampening risers for my Adam A77X studio monitors.

[rob]

So. Is there any chance you can also comment on what you hear. For example. You have trained ears. You are there. And we have a compressed version from youtube altering it. And played on our. What ever headphone speaker stand not setup. So your opinion would be nice at the end. Please? This video was going ti help me. As i have the Samson. The gator. And was looking at the puck or iso stand. Or a combo of each. They are just expensive. Please assist me. Using klipsch sevens.

[loxpower]

Not sure if it's really related, but I didn't hear much of a difference (if any) with the more "premium" stands, with or without the iso puck or the iso stands, but the difference was definitely obvious with the less expensive stands (listening from my calibrated iLoud Precision MTM). I also appreciated the fact that you tried your best to maintain the height of the speakers when adding the iso pucks or stands. Adding pucks or stands without compensating for the increased height can trick someone to think the sound changed for the better, when it just... changed. I guess your channel is named Audio University for a reason ;)

[greggregson]

The main differences we hear is the room itself because of uneven placements of the different setups, and maybe a tiny bit of desk reflections. Using heavy, expensive stands for decoupling has a negatable effect. For example the vibrating of my desk was a direct result of the main room modes. treat those first, then worry about your audiphile anxieties.

[spookycrow]

Absolutely agree, a good pair of heavy monitor stands are highly recommended and making a big difference. Using the "K&M Genelec Z8000-409B Floor Stand MKII" and "K&M 26749 monitor plate M" combined with "IsoAcoustics ISO-Puck mini Set" for the 5inch monitors behind the desk and the larger, or rather only longer "K&M 26735 Speaker stands" for my "LD Systems Stinger 10 G3" PA system. Apart from doing their job extremely well, they look great too.

[illamak]

Look great. Cant say heard biggest difference on video but some of the louder parts stood out a bit with the taller setups

[OfficeofthePacific]

Great video. I did not notice any difference with the On-Stage stands with the ISO acoustic stands. I did notice a difference with the ISO acoustic stands and some of the other stands. Made them better, except for the On-Stage

[j.ciloafasho]

You can actually fill the SMS6000 stands with sand. Just have to set them at the desired height first, then remove the nut that holds the top plate on, remove the plate, grab a funnel with a small end and fill where you took the bolt out. Try not to overfill or you might get some in the bolt hole threads but even if you do, you should be able to get it out without too much trouble. Replace the top plate and bolt and you should be good. Have to be a little patient but it works just fine.

[goodtimejohnny]

Differences are subtle. At the end of the day it depends on what equipment your audience is listening to you on.

[nickdelonas]

I built stands with PVC pipe filled with sand. The sand deadens sound vibrations. Adding iso pucks would probably improve isolation even further. Have not done a comparison. Don't remember where I got the tip on using PVC and sand.

[frejmostrom]

Doesn´t the room acutally change the sound more than the speakerstands depending on the actual height of the mic?

Like, if you go to the ceiling there will be different measurements to the middle of the room and so on.

30 cm up or down could probably make more of a difference with how the sound interferes with the room than the stands does?

[pz]

are those changes in sound in comparison at the end of video, are more due to difference in distance and angle from mic rather than stands?

[BlueBeeMCMLXI]

There is a point of view to support elevating a guitar amp to ear height when playing to RECORD.

[WilliamAshleyOnline]

I use 4" speakers to raise my 8" speakers not sure how effective it is but they seem relatively sable with the biggger speakers centered on the smaller ones also provides a chance for a second set of smaller monitors if wanted.

[wurlitsyzer]

your speakers are shifting all over the place in horizontal and vertical, thats the mainreason for sound difference, no way to compare it this way.

[drsprinkle]

I want to buy stands for my studio monitors (base 382 x 349 mm) but all of them, or at least the shorter ones, have small base plates like 230 x 230 mm. Is that okay, or does the plate need to roughly match the base of the monitors?

[edgar]

I would have liked to hear your professional opinion about the differences.

[teashea]

very good video - well done - articulate - organized and fine production values as usual

[xMaSSxHySTRiA]

Amazing work as always!! So thorough and proficient!! Thx 4 the great content! 🤟😎👍

[davidhiggen]

Like 'marti', I can't honestly say that I really hear a great deal of difference. (Tried listening with both open and closed-back phones).
Of course, Youtube has a limited audio bandwidth (I think it's at most about 192 Kb/s) so it may not convey subtleties that you might hear on uncompressed audio.
What binaural microphone are you using, by the way?
In gereral though, clear accurate information as always; keep up the good work.