The Best Speaker Stands

Buying Guide

The people who run movie theaters don’t want to hear this but it’s easier than ever to watch new movies on a large screen with top-notch sound at home. Besides, watching movies in your pajamas on your own sofa can be a far better experience than heading to a busy theater across town.

But the key to a truly great at-home viewing experience is a good home theater. You don’t have to spend a fortune these days to get a large-screen, high-definition TV and a surround sound system that puts you in the middle of the action.

It isn’t just about purchasing the right speakers, though. Any true audiophile will tell you that for the best surround sound, you’ll need to have each speaker placed in the appropriate place. There’s an exact distance from your ear that each speaker needs to be for optimum performance.

The problem with many home theaters, though, is that smaller speakers tend to be designed for mounting on the wall. A stand lets you use the small but mighty speakers available today without restricting where you’ll place them. You simply attach each speaker to the stand and then move the stand where it needs to go. If you ever rearrange furniture, simply move the speakers to the new location.

The goal in setting up a home theater is to create a listening sweet spot. To do this, you need to place the speakers as distant from each other as they are from you, creating a triangle, with the two front speakers as the base and you as the point. You’ll also need to move them at least a foot away from any wall to avoid muffling or interfering with the sound that’s coming out of each speaker.

• Not all speaker stands are compatible with all speakers. Check for compatibility before you buy. Also, measure the dimensions of your speaker and measure the distance from the mounting hole to the bottom of the speaker to make sure your speaker will line up with the stand.
• Speaker stands come in sets of two. These are typically designed to be used with your front speakers. If you’re creating surround sound, you’ll also need at least a center speaker. Two rear speakers can greatly enhance the experience, but aren’t required.
• The height of your front speakers should be somewhat close to ear level, although some can go slightly above. A speaker stand that adjusts can help you find the optimum height. Some adjust more than others, so make sure you measure the distance from the floor to where your ear typically is when you’re seated in front of your TV.
• Cables tend to be a nuisance when it comes to any electronics. Some speaker sounds have built-in cable management to help keep unsightly wires hidden from view.
• Speaker stands also have a weight capacity. Some can only hold a couple of pounds while others go up to 5 pounds or more. Check the weight of each speaker before you buy stands.
• Stability can be an issue with speaker stands. Many now have triangular feet to help your speaker keep that balance even if you accidentally bump into it. Some also have rubber pads underneath to keep the stand from sliding around.
• For durability purposes, pay close attention to the material used to make your speaker stand. Look for cast iron or steel. Many are also coated in black for aesthetics.