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Getting your studio monitors to the perfect positioning can be challenging without the right equipment. And as I’m sure you’re aware of since you came across this article, a studio monitor stand can go a long way to helping you position your speakers and helping to achieve an unbiased sound.
But which ones are the most secure, have the most flexible adjustments, and best help you get a true reflection of your audio projects? Check our comparison of the best studio monitor stands on the market to find out now.
Contents
Iso-Stand Series Speaker Isolation Stands – Best Overall
Key Features
- 14-setting adjustment
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Includes Gaia pucks for support
- Patented Iso Acoustics isolation
- Tiltable up to 6.5 degrees
This is the ISO Stand series. In this lineup are the ISO 430, 200, 155, and 130 models. The numbers, for example, the 130 is referring to the width. This is their smallest model in the lineup designed for smaller speakers.
It is an isolation platform for your speakers to sit on. It's a bit of an unusual, patented design. And they say that rather than eliminating vibrations, the whole point is for the stand to vibrate in tandem or harmony with the speaker.
They are supposed to be placed on the ISO-L8R or Aperta systems with Gaia pucks underlaid to improve the sound.
With the ISO Line, you'll have a set of isolating tripods in your home studio. With the smallest system, the ISO-130, even very small speakers can be enjoyed and are only increased by 8.5 cm due to the small design.
Like the larger ISO-155 and ISO-200, they are available in two different heights. Unsurprisingly, the ISO-200 is intended for use with subwoofers.
IsoAcoustics ISO-200, ISO-155, and ISO-130 allow 14 variations of inclination and height adjustment to align the acoustic axis perfectly.
As with all other IsoAcoustics products, the manufacturer promises a significant improvement in the reproduction properties of a monitor placed on it.
The 200s are designed for compact speakers. They come with rods. You have a taller isolation platform whose height is 22 centimeters, about 8.75 inches. You can adjust the tilt, but you don't need any tools for adjusting that.
About the sound quality, they ensure the bass doesn't hang around in the room, and you get a little bit more separation and a better stereo image.
What they do is isolate the speakers from your surface – the desk or your shelf. That's number one!
Furthermore, they reduce the vibrations that will be transmitted from the speakers onto the surface. And so they increase the sound that way by creating fewer vibrations and sort of opening up the sound.
It makes it sound a lot clearer, giving you a much better stereo presence and a lot less of a muddy sound. It also raises the speakers slightly and points them towards your ear so that the sound gets closer to your ear level.
And then also they make the performance of the speaker a little bit more rigid. They are designed so that when the speaker vibrates, it can only vibrate forward and backward. It cannot vibrate sideways.
It's designed in such a way that the top plate is almost like a vibration reduction platform. The angle of it is also adjustable. So, it enables you to angle the speaker up to ear level. You could also angle it down. If your speaker is on a shelf and pointing downward, you can put the spacers on the back and angle the platform down rather than up.
What We Didn't Like
The price. Even the smallest in the range comes at the price of an entry-level studio monitor speaker. This is one of the cases where the accessory can be more expensive than what they're supporting. But for the support and isolation you get, you'll get value for money.
Recommended For
A pair of speakers stands for compact monitors in recording studios and subwoofers and other loudspeakers for HiFI fans at home.
Pros
- Adjustable to ear level
- Great vibration control
- Available in four sizes
- For small and large monitors or speakers
- Internal reflection reduction
Cons
- Very expensive
Clutch Cl-Dms250 – Premium Option
Key Features
- Up to 11-inch rise
- 8.6 x 7 inches top plate dimensions
- Designed from heavy-duty steel
- Each stand weighs 6 pounds
When it comes to installing a stereo or home theater system, some only care about practicality. Others care about aesthetics, but the majority hope for the optimum sound quality.
On this last point, connoisseurs know that the positioning of the speakers, the dimensions and characteristics of the room in which they will be installed, the materials that compose it, and the listening position are all elements that will influence the results. And these, when duly set and selected, will be optimized by a proper stand like this one from Clutch.
Our premium pick for studio monitor and speaker stand is the Clutch CL-DMS250. By placing the studio monitors in suspension, the stands significantly increase the performance of the boxes both in terms of the stereophonic image and the precision in the treble and bass.
This model isolates the loudspeaker from the contact surface so that vibrations transmitted to the furniture and the floor become almost zero. This is a detail that should not be overlooked for those living in a condo.
What you pay for these stands is reflected in what you get. The whole package includes two monitor stands, two rubber caps, two speaker plates/platforms, two base plates, eight hexagon thumb screws, one hexagon wrench, and two cable clips.
It is a set of height-adjustable speaker stands. You can adjust each in 5 to 6 positions. You have up to 11-inch of rising at the maximum notch.
It has a wide base and durable design that helps curb excess vibrations from the speaker. This premium product comes in a pair.
Clutch has designed a range of supports intended to absorb vibrations that can be transmitted to the elements of the chain. The differences are not as obvious as with speaker stands, but their use still provides a more than optimal environment for your devices.
Given the reasonable prices, it is not too painful to obtain them to complete a stereo or home theater installation.
What We Didn't Like
The biggest flaw about this is that it takes a lot of your desk space because of its wide base platform. You also need a hexagon wrench to adjust and assemble it.
Recommended For
This is ideal for audiophiles, studio professionals, and those with high-end electronic equipment.
Pros
- Height adjustable in six settings
- Heavy-duty and reliable
- Comes with everything needed for mounting
- Sturdy and looks beautifully designed
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The price
Pyle Dual Studio Monitor 2 Speaker Stand Mount Kit – Budget Choice
Key Features
- Made of reinforced arc-welded metal
- Up to 90 pounds of weight
- Anti-slip grip pads
- Foldable to 29 inches in length
This is a kind of laptop table or a mixer table for your studio or side stage equipment. This product from Pyle is easy to assemble. Pyle is an audio equipment manufacturer that designs audio instruments for hobbyists, professionals, home and automobile use.
You have four screws, and there's a knob at the bottom that gets tightened. This can extend quite high it can almost go as high as your chest, more than 4 feet.
This is adjustable. You can choose to loosen or tighten the extension up. You can make the slope level by tightening it up. Once it's tight, it won't rotate around.
What we like most about this is you can collapse it easily to fit into your bag while on the go.
It can support speakers that are up to 90 pounds of weight steadily. Underneath are anti-slip grip pads made of rubber for precise balance and stability. Each of the monitor stands weighs 6 pounds approximately. It's made of reinforced arc-welded metal, and its reliability is never in question.
We would also recommend it for musicians who are rehearsing. You can just take this as part of your regular music setup, stick it beside you and put your notes, lyrics, or song notes on it.
It could be used as a music stand as well. It would go high and sloped, but it doesn't have bottom clips as a regular music stand would. You'd have to figure that out.
However, it has a metal platform base that helps you get a hold of your speaker or whatever you want to have on it. The tripod stand is heavy-duty, and we loved the fact it is adjustable almost to any height as far as the ear level is concerned.
This was not that expensive. It costs half of what the smallest on the ISO-Stand series come for. And considering how useful it is, it's a great value. Considering the user manual that came with the box, Pyle seemed eager to be there for you.
What We Didn't Like
We mentioned that this could be used for music rehearsals. However, you should also note that it doesn't have bottom clips like your regular music stand. It's designed solely as a monitor or speaker stand.
Recommended For
As mentioned earlier, this is a laptop table or a mixer table for your studio or side stage equipment. We would also recommend it for musicians who are rehearsing.
Pros
- For onstage and in-studio use
- Foldable for travel
- Ready to use right out of the box
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No music clips
Hola Studio Monitor Speaker Stands – Top Alternative
Key Features
- Heavy-duty tripod speaker stands
- Adjustable heights between 29 to 53 inches
- Comes with 4 non-slip isolation pads
- Up to 80 lbs capacity on each stand
- 19 pounds total weight
- Reinforced leg housing
The Hola Studio Monitor Speaker Mount is like the Pyle stand we reviewed above, but this one is more sturdy. It's for those who need sturdy, height-adjustable speaker stands with a higher weight limit.
It's for those who need a stand that they can raise and lower to manage their height dominance with different speakers. Unlike the Pyke speaker, which the manufacturer says can hold 90 pounds, this stand here can hold up to 160 pounds in pair. So, it's a top alternative to the Pyke.
There's not much assembly to do. Setting up is very quick. Most people should be able to put these together in five minutes.
It has reinforced leg housing with non-slip rubber feet. They're not like hard plastic. They are nice, rubbery, and grippy, which is good.
The stand also has a handy dandy little steel plate that is a bit heavy. If you want, they also include foam pads or grippers that you can stick on to protect your speakers from sliding around. So, if you have a bookshelf speaker or something with a smooth surface, it's just going to slide around. The foam pads help the speaker to remain stable and unmoving.
You have up to four feet of height adjustment, which we don't think you'll ever need that much. They are unlike stands with triangle bases, which are nice and everything. But when you get a heavy speaker on top of them, they would just sway and get top-heavy.
However, with these adjustable tripod stands, you can adjust the legs out for more stability. These are a lot more stable. One of the best things you can do for your speakers is put them on sturdy and stable stands.
And the Hola Studio Monitor Speaker Stands are a great alternative to premium models, especially if you want heavy-duty use.
What We Didn't Like
We found nothing on this set of speaker stands as far as downsides are concerned. They are sold for a low price and are solid, safe, and for heavy-duty use.
Recommended For
These are professional-level speaker stands. The studio monitor and speaker stands can be used for mounting a PA speaker. You can use them for mounting your studio or side stage equipment.
Pros
- Strong, safe, and durable
- Height adjustable with a safety pin
- Easy to assemble
- Great value for money
Cons
- None
Gator Frameworks Desktop Clamp-On Studio Monitor And Speaker Stand – Best Desk Speaker Mount
Key Features
- Desktop clamp-on studio monitor speaker
- Tiltable from 0 to 15 degrees
- Adjustable height from 10.5 to 14 inches
- Platforms with soft EVA linings
- Available as a stand or clamp
- 60 lbs weight capacity each
Are you occupied with the thought of having a speaker stand that bounces around and dances to each beat and bounces of the bass? Then why not try something you could just clamp to your desk!
The Gator Frameworks Studio Monitor and Speaker Stand is a desktop model that you can clamp safely to your desk while remaining at moderate ear-level height.
The clamp-on studio monitor stand fits most standard studio monitors. It's up to 9 inches deep by 12 inches wide. You can adjust its angle from zero to 15 degrees which is cool, but you must be careful with the extreme angles when adjusting.
The product consists of a pair of stands with two platforms. The platforms have a nice smooth surface with little grip, which ensures your monitor doesn't slide.
The package consists of two platforms, some screws, and the actual monitor stand clamps. There's no instruction manual or anything else. However, it's self-explanatory. Just bolt them in on the top and then tighten each onto your desks.
You can tilt the angle – which will be able to tilt the platform – and tighten it up. Also, you can adjust the height so you can get some extra height.
The clamp-style stand is super sturdy and heavy-duty. It has a pin holder midway which ensures the structure doesn't just dangle off. Not only available as a clamp, but there's also the stand-type variant. It's all like the first one; however, it's without a clamp but a proper four-angle stand. The stand is more balanced and cheaper than the clamp style.
Each platform of the stands has anon-slip surface that is lined with soft EVA materials. These will prevent your studio monitors from getting scratched and slipping – dual functionality!
Again, you can adjust the height from 10.5 inches to 14 inches approximately and lock it for stability. Also, you can tilt the platform to your comfortable listening angle from 0 to 15 degrees – sublime ergonomics!
Aside from using them to mount your studio monitors, they can also fit your laptops, whether at home for mixing, recording, listening, or on-the-stage performance – great versatility!
What We Didn't Like
This is not supposed to be a negative point, but apparently, you can't mount these on a glass surface for safety reasons. Also, we noticed it wouldn't be too ideal if you have a solid or very thick studio desk. But it works for most desks.
Recommended For
If you would like to have your pair of studio monitor speakers or one speaker and a laptop on your desk safely – one to your left, one to your right with the right height, and your monitor centered – then this is for you. It is a standard design for home and professional use.
Pros
- Perfect speaker stand for home use
- Sturdy and stable
- Adjustable and tiltable
- Great price
Cons
- They don't come with screws
Dlandhome Gaming Desk With Adjustable Display Speaker Stand – Best Desk With Studio Monitor Stands
Key Features
- Gaming desk
- Platforms made of walnut wood
- Includes adjustable speaker stand
- Cup holders and hooks for headphones
- R-feet for stability
The best gaming or studio desk isn't always the most sophisticated. The most efficient remains the one offering the maximum of ergonomics, stability, and practicality. Among our basic references for this year, 2022, is the DlandHome Gaming Desk with Speaker Stands.
This item supersedes other models on the market because it is cheaper. Also, it is distinguished by its top with a high-end wooden finish. At the front, it has slightly curved edges for more ergonomics.
This gaming desk is a piece of furniture that is made to optimize the gaming performance of its user. It is designed with different devices dedicated to this purpose. However, it can also double as a studio monitor stand and as a speaker stand.
Why spend over $100 on just a speaker stand when you know you still have the desk left to be sorted out? This is an all-purpose desk/stand.
You have three spaces for mounting your laptop and speakers. And the desk is so spacious that you can have your computer, game console, and DJ console on it. So, it answers all your questions as far as setting up your home studio is concerned. All you need do is bring in all your sound instruments to the table and find a seat.
This table is neither small nor large. It offers a large workspace with its 120 x 64 x 76 cm. It can easily accommodate your PC screens and your keyboard. Robust and stable, it can support a weight of 300 pounds (around 150 kg). Its top is mainly made of particleboard. It has a non-slip carbon fiber surface.
As for its frames, they are made of solid rolled steel. Its R-shaped feet are also very resistant. Its basic structure is made of steel. The height of the stands is adjustable at will. In addition to its tabletop and frames, this desk comes with a cup holder, headphone holder, stickers, cable guides, a fixing tool, and an instruction manual. It has everything you need to facilitate the assembly of the product.
What We Didn't Like
The information given in the assembly instructions is relatively brief. For some, it is understandable, but for others, it is not. The platforms also need some polishing.
Recommended For
The design of this desk is perfect for music professionals and E-sports enthusiasts (headphone holder, cable management, R-legs, etc.).
Pros
- It can accommodate 2 PC monitors
- For games and studio works
- Easy to install
- Durable and stable
- Made from elegant material
- Heavy-duty and large storage capacity
Cons
- Assembly instructions could be more detailed
- Platforms need polishing
How To Choose A Studio Monitor Stand
A monitor stand or monitor speaker stand is designed not only to allow you to best position your monitoring of computers and audio from your speakers. They help to isolate them sonically, to keep your sound as clean and precise as possible. When used as a monitor stand, they help you keep your head at the most ergonomic level. Your eyes will be in straight contact with the monitor, as it is adjustable in height.
Most studio furniture already has raised platforms for the monitoring speakers. Still, if your setup uses a regular desk or a mixing station with a console, you will need speaker stands to position your speakers properly.
These will also isolate vibrations and prevent your desk, or anything else in the area, from resonating excessively. The fewer objects resonate, the clearer your stereo field is, and the more you can mix your music (and faster).
These stands prevent annoying vibrations from being transferred to your desk or floor, reducing unwanted noise or frequency issues. This is usually achieved through rubber materials that absorb the vibrations of the cabinet. These are usually placed on the speaker's base and where the stand meets the floor or desk.
What are the factors to consider when buying a monitor speaker stand? How much is fair to pay? How do you choose the ideal model for your needs? In this section, we'll try to touch on the necessary areas as briefly as possible.
There are some other important factors to pay attention to when choosing a monitor mount. We have listed some of them below:
The Type
First, you need to choose a studio stand that can support the weight of your monitor speaker. Some of the most popular designs are the:
Studio Speaker Stand
As the name suggests, floor speaker stands are intended for use on the floor, usually in the form of a metal pole that raises the proximity monitors to the desired height. This is the type most used on PA systems. It allows larger speakers to be attached and positioned, but the same principle applies to studios.
Floor stands are the ideal solution, as they keep the speakers away from vibrating and reflective materials, such as the floor or your desk. But they usually take up a lot of space and aren't best suited for small studio speakers (you don't want the small speakers to be too far away from the listener).
Desktop Speaker Stands
Not everyone has the necessary space to install brackets for their monitoring speakers. For those of us on a tight budget, this desk speaker stand is designed to elevate your speakers and provide some isolation. Its design also allows for additional space under the desk.
Most importantly, they isolate your speaker from your desk, which results in clearer sound. Need space and great versatility? Opt for a portable studio monitor speaker stand, such as the DlandHome Gaming Desk With Adjustable Stands.
Monitoring Wall Mount
Although this is not the most suitable and most frequently used solution in-home studio, wall brackets are also available. The advantage is they can control the angle of diffusion and the angle of inclination, from 3 to -20 degrees.
Supported Size And Weight
To avoid damaging your stand, pay attention to its size and weight. These numbers are generally specified both in the technical data and in the tables and instruction manuals.
Most models can handle anything between 12 and 22 inches and weigh up to 20 lbs. But look carefully to find a model that is compatible with your monitor. Otherwise, additional expenses and headaches may arrive soon.
Strength And Durability
You don't want to shell out good money on a stand and see it crash shortly after, right? Therefore, it is necessary to choose a durable and resistant model (in addition to respecting the weight and size limits).
The material is the main characteristic that influences it. Several things are used for construction and reinforcement. Wood, fiber, carbon steel, and aluminum give greater security. In terms of durability, you have to give it to models with carbon steel. But each one has its characteristics that can be positive eventually.
Technology Used
The most common technology for modern supports is the gas piston arm. It offers great ease of movement of the monitor in all directions. No effort is required.
When there is no gas spring available, there are other simpler technologies as well. Levers, manual adjustments, even stands that need to be stacked for height—the more modern, the more expensive. Ask yourself how much you are willing to pay for more comfort.
Top Studio Monitor Stands, Conclusion
There is, unfortunately, no way around a first-class speaker stand when it comes to getting the best sound out of the speakers. The most important properties for such a speaker stand are its weight, stability, and design. The heavier the speaker stand, the less it tends to vibrate with the music being played. Suppose the center of gravity of the loudspeaker stand is also far down; its stability and protection against falling over increases automatically. Of course, when buying such a speaker stand, the question arises about how good it has to be and from which manufacturer to order it. The difference between having vs. not having is less important than the question of choosing the right model.