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Good budget speaker stands
I would love to have fully welded, four column support speaker stands. I just do not want to spend that much money on stands that are almost as expensive as the speakers sitting on them. I finally have a pair of stands that are good supports for my speakers.
I am now using the Sanus SF 22 with the Mobile Fidelity OML1's. Parts-Express has the SF 22 stands for $129. The stands have a large heavy steel base with very good carpet piercing spikes. The stands have two circular steel columns that can be sand filled. The top plate is again a heavy steel plate that can use either rubber supports or brass points. Once assembled the stand is heavy and very stable due to the larger base and very good carpet piercing spikes.
Other stands I have used were a single column Sanus Euro stand that was fine for the NHT SuperOne's and the Ascend CBM 170SE's. Both speakers smaller and lighter than the OML1's. I tried a pair of Pangea speaker stands with three columns. Even AudioAdvisors discounted price the stands were not satisfactory. The base of the stands are small and the spikes are not carpet piercing but more rounded. The more rounded "spikes" allow the stand to wobble on carpet. They do not have enough weight to help with stability.
When I ordered new stands I decided to go with a height of 22 inches instead of the 24 or 26 inch stands I already owned. The OML1's have a 5 degree angle of the front baffle so I thought a slightly shorter stand might be a benefit. Turns out the shorter stand is an improvement. A combination of greater rigidity and a shorter stand has had a positive effect on the sound. Better soundstaging both in imaging and depth. I find the angle of the tweeter with my ear makes the highs sweeter. Bass is stronger and again closer proximity to the floor or the more rigid support both may have helped.
All in all a good speaker stand at the price.