Cheap adjustable speaker stand recommendations?

[ManBearPig]

Just need something to hold up about 4 of my speakers (they are all quite light, only a few lbs each). I was thinking about the Monorprice ones.

Question(s):

At present, my front L/R speakers are pretty close to the bottom of my tv, below ear height. Would it be bad if i put them on a speaker stand (since they'd be raised more)? Same thing with side and rear surrounds, would it be bad to have them higher (anything around ear height is optimal though, right?)? Just scared they wont go low enough to ear height since the table i have the tv on is pretty low, so everything is kinda low.

In addition, as a side question, is it best for the center speaker to be under the tv? Ive heard some people say its technically better to have it higher. Weird.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Quiklok.

http://www.quiklok.com/catalog/?p=productsMore&iProduct=161&sName=BS-300

they are large!

 

[NutBucket]

Don't think you can beat the monoprice ones without spending A LOT more so go for it!

 

[kalrith]

It's best to have the tweeters of the front 3 speakers at ear height. For most people that would put the center speaker directly in front of the TV screen, so the compromise would be to have the center speaker below the TV pointed up or above the TV pointed down. The tweeters of the rear speakers should be 3 feet above ear height (approximately 6' off the ground).

I tried those monoprice stands with my 8.5-lb. speakers, and they wouldn't stay upright whatsoever. They do fine with my 2-lb. computer speakers though.

 

[ManBearPig]

It's best to have the tweeters of the front 3 speakers at ear height. For most people that would put the center speaker directly in front of the TV screen, so the compromise would be to have the center speaker below the TV pointed up or above the TV pointed down. The tweeters of the rear speakers should be 3 feet above ear height (approximately 6' off the ground).

I tried those monoprice stands with my 8.5-lb. speakers, and they wouldn't stay upright whatsoever. They do fine with my 2-lb. computer speakers though.

thanks once again kal! Ended up getting the monoprice ones, i'll post impressions later. I did some more research on this and you were exactly right (as usual, haha).

Should ALL the surround speakers be 3' above ear height? This guide makes it seem like the rear surrounds AND surrounds should be 3' above ear height.

Also, do you have any opinions on the location of the rear surround speakers? Literally every guide has them in varying positions. Some pointing up, some (THX) right next to each other in the middle, and most have them at varying angles to the l/r of the persons head.

I appreciate any help!

 

[kalrith]

thanks once again kal! Ended up getting the monoprice ones, i'll post impressions later. I did some more research on this and you were exactly right (as usual, haha).

Should ALL the surround speakers be 3' above ear height? This guide makes it seem like the rear surrounds AND surrounds should be 3' above ear height.

Also, do you have any opinions on the location of the rear surround speakers? Literally every guide has them in varying positions. Some pointing up, some (THX) right next to each other in the middle, and most have them at varying angles to the l/r of the persons head.

I appreciate any help!

Yes, all surrounds (basically every speaker other than your front 3 and sub) should be around 3' above ear height. Some recommend the speakers to be "slightly above" ear level, but I like to be exact, and I would say having the tweeters at 3' above the listeners' ears is the best place for the surrounds.

The reason for this is simple: you want to create a surround field in the room rather than being able to think, "Woah, that sound came from the left rear surround speaker!" Whereas with the front 3, you want those sounds coming directly at your ears, and it's not a problem if you notice that a sound comes from the front left speaker.

I don't have any personal experience with rear surrounds. When in doubt, just follow the Dolby placement guide.