Do Studio Monitor Stands Affect Sound Quality?

Listen to these audio demos and learn how studio monitor stands can impact sound quality.
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[@andynonimuss6298]

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.

[@Moshington]

i discovered this stereo vortex effect by accident. totally made sense to me.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for sharing, Andy!

[@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 ;)

[@kirkyardley761]

How good are the iLoud speakers? Is your room treated well and you just compensate a little with the speakers? Or do you just let the speakers do the work? Would you use it with Sonarworks (which I don’t fully understand how it works yet) or would that be completely pointless?

[@loxpower]

@@kirkyardley761 Hi! The iLoud Precision MTMs are, in my opinion, phenomenal, especially in a room with minimal treatment like mine. IK Multimedia's speakers come with their own calibration system. Basically, you use their proprietary microphone to analyze your room's response and apply a corrective EQ curve stored directly into the monitors themselves. So, using Sonarworks is pointless unless you prefer their calibration (and I don't).

[@spookycrow1]

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.

[@andynonimuss6298]

I also like the K&M stands. I have a set of the Adam A77X and I'm using the K&M 26720 monitor stands with an 8" x 9.5" (205 x 245 mm) top plate and Pyle isolation platform pads. K&M also has a newer version... the K&M 26722 with a wider top plate 11" x 12.5" (280 x 320 mm).

[@goodtimejohnny8972]

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

[@teashea1]

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

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Thomas!

[@pz1792]

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?

[@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.

[@AudioUniversity]

Wow! Didn’t know that. Thank you.

[@frejmostrom3458]

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?

[@greggregson5984]

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.

[@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.

[@bonzology322]

REW measurements would be most useful for this

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

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

[@illamak]

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

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching and letting me know!

[@xMaSSxHyST3RiA]

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

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@wurlitsyzer9810]

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.

[@greggregson5984]

Absolutely correct. 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.

[@wurlitsyzer9810]

thx for the confirmation. learning puzzle for puzzle on a long road. its so easy to mix things up, or get fooled by your perception, draw the wrong conclusions. but its a interessting learningprocess also about yourself and how to handle things. the mind adapts very quick, needs often a refresh to find back to baseline. Sound dont want to be in boxes or bigger boxes (Rooms), its always a compromise and the Room dictates whats possible. Find the right spot for the speakers and your listening position (also height to the floor and ceiling, experiment with it, its fun how sound behaves, half like Water till ca 400 hz, and like Light above. (psychoaccousticly) Then treat your room where and what it deserves. if you want to nerd into it, learn the basics about its physics to understand it better and can imagine what the f is going on. Have Fun :) The Legend says that Daft Punk produced their first album on a regular jvc hifi set :D @@greggregson5984

[@rob4601]

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.

[@rob4601]

Even if you only want to private message your opinion i am happy with that. My wife has the gator. And klipsch fives. I have the sevens. I want the nines. Kef ls50 are yoo expensive in my country. So no desk space. I have the Samson stands. But i am looking at getting like steel stands. The tripod one for example. But now looking at bolting klipsch to stand vs spiked and cup feet vs rubber puck vs iso acoustic stand. Obviously adjustable desk to get to lower height for floor stand speakers

[@estraglacial]

In all honesty, I can't tell much of a difference in the comparison. I'm sure that the ultimate support stands, filled with sand paired with the isoacoustic stands will reduce more resonance than any of the other stands, which would result in a much cleaner bass. However, I find myself not appreciating much of a difference in the comparison. Could this be because I'm listening to the comparison with closed-back headphones? I'm thinking bass is better appreciated with speakers than with headphones. Cheers :)

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts here, Martí!

[@Sungroove]

@@AudioUniversityway to ignore his comment and not answer the question lol

[@AnzaSengani]

Great content as always. I'm planning on buying the Samson MS200 Stands for my jbl 305p.

[@ChewyToeNails]

TOPIC IDEA for a video: As someone who is new to learning about audio, something I came across is, what is the difference between in ear monitors and ear buds for phone music!? I had thought to myself, "wait a tick! I use earbuds to listen to music to drum to.... why can't I just get a blue tooth in ear monitor output for the power mixer for when I play gigs..." I thought I had some brilliant idea.... but noooo ...

[@PippPriss]

Frequency curve and response are different on IEMs, they are tailored to sound flatter. Another aspect is isolation - IEM systems tend to isolate very well against outer factors, while earbuds are looser. Makes sense, since earbuds are regulated to not isolate that well to avoid incidents in traffic etc. Manufacturer's then try to compensate for lack oh physical isolation with stuff like noise cancelling etc.

[@davidhiggen3029]

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, KZbin 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.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, David. This is the 3DIO FS XLR microphone.

[@davidhiggen3029]

@@AudioUniversity Interesting. I looked up the 3DIO FS XLR, and it claims to have a frequency response of 60 Hz - 20 kHz. So maybe a bit lacking in the bass area? Of course, this frequency response figure doesn't, as far as I can see, say what the +or- dB range is for that frequency range, so it's a bit woolly: anyone can claim a range if they don't specify the limits! An actual frequency response chart would be more useful. Perhaps it is meant more to simulate human hearing rather than a technical reference tool? Not at all intending to be critical here, I'm just shooting the breeze as another guy who is very interested in audio engineering and equipment. Cheers!

[@AudioUniversity]

Great point! I’d love to acquire one of the Neumann head mics someday for these tests! You’re right though - this microphone is not intended for these tests. Thanks for watching, David.

[@PolymerJones]

What holds the monitors on the stands ? I have cats they could knock it over. I was about to pull the trigger on stands from TEMU lol lightning deal

[@use0fweapons]

would you consider putting rubber on the bottom of foam under monitors?

[@AudioUniversity]

It might be effective. Make sure it’s stable though!

[@keeppushin]

Wow this opened my miiind on why i think i hate my adams, they need to get off my desk sooner than i thought

[@karayuschij]

I use cinder blocks... I haven't found anything better (and it doesn't cost anything).

[@Rene.Rhodes]

I think the vibration isolation is no problem when you have acoustic foam under the studion monitors. Or am I wrong?

Sub frequencies would still go through

[@nano7586]

Anybody who has common sense will say fine-tuning the shit out of anything is unnecessary. Just be productive and settle with something not 100% optimal but near to. Of course people selling or (affiliate) marketing these sorts of products will say otherwise.

[@tianyiwangmusic]

Great video. Just curious, what kind of sand should you fill the stands with? Is there a place to get the specific type of sand?

[@AudioUniversity]

I was searching for the same answer. I ended up just buying play sand from a hardware store.

[@doublet147]

Play (sandbox) sand will work. Make sure it's absolutely dry! If you want to go pro/ocd you can get kiln dried sand.

[@ariathyf144]

The sand you get from tatooine.

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@ariathyf144 The best sand you'll find is in the Dune Sea near the Pit of Carkoon, the nesting place of the all-powerful Sarlacc ... be mindful about getting too close to the beast or you'll be pulled into it's belly finding a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.

[@paulhamacher773]

2:05 I'm genuinely interested.. is this effect noticable in practice? Like.. really noticable and not only measurable with like -30dB compared to the direct sound? I'm highly sceptical and I always smile a bit when I see someone spend money on these foam pads for their 100$ studio monitors but I'd love to back up my scepticism with some measurement data or conversely get completely blown away by them and change my opinion.

[@AudioUniversity]

It definitely makes a difference. I would guess that the density and stability of the desk impacts how big of a difference. A lightweight tabletop will resonate more than a very sturdy and heavy tabletop.

[@paulhamacher773]

@@AudioUniversity I'm just inspired to do my own measurements on my Ikea Paper Core Tabletop 😃 That should give a definite answer

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m interested to hear the results!

[@Atezian]

Put an electric guitar against a wooden desk and hear how much it amplifies the electric guitar (not plugged in to an amp)

[@Fiveash-Art]

Are those monitors the t7v's or the t5v's?

[@AudioUniversity]

T7V

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@AudioUniversity yeah, it's weird how they seem to take up the same amount of space.. considering how the 5s are actually deeper, and the 7s are just taller. I'm thinking about going with the 7s but I keep going back and forth.

[@patrickmccrank8414]

Wow. I listen to audiophile stuff on KZbin all the time. This is the most obvious and pronounced difference I have heard. You do hear more base with isolation. Withouti solation the music sounds "tinny" like the old AM radio. When it comes to stands, higher quality and isolation is important. You do get what you pay for... or not. I wish you had tried the "Ultimate Support MS100's with the isolating and inclining decouplers.

[@TheDude117]

what kind of song is that? (~ 7:00)

[@a.ro6]

ISO stand 200 is better than other in tightening the bass and stereo imaging...

[@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?

[@AT-wl9yq]

It's OK. The base of the speaker is almost always bigger than the top of the stand it sits on.

[@overseer_grimal]

When I close my eyes, I can hardly tell the difference. Could be different in the room though

[@frankfarago2825]

Just a basic infomercial for you to buy some rather ugly, overpriced metal stands.

[@paulsmallriver6066]

Those prices are absurd. Place speakers where they sound good to you. That's it.