Hi,

Quick question,
In general, which is a better type of stand
for bookshelf speakers, open frame or pillar style?

The pillar variety seem to be the most popular although
some mfcrs such as Linn always went with open frame option.
And then further questions regarding spikes or blu-tak for
underneath the speaker?
Just curious what most people here are using.

Matthew

I always found filled pillar to work best. Your mileage may vary.

The only things that matter about speaker stands are that they are rigid enough to withstand dogs and kids, that they place the gap between the tweeter and the bass driver at ear height and that their appearance doesn't wreck the marriage.

For good measure Blu Tak is a good way to secure speakers to a stands without damaging the veneer.

I have a sand filled single pillar type, with blutack under the speakers.

Seems OK with my ES-14s, although they are not bookshelf speakers by any stretch - they absolutely have to be out from the wall.

The only things that matter about speaker stands are that they are rigid enough to withstand dogs and kids, that they place the gap between the tweeter and the bass driver at ear height and that their appearance doesn't wreck the marriage.

For good measure Blu Tak is a good way to secure speakers to a stands without damaging the veneer. Excuse me! come again? :o:o
What a sweeping ' expert' comment!
I have seen direct evidence , witnessed with my own eyes of people removing speakers from a genuine 'blu tack' adhesed stand ,with no force being involved. 'Ripped veneer' - the result! One can only conject the chemical composition of blu tack 'bled' though the veneer and interacted with the speaker veneer's adhestive. The remedy: further careful removal of the 'blu tack' and reattachment of the torn veneer with use of super glue, judiously used to leave no excess 'dags' around the patching. But then I would appear just one of the 'uninformed' out there, in need of further sound advice.

I've found there is no right answer, different speakers want a different approach, i.e. stick a ProAc 1SC on a Kan stand and it sounds crap, stick it on a Target R1 and it sounds great. The reverse being true with a Kan.

Tony.

I've found there is no right answer, different speakers want a different approach, i.e. stick a ProAc 1SC on a Kan stand and it sounds crap, stick it on a Target R1 and it sounds great. The reverse being true with a Kan.

Tony.If stands vary in height, would not the polar response of speakers also tend to be affected? Some speakers have a wide polar distribution response in the horizonal plane but tend to have a much narrower one in the vertical plane. Would not the height off the floor also be critical for a given speaker, in related regard to the seated 'height' of the listener?