Cheap speaker stands?

[caddelma]

I am looking for some cheap speaker stands. I need two sets. One for the mains (Yamaha 8in 3-way) and another set for the rears (Optimus 2-way w/ 4in woofer No flaming they were cheap!). I don't have a preference as to brand or metal or wood. I guess for the mains I need something in the 16" range and for the rears in the 20" range. Any other thoughts/suggestions welcome.

[ArkiStan]

As I mentioned once before, I suggest trying to get creative using basic elements such as bricks and wooden boards. The last itme I mentioned that, many people doubted that that could work at all. But if you do it right it doesn't look that bad. And the material is cheap and you can find it anywhere. Here is an example of a guy's setup picture I found at Audioreview.com. It isn't mine, but I think it show my point a little. It's definitely better than some cheap premad stands. Think about it.

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/audio/gallery/pictures/gear.jpg

[caddelma]

Well after going and looking at speaker stands and how they are made and buying a center speaker and sub, I think I am going to build my own. Here are my thoughts. Go to home Depot and pick up some "shelves" that are laminated in either black or oak. For the base use a 12" x 24" and cut in half. Do this for both sets (front and rear). For the top plate use an 8 x 24. Might be a little big for the rears, but could be cut down if needed. For the vertical supports take another 8 x 24 and cut to length desired for the fronts and again for the rears. Then cut the peice in half long-ways. So know drill some holes and assemble. If I get really picky I will coat or find some laminate to cover the cut edges, which if assembled right should all be in the rear anyway. I estimate parts to be in the $50 range, which will get me the same or better stands (two sets) as what Best buy sells for 49.99 and up for one set! Shoot I could buy a circular saw and still spend less ;) Another thought is to buy some smooth high grade oak or maybe even pine boards and stain it. That would take some more work, but they would be real oak!

[ArkiStan]

make sure to show us your work when you're done!!

[LPMiller]

Originally posted by caddelma
Well after going and looking at speaker stands and how they are made and buying a center speaker and sub, I think I am going to build my own. Here are my thoughts. Go to home Depot and pick up some "shelves" that are laminated in either black or oak. For the base use a 12" x 24" and cut in half. Do this for both sets (front and rear). For the top plate use an 8 x 24. Might be a little big for the rears, but could be cut down if needed. For the vertical supports take another 8 x 24 and cut to length desired for the fronts and again for the rears. Then cut the peice in half long-ways. So know drill some holes and assemble. If I get really picky I will coat or find some laminate to cover the cut edges, which if assembled right should all be in the rear anyway. I estimate parts to be in the $50 range, which will get me the same or better stands (two sets) as what Best buy sells for 49.99 and up for one set! Shoot I could buy a circular saw and still spend less ;) Another thought is to buy some smooth high grade oak or maybe even pine boards and stain it. That would take some more work, but they would be real oak!

Thats sort of what I did...home depot also sells these build your own shelves, that most use for night stands or lil' bookshelves in a kids room. They come in black and white, and were perfect for my speakers, and a hell of a lot cheaper at 12 bucks a pop.

[caddelma]

Thats sort of what I did...home depot also sells these build your own shelves, that most use for night stands or lil' bookshelves in a kids room. They come in black and white, and were perfect for my speakers, and a hell of a lot cheaper at 12 bucks a pop.

If these are the ones I am thinking of I saw them at meijer and was wondering if my speakers would fit. I am going to measure them tonight and see. Of course meijer wanted 19.99 ea go figure. If they don't I will go ahead and make my own. What is the best way to cut these laminated boards? I was thinking a circular saw, but I am afraid it will leave too rough of a cut, but maybe a fine tooth blade would help. Any suggestions?

[caddelma]

Went to home depot and picked up some black "shelves". I looked around for the put-together "stackable" shelves in black, but all I found was white. I spent about $100 there about $50 for the wood, screws and rubber pads and another $50 for the circular saw and a 150-tooth cutting blade. The shelving is a laminated black with plastic edges all around.

For the base plates of the large stands I am using a 12"x24" peice and cutting it in half for both. The top plate I am taking a 10" x 24" peice and cutting it into two 10x10 peices. For the uprights I am taking two 8"x24" peices and cutting into half for a total of 4 uprights (2 sets). Pretty simple, 5 cuts total and 16 holes drilled for screws. I will probably try to find some plastic edging to cover over the cut ends, but if assembled right they will be all in the back.

For the smaller (taller) stands used for the rears, the base plate will be 10x10 with the top plate of 8x8 and uprights being 8x24.

Shouldn't be hard to make as long as I can cut straight and drill the holes straight. I thought about making them two-tone using black for the top and base plates and a wood tone for the uprights, but they didn't have a wood tone that matched the rest of my furniture, then again most the furniture doesn't match anyway :( Well it's paid for.

When I am done I will try to get some pics. I don't have a scanner or digital camera, so it might take awhile.