DIY speaker stands

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by amazingtrade, Aug 22, 2005.

  1. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    Has anybody tried this with good effects? I have some old metal pipes in the shed and they are quite thick but I know its not a simple case of joining bits of metal to wood.

    What is the best meterial to use for the base and top? I just feel like a bit of DIY and it will be a shame to let this metal to go to waste.

    My current speaker stands are too small as my listening position is a high up bed I need the stands need to be 100m at least my current ones are only 58cm so its very hard to get a sound stage from as the tweeters are too low down. They are also not very stable.
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 22, 2005
    #1
  2. amazingtrade

    themadhippy seen it done it smokin it

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    1,118
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    by the cross
    A picture paints a 1000 words so here its is,the top and bottom are clamped in place by the inne threaded rod
     

    Attached Files:

    themadhippy, Aug 22, 2005
    #2
  3. amazingtrade

    zanash

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2003
    Messages:
    3,826
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Notts.
    Looks good .....tensioned rod, the anulus could be fitted with fine oven dried sand too

    Top and bottom plate could be ...well almost anything but you could try 25mm MDF for starters.
     
    zanash, Aug 22, 2005
    #3
  4. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    Thanks, I have 25mm MDF and I have some pipes, I have a jigsaw and a hacksaw plus the usual drills etc.

    The problem I had from last time is I could only get hold of a 16mm threaded bolt the 20mm ones were tricky to get hold off. I understand that the threaded bolt is the structure but do I stop the scaff bar from moving about?
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 22, 2005
    #4
  5. amazingtrade

    zanash

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2003
    Messages:
    3,826
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Notts.
    cut a disc to fit the scaf pole then glue bolt or screw to the bass plate, drill a hole through both to accept the threaded rod...... 16mm should be ample.
     
    zanash, Aug 22, 2005
    #5
  6. amazingtrade

    Anex Thermionic

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2005
    Messages:
    1,434
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    London
    I did some all mdf ones a while ago, just copied the Russ Andrews design, sound pretty good and really easy to knock together.
     
    Anex, Aug 22, 2005
    #6
  7. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    I am having problems getting the rods and bolts at the moment but I know where I can them from its just the logistics, they are bit heavy for the bus :D

    I have cut the bases anyway, they are not perfect but I had to use an old worktop and they are difficult to cut using a jig saw.

    I've bought a black drain pipe so I will use that for the scaff bar and fill it with sand. They should be pretty solid when they are done for a cost of less than £20 inc paint and sand :D
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 22, 2005
    #7
  8. amazingtrade

    Bob McC living the life of Riley

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    1,196
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Sunny Cheshire
    why have you bought drainpipe? I thought you had metal tubes in the shed.

    Bob
     
    Bob McC, Aug 22, 2005
    #8
  9. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    I had a small one but it 18mm one, the idea is to use a threaded rod instead to connect both the bases together then use the drain pipe so I can fill it with sand.
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 23, 2005
    #9
  10. amazingtrade

    Decca

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2003
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Cumbria
    I had a friend make a stand for me many years ago which held the speaker top and bottom. Very industrial looking but it did transform the sound quality
     
    Decca, Aug 23, 2005
    #10
  11. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    I've built them now, my tweeters are nearer to my ear and they now have more space to breath. The result is much much more detail I was very surprised how much stands can mkae a difference in this regard, I can hear things I've never heared with my headphones (my headphones cost as much as my speakers too).

    The bass has tightened up a little but its still a tad lacking but the vocals sound more natural and the treble detail is better.

    Best of all though I now have a soundstage, which was lacking before as my speakers were far too low down and close to each other. The speed of things have improved a lot as well, my sister commented on that, the instruments just sound for consise.

    They look quite good for a cowboy job consisting of a £1.20 drain pipe, £1.20 worth of sand, £18 worth of rods and nuts, a bit of old spare worktop and timber (for the bottom base).

    I will post a picture when I get some new batteries for my digitial camera.

    Total cost of my 100m metre stands? £22 :D
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 23, 2005
    #11
  12. amazingtrade

    themadhippy seen it done it smokin it

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    1,118
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    by the cross
    Bloody hell AT what size room you got?
     
    themadhippy, Aug 24, 2005
    #12
  13. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    Its quite small, so much so that I don't have a chair, my beds also quite high as it has storage underneath it, so with normal side stands the speakers are virtualy are too low down.
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 24, 2005
    #13
  14. amazingtrade

    Dev Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,764
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Ilford, Essex, UK
    AT, I think you need to read Hippy's ( and your?) post again:).
     
    Dev, Aug 24, 2005
    #14
  15. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    Oh yes sorry, I forget to mention that I live in a 600ft tall building with no floors :D
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 24, 2005
    #15
  16. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    Here is a picture taken at a funny angle

    [​IMG]

    I just need to sort out some spikes now :D
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 24, 2005
    #16
  17. amazingtrade

    Sir Galahad Harmonia Mundi

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2004
    Messages:
    586
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Paris
    Your bed must really be the high type :D
     
    Sir Galahad, Aug 24, 2005
    #17
  18. amazingtrade

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Manchester
    you unt :)

    Look I did again I missed out the C :D Sorry :)
     
    amazingtrade, Aug 24, 2005
    #18
  19. amazingtrade

    mosfet

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2005
    Messages:
    387
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'd try losing one set of spikes (either base plate or top plate) and replacing with a material that achieves some degree of de-coupling. Platfoam or 12mm neoprene strip (both available from studio spares) as example.

    There's a thread over on Studio Tips forum at the moment 'DIY studio monitor stands' that describes this approach and the reasoning for doing so.

    http://forum.studiotips.com/viewtopic.php?t=1850
     
    mosfet, Aug 24, 2005
    #19
  20. amazingtrade

    zanash

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2003
    Messages:
    3,826
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Notts.
    This is an old idea .......but has many merits. though a down side is increased insability.

    the idea of three spikes is also good .....replacing one with a compliant material will change the energy transmission considerably. This will have a corresponding efect on the percieved sound......as to good or bad ,that probabley down to personal taste.
     
    zanash, Aug 25, 2005
    #20
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.