Sonic Fiber SF-SMFS Studio Monitor Floor Stands Discussions | Drop

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Sonic Fiber SF-SMFS Studio Monitor Floor Stands

Audiophile

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Showing 1 of 3 conversations about:

Sonic Fiber SF-SMFS Studio Monitor Floor Stands

RayF

22220

Jan 22, 2021

I hate to rain on anybody's parade here, but I've got two points to make: First of all, I'm speaking as a guy who owns the pair of monitor stands below on the right. I don't know who Sonic Fiber is--so far as I know, both sets below are actually made by (or made for) the same company: Auray (you can find them at aurayaudio.com). I chose the set on the right because I liked the look of them better and as they point out in their description, the open foot design allows you to place them around corners (or the legs of your desk/table) with more flexibility than the less attractive, closed foot design on the left. Both versions are rated to hold 90 lbs and both adjust to heights you'd probably never use. So why the big price difference? I'll come to that later ;- )

I purchased my set for a pair of JBL 300 series monitors I bought right here on good old MD (back when it was good old MD). Initially I thought moving my speakers from the desk, to stands would improve the sound and free up some desk space. I was right on the second point and wrong on the first--here's why: unless you really are running a recording studio, the idea of getting the speakers at precisely the correct height (ear-level) is kind of a non-issue. I don't know what kind of speakers you're running, but for everyday listening, particularly with a desktop system, you're just not gonna realize that damn much of a difference from about 36" (on your desk) to say... 51" (where my ear is). Yes, the sound will be different, but not better. So, do you really, really need them? If you're really pressed for desk space, maybe. My JBLs aren't overly wide, but they're deep and they do take up some space. But to me, the height of the speaker isn't a big deal, but getting the correct listening triangle placement right, is. If your present setup doesn't allow for that, a set of stands might help. Speaking of placement, regardless of the model, the feet do get in the way and can be easy to trip over and a pain to vacuum/sweep around--and being black, they do get dusty! After using mine for a few months I decided they just didn't provide any real benefit, that, and as I've mentioned elsewhere, they really did ugly-up the place. Granted not a big deal in a studio, but for me, the ugly vs lost desk space equation just wasn't worth it. I have a fairly wide desk (92") so dumping the stands and mounting the monitors right back where the came from wasn't much of a sacrifice. Okay, if you've gotten down this far, here's point two: MD's price is nuts. If, despite my advice to the contrary, you really, really want a pair of stands, don't buy them here for sixty-five bucks, for god's sake, buy 'em where I did--at B&H for $49.99 (for the ugliest pair) or for $79 for the better pair that I bought (which are sitting in the garage now).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1134491-REG/auray_tms_135_studio_monitor_stand.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1013657-REG/auray_lms_335_studio_monitor_stands.html But remember, I'm the guy tell'n you not to buy 'em ;- ) ------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: I recently did find a use for those damn Auray LMS-335 stands (second picture above), albeit a (hopefully) temporary one. A week or so back, I purchased a set of Edifier S3000Pro powered monitors. The original plan was to place them in a pair of bookcases (they are bookshelf speakers right?) Wrong--they're 14" tall and weigh a ton! Most importantly, they just weren't designed for optional horizontal placement the way some passive speakers are. As I mentioned somewhere above, speaker stands are only useful if you have a use for them--and all of sudden, I had one. So, that meant taking those stands I had previously decided I had no use for, back into action. They're working, but in my opinion, still aren't ideal (and they certainly aren't any less ugly). As mentioned, these speakers are heavy--6.5" woofers with amplifiers in each on (the net weight listed on the shipping case is nearly 50 lbs. for the pair). The stands can handle weight okay, but I wouldn't call the combination "rock" solid--merely adequate. At this stage of the game I'm not concerned with their sonic performance. The deck plate on each stand just fits the dimensions of the isolation pads/feet under each speaker, so again, adequate but not quite ideal. Edifier makes a very nice set of stands specifically for the S3000Pros and while they undoubtedly a better quality stand, they're still not my idea of good looking. Here's a couple of shots showing how the speakers "fit" on the stands:

By the way--the Edifiers do sound absolutely exceptional. Anyone considering a pair should check out the corresponding Z review, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxuYSqCgqTY So, should you buy a pair of MD's Sonic Fiber stands? My original opinion still applies--if you have a use for them, they get the job done but won't win any beauty contests. Most importantly though, look around--prices for identical units are all over the map. Don't over pay and you won't be overly disappointed.

(Edited)

Fayne

2586

Jan 22, 2021

RayFYeah, I'm pretty sure I'll just stick with my non-adjustable Monoprice floor stands. Less ugly, more stable, and better construction.

Tzamaz

Jan 23, 2021

RayFYes, but do they have a piston fill mechanism with fine Italian engineering and old world craftsmanship? And will Frippertronics sound better at just the right height and angle?

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RayF

22220

Jan 23, 2021

Tzamaz No. Pay attention---I covered that in my comment!

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Evshrug

3772

Community

Jan 23, 2021

RayF@Tzamaz was making a joke... but I will applaud you for your initial post being helpful.

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RayF

22220

Jan 23, 2021

Evshrug I know--I was responding back to him with my own joke. But I applaud your efforts to try and keep up with us ;- )

(Edited)

Tzamaz

Jan 24, 2021

RayFWait, even if I have a 52mm boat anchor on my wrist that will tell the time after the appropriate period of inspection and reflection? Even then, Robert won’t sound better? Damn.

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