Yes, if you have bookshelf speakers and want them to sound their best. A good stand does three things a shelf or sideboard cannot: it lifts the tweeter to ear height, it holds the speaker rigidly so the cabinet's energy is not passed into hollow furniture, and it lets you place the speakers exactly where they sound right. The result is clearer treble, tighter bass and a sharper stereo image. Floorstanding speakers do not need stands. This guide explains why stands matter, how tall they should be, and which Wharfedale stand fits your speakers.
Why stands make a difference
- Height. A speaker's tweeter sends its sound out in a fairly narrow beam. On a low sideboard it fires at your chest and the detail is lost. On a stand it is level with your ears.
- Rigidity. A hollow cabinet or shelf vibrates along with the speaker and adds its own boom to the bass. A solid steel stand keeps the speaker still, so the bass is tighter and better defined.
- Placement. Stands let you pull the speakers away from the wall and set them up in a proper stereo triangle, wherever your furniture is.
- Tidiness. Many stands have cable management, so the speaker wires run down inside or behind the column.
How tall should speaker stands be?
Aim for the tweeter to be at, or just below, your ear height when you sit in your usual seat. For most sofas and chairs that is about 90 to 110 cm from the floor. Subtract the distance from the bottom of the speaker to its tweeter, and you have the stand height you need. Wharfedale's matching stands are designed around their own speakers, so they put the tweeter close to the right height without any maths.
Wharfedale stands and the speakers they match
| Stand | Designed for | Height | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVO 5.1 Stands | EVO 5.1 | 633 mm (on spikes and feet) | High-carbon steel, spiked base, rubber feet included |
| EVO 5.2 Stands | EVO 5.2 | 478 mm (on plinth) | High-carbon steel, spiked base, rubber feet included |
| Aura 2 Stands | Aura 2 | 485 mm (on plinth) | Steel top and base plates, spiked base |
| Elysian 1R Stands | Elysian 1R | 476 mm (on plinth) | High-carbon steel tube, spiked base |
| Elysian 2R Stands | Elysian 2R | 474 mm (on plinth) | High-carbon steel tube, spiked base |
| Elysian CR Stand | Elysian CR centre | 496 mm (on plinth) | High-carbon steel tube, spiked base |
| ST1 Stands | Diamond 200 series, and other small to mid-sized bookshelf speakers | See product page | Integrated cable management |
| WH-ST3 Stands | General bookshelf speakers | See product page | Vibration control and precise alignment |
Stand heights differ because each one is matched to the size of its own speaker. See all speaker stands.
Setting stands up properly
- Spikes or feet. Use the spikes on carpet, where they push through to the floor beneath. On timber, tiles or stone, use rubber feet or spike shoes to protect the floor.
- Level them. Adjust the spikes so the stand does not rock. A stand that wobbles undoes most of the benefit.
- Couple the speaker. Small adhesive pads or a little reusable putty between the stand's top plate and the speaker stop it sliding and buzzing.
- Position them. Set up a stereo triangle, with the speakers and your seat about equal distances apart. Our stereo guide shows how.
Frequently asked questions
Do speaker stands really improve sound?
Yes, noticeably for most bookshelf speakers. Getting the tweeter to ear height and taking the speaker off resonant furniture gives clearer detail, tighter bass and a better stereo image.
Can I put bookshelf speakers on a shelf instead?
You can, but expect boomier bass and less precise imaging. If you must, use a solid shelf, bring the speakers to the front edge and put isolation pads underneath.
Do floorstanding speakers need stands?
No. They are designed to stand on the floor at the right height. Use their spikes or feet and level them.
Do I have to use the matching Wharfedale stand?
No, but the matching stand is designed for that speaker's size, weight and tweeter height, so it gets everything right without guesswork.
Should I fill speaker stands with sand?
Only if the stand's maker says the columns are designed to be filled, so check the instructions for your stand. A rigid, well-built stand that does not rock matters more than added mass.
Not sure which stand suits your speakers? Ask us, or read our guide to the best Wharfedale bookshelf speakers.
