Sound anchors vs. B&W stands

[roundmound]

Is there a preference on stands for the 805s among the experts of this forum? Suggestions on other brands are also welcome. Thanks for any responses and maybe when I become more knowledgeable I can begin to answer some of the mundane posts like mine.

[BlazeMaster]

well, have you seen the build quality of either options? The stock ones for the 805s are about $600 right? The most expensive Sound Anchor ones are less than the B&W ones. BTW: there's no mundane posts when it comes to things like this. We all try to help in any way we can. I don't think you can find any flaws with the Sound Anchor ones, one of the more popular high-end AV furniture manufactures. I'm sure you've seen the ready-made ones for B&Ws on their page. So I think most of it depends on the looks and which you prefer. I personally would take the Sound Anchor ones, because they're cheaper and with much better reputations. B&W's stands aren't made by B&W, they are made by some licensed manufacture. They do seem rock solid with the 805s on them. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Just that $600 are a little bit too much to pay just for stands, IMO.

[roundmound]

Thanks Blaze.

I have not seen either model, but both stands are relatively close in retail price (B&Ws at $600 and Sound Anchors at $510), hence my quandry. I am shopping more for damping effectiveness than appearance and your endorsement of the sound anchors certainly clarifies matters.

[BlazeMaster]

damn....which one are you going with on the Sound Anchor that goes for $510? Must be one of those 4-post ones...just curious, did you shoot them a e-mail and ask them the difference in sound quality between the 3 and 4 post ones? I doubt you'll hear much difference in sound quality by taking away one of the posts. I have the Sound Anchor Center Channel stand that I picked up used at Audiogon a while bak for around $150 ($250 brand new). I can vouch for the stablity of the center stand myself. I have the LCR600 on it and I have 2 puppies running around the apartment and I'm not one bit worried about the stand getting knocked over. I'd literally have to push it really hard to knock it over. The weight of the stand plus the 20lb speaker is more than the weight of both puppies combined. Not sure how tall you need it, but I've seen a pair of 20'' 3 posts ones on videogon.com, here's the link http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.p...233&class&3&4& might be the older ones, since the post are round. If you're not in a hurry, you'll see them on audiogon from time to time, but then again, everyone else sees them and wants them too.

[caleb]

I find that the B&W stand for the 805's looks classier than the sound anchor.

If you fill the stand with lead shot and very fine sand to fill up the spaces between the lead shot you end up with a stand and speaker combo that weighs in at over 40 kilos.

Very good, and solid stand.

Caleb

[roundmound]

Thanks Blaze and caleb.

The sound anchor stands to which I referred are ones specifically made for the Nautilus 805s. Since both stands are quality products and equally priced, I will base my purchase on aesthetics and resale desiribility. Also, I scan audiogon and ebay regularly for such items, and the choices are few and far between. Now to spend some money.

Thanks,
Darin

[greggz]

My vote is for the B&W stands (which I own). I'm not really that fond of the Sound Anchors with the 805's - strictly for aesthetic reasons. The 805's are mostly curved surfaces. The Sound Anchors are absent of any curves at all.

[DanR]

Sound Anchor stands are great for the floorstanders but dreadfully ugly for the bookshelf speakers(though they do work wonderfully). Stick with B&W stands if aesthetics is a primary concern. Sonically I would choose the Sound Anchors.

[roundmound]

Sound anchor stands for the 805Ss were ordered yesterday. The gentleman at Sound Anchors was very informed on and complimentary of both the B&W and SA stands, which was refreshing. If the SA stands are not aesthetically pleasing, maybe some type of treatment (drape, cover, etc.) to match future room treatments is in order. If not, they could be returned and B&W stands ordered.

Thanks for all the informative responses.

Darin

[BlazeMaster]

Didn't know the Sound Anchors can be returned since they're usually made to order.

[perato]

I have B&W 705 speakers on Studiotech SP-24 stands filled with lead shot. This a much cheaper alternative. I bought one pair of stands from Amazon last year for US$90 and I bought lead shot from a local store. I then modified the stands using wood and bolts from Home Depot to attach the speakers to the stand. The speaker/stand combination weighs about 55 lbs. and I only filled the stands about 75% full. If you are willing to spend US$500 to US$600 go ahead, but there are cheaper alternatives.