How To Secure Bookshelf Speakers To Stands (Quickly & Easily!)

Don’t be misled by the name– bookshelf speakers aren’t made just for bookshelves! Since bookshelf speakers are meant to maximize sound in smaller spaces, you should elevate them, whether on a table, shelf, or stand. You’ll want to position your speakers at ten and two o’clock for the best quality sound. Fortunately, you can secure your bookshelf speakers to stands for less than the price of lunch.

Some bookshelf speakers are geared towards enhancing your film experience, while other brands are created with music lovers or gamers in mind. Speaker stands are perfect for creating an immersive total experience to be enjoyed by film buffs or music fans alike. Not to mention, speaker stands can lend a luxury home theater vibe to your small apartment or living room.

First, to secure your bookshelf speakers to speaker stands, position your speaker stands towards the desired viewing location. Fill the stands with sand to reduce movement and to reduce vibrations. Make sure that the speaker stands are level with your floor.

Once you have set up the speaker stands, fill them with sand, rice, or cat litter. Unscrew the top plate from the stand and fill it with sand. You may want to lay down plastic sheeting to prevent any mess.

Sand not only weighs the stands down to keep them from wobbling, but the sand dampens the speakers’ vibrations for quality performance. You want to add weight without making the speaker top-heavy or changing the center of gravity, so start by filling your stands halfway. Many brands recommend filling their stands ⅔ to the top.

If you want to geek out on the sound quality difference, fill your speaker stand halfway, re-attach the top plate, place your speaker on it, and press play!

Then unscrew the top plate again, and add more sand until the speaker is ⅔ full. You may be surprised at the difference in sound quality. You want less vibration, more detail, and more directionality.

Blu-tack is a safe, non-toxic adhesive putty that can be shaped and used in place of tape, hooks, rope, or nails. It’s a favorite for DIY home improvement projects due to its versatility. You can buy a 2-pack online for $6. Better still, Blu-tack doesn’t even leave a mark!

Roll the Blu-tack into your desired shape. Some experts recommend rolling the adhesive into a worm, while some say only three well-positioned pieces are necessary, with one in the back and two in the front.

Arrange the Blu-tack as desired on the surface of your speaker stands. Once the Blu-tack cools, it will lose its malleable properties. You don’t want to move Blu-tack around too much, as the adhesive will become weaker.

Although Blu-tack is durable, it won’t last unless you leave it alone. If you have young children or rowdy animals, Velcro may be a more sustainable option for you to attach your speaker safely.

Velcro will last longer with constant wear and tear but be aware that Velcro has a pressure-sensitive adhesive and will leave a mark once removed. But if you and the kids aren’t going anywhere soon, Velcro is a great option to secure your speakers.

Related Questions

How long does Blu-tack last?

Blu-tack, when used correctly, lasts up to 3 years. As long as you are not constantly repositioning your speakers, you should be able to leave them undisturbed until you decide to relocate them. Blu-tack is not designed to withstand “extreme” conditions– such as a curious toddler or energetic puppy–  so be prepared to supplement it with another adhesive if necessary.

How should I position my speakers to get the best sound?

For optimum performance, bookshelf speakers should sit at the listener’s ear level, usually 2-3 feet from the ground. The speaker stands should be slightly angled in, directed just behind the listener’s head. 

Do I have to fill my speaker stands?

Filling your speaker stands with sand creates a low center of gravity so that even if you bump into your speaker stand, it won’t necessarily fall over. Not only does filling the speaker stand make it more secure, but it enhances the sound quality. The sand acts as a buffer and cuts out any ringing from vibrations. 

Regardless of whether you are a movie buff, music nerd, or gaming enthusiast, putting your bookshelf speakers on stands will allow you to have the immersive experience of your dreams! While speaker stands can get pricey, stands are a serious game-changer.

Speaker stands will enable you to position the sounds for optimum performance. Once you’ve positioned your speaker stands, you must secure the speaker to the stand. Using adhesive putty binds your speakers from toppling over while simultaneously decoupling the sound.