When you are just starting out as a budding DJ novice and are gathering the necessary music and equipment, the idea may come to you that you need to put your DJ speakers on stands. So you are wondering if handmade speaker stands are a good idea or if you should buy DJ speaker stands.
To make the decision to build audio stands easier for you, we’ll go over some of the basic requirements for a useful DJ audio stand. The requirements are: the audio stand must help the speaker project sound throughout the venue space, the audio stand must prevent distortion and loss of sound, and a DJ speaker stand must be sturdy yet portable. Also, if you can get cheap audio stands that meet all the criteria, why make it yourself?
These are the requirements for building quality audio stands that are functional and that you can be proud of:
Speaker stands should help the speaker project and transmit sound.
This is the first and most important requirement. Sound projection depends on two factors: sound absorption and clear sound path. To enable a clear path for sound, the speaker’s audio supports must help project sound above the audience. At the same time, the sound should not be directed at the audience to reduce sound absorption.
Simply put, DJ stands should be height adjustable and their best height is at ear level or slightly higher. Depending on the venue and whether the audience is sitting, standing, or both, you should make your bleachers adjustable anywhere between 4′ and 6′ in height.
Audio support must prevent distortion and loss of sound.
The best way to avoid sound distortion is to have a strong, tight joint from your stand to the speaker. Most DJ speakers have standard 1 3/8″ plugs and some have 1 1/2″ plugs. Be sure to tighten the screw to avoid noise or other sound distortion. Sound loss is minimized by using the smallest possible connection between the speaker and the sound from the speaker. So if the weight of your speaker allows it, choose the smallest possible standard plug size.
DJ audio support should be sturdy and portable.
This is where the material used plays an important role in the construction of DJ audio stands or PA speaker stands. If you thought you could get away with building speaker stands out of wood, think again. With wood, you’ll never be able to achieve the low-weight, high-impact strength that an aluminum or steel speaker stand offers. But with an aluminum or stainless steel construction, you can create a strong yet lightweight mount that is easily transported in a car or truck.
In a nutshell, are you skilled enough to make your own stands? Can you produce DIY DJ stands with all of the above features, sound projection, reduced distortion and sound loss, and robustness and portability? If so, go ahead and build your own DJ booths. If not, buy new DJ speaker stands.