Decent stands are vital for getting the best performance from standmount speakers. They ensure drivers are at the correct height, provide vibration damping and offer a sturdy pedestal for your noise-makers. The problem is that they invariably look like the tools mechanics use to lift up cars.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a stand that offered all the sonic improvements without making the lounge look like a garage? Say 'hello' to Atacama's Aurora 6s.
Get inventive
What we have here is a tear-drop-shaped base plate, on which stands a clear-glass column and a heavyweight top-plate. The best thing about these stands though, is that you can fill the main column with anything you like, so long as it's not a liquid or alive (which put paid to our ant-farm idea).
This isn't just an exercise in style, though. Atacama has developed a rubber 'gasket' that goes on either end of the glass column to reduce vibrations, and there are gel pads on the top-plate for isolating and steadying the speaker. There's even a second tube in the centre of the main column for cable management. The good news is that, while whatever you use to fill your Auroras will alter the sound, we didn't find anything that made them sound less than excellent.
Even empty they impress with a fantastically clear, detailed and open delivery. Opt for the pretty, distinctly un-hi-fi glass pebbles (as pictured) and the clarity remains, but extra weight and rhythm is added. Move up to Atacama's own filler, Atabites, and sonics improve again, with even better focus and accuracy.
Different speakers will favour different fillings, but if you make a decision based entirely on styling (think different-coloured sand - very stylish) the Auroras will still be providing your system with a sonic boost to rival the best in this category.
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