Custom Design SQ 400 review

Excellent stands that will permit your kit to perform at its best Tested at £100

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Excellent stands that will permit your kit to perform at its best

Pros

  • +

    Allowed our speakers to sound livelier, clearer and more detailed

Cons

  • -

    Keep an eye on parts that may loosen

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

You can’t get much more simple than this design: one support, two plates.

The top plates here are acoustic steel, an option that takes the price up from £90 to £100. Our only reservation with the Custom Design SQ 400 is the screws loosening and the parts starting to twist, so keep an eye on them.

Performance-wise we’re very happy. Our Monitor Audio Bronze BX2s sounded full of life, detail and clarity. Low frequencies are definitely full, but with filler this can be mitigated.

There’s a slight notch in the midrange which, when coupled with occasionally boisterous bass, can cause vocal parts to sit back in the mix, but overall it’s an enjoyable performance.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test

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