NorStone Stylum S oak (pack of 2)

Twenty-five centimetres high: that’s the main difference between this stand and most speaker stands, which are often two to three times taller. NorStone, a French manufacturer of hi-fi furniture, uses the steel construction of its Stylum range here in a low-profile format, sold in pairs. It is designed to raise an already tall speaker slightly, lift a small floorstanding speaker off the floor or position a centre speaker beneath a screen.

A low height for speakers that are already large

A speaker stand is primarily intended to position the tweeter, the driver that handles high frequencies, roughly at ear level. This is where sound reproduction is most accurate, since high frequencies are more directional than bass and lose presence as soon as you move off-axis. When seated, your ears are usually between 95 cm and 1.10 m above the floor. A conventional compact speaker needs a stand measuring 60 cm or more to reach that height. A large monitor speaker, a compact floorstanding speaker or a slightly low floorstanding speaker with its tweeter at around 65 or 75 cm only needs a few extra tens of centimetres.

The Stylum S provides this extra height: 25 cm without the spike cups, 28 cm with them. To find out whether it is suitable, simply measure the tweeter’s height from the base of the speaker, add 28 cm and compare the result with the height of your ears at your listening position. The same calculation applies to a centre speaker placed in front of a projection screen or to surround speakers you want to lift off the floor without mounting them on the wall.

Epoxy-coated steel and a wider base for stability

The structure is made of epoxy-coated steel, with a gloss black finish listed in the brand’s technical specifications. A central tube connects two plates of different sizes: the top plate measures 16.5 × 20 cm, while the floor base measures 25 × 22 cm. This base, wider than the top plate, lowers the centre of gravity of the assembly and makes the stand less susceptible to knocks, a point that matters more with a heavy speaker.

NorStone specifies a maximum load of 50 kg per stand, leaving ample capacity for a floorstanding speaker or a large monitor. The rigidity of the assembly also serves an acoustic purpose: a support that flexes or vibrates allows the cabinet to move, which blurs the bass and stereo image. A rigid stand keeps the speaker still and transfers some of its vibrations to the floor through the spikes, rather than allowing them to resonate in furniture or a hollow floor.

Spikes, spike cups and pads: adjusting contact

Under the base, spikes provide contact with the floor. Supplied with spike cups, small metal discs that sit between the spike and the flooring, they can rest on parquet or tiles without leaving marks. They also help compensate for a slightly uneven floor, so the stand does not rock from one corner to another.

On the top plate, you can choose between spikes pointing towards the speaker and non-slip pads. The spikes provide firmer support at a few contact points, but they may mark a lacquered or wood-veneered speaker base. The pads protect the finish and reduce slipping. With a speaker whose base extends beyond the 16.5 × 20 cm top plate, check that its supports (feet, plinth or built-in spikes) sit properly on the plate before installing it.

Integrated cable routing and flat-pack assembly

The speaker cable runs through the centre of the central tube, preventing it from hanging behind the stand and making it almost invisible from the front. Each stand weighs 3.5 kg and arrives unassembled, with the screws, assembly instructions and necessary tools in the box.

Technical Specifications

Construction

• Structure: steel
• Maximum load: 50 kg per speaker stand
• Finishes:
  • Spikes/top plate: towards the speaker or non-slip pads
  • Spikes/base: towards the floor with protective counter-spikes
• Equipment: cable management

Dimensions

• Top plate: 165 mm × 200 mm (W × D)
• Base: 250 mm × 220 mm (W × D)
• Height:
  • Without counter-spikes: 250 mm
  • With counter-spikes: 280 mm

Packaging and Weight

• Dimensions: 300 mm × 305 mm × 110 mm (W × H × D)
• Weight:
  • Gross: 7.3 kg
  • Net: 3.5 kg (unit), 7 kg (pair)
• Contents:
  • Disassembled stand with screws
  • Assembly instructions
  • Necessary tools