Setting up a studio space can get expensive. There is a lot of gear you need, but you don’t always need to spend exorbitant amounts. In this review, we check out the On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P. An affordable and flexible set of stands for your studio monitors.
On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P
Flexibility
Stability
Build Quality
Value
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P instantly caught my eye due to the low price. But do these cheap studio monitor stands deliver in terms of performance and features? Check out the highlights before we dive into the details.
PROS
- Flexible Pin Lock System
- Durable Construction
- Narrow Profile
- Affordable
CONS
- Not Great For Uneven Hard Floors
Features
The SMS6000-P is a slimline set of studio monitor stands. The clean all-black look blends perfectly into most studio setups. The triangular base keeps things simple and allows for easy placement in your desired position. These are a great choice for more cramped situations where space is at a premium.
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P have a lot of great features but they are not without a few small issues. Below we take a deeper look at these aggressively priced studio monitor stands.
Flexibility
When it comes to height you’ll have the option to have these stands sit at 36″ to 54″ (92.7cm – 137.1cm). The flexible pin-lock system allows you to adjust the height in increments of 4-inches (10.1cm).
The pin-lock system allows you to set your preferred height with ease.
This system ensures your stands remain at your desired height without any fear of your speakers sliding down. But it also means there are some gaps between potential height options. Depending on your height and studio setup you may find these sit either a little too high or a little too low. The sweet spot of direct tweeter placement with your ears may not always be possible. But most people should be able to have these fit their needs.
This pin system also allows you to swivel the top pole so you can get to the back of your speakers. A convenient touch when you need to power on or adjust tuning options.
Stability
These studio monitor stands also offer a decent level of stability. There is little sway, especially at lower-height settings. But the higher you go the more instability you’ll introduce. Hard to avoid when you are using a single pole-based stand system.
The leveling spikes are great for securing the stands to the carpet.
When anchored to your carpet these are extremely unlikely to tip over. Even on hardwood floors, they sit comfortably. Though as with all stands a decent knock and these will tip over.
Leveling is also easy on carpeted floors. The included adjustable leveling spikes offer a firm and precise fit with plenty of flexibility to get the correct level.
But when it comes to hardwood floors the small rubber feet don’t offer a lot of adjustment. If you have an uneven hardwood floor you’ll have a hard time getting these stands level. I would have liked longer threaded feet. But for most studio spaces you shouldn’t have an issue.
With a weight rating of 90 lbs. (40.8kg) they can handle larger and heavier speakers. But without any way to secure your monitors, I’d be hesitant to place anything overly heavy on these stands.
Cable Management
The SMS6000-P offers very basic cable management. Each stand features a small plastic clip. It’s not the best quality and can only handle one cable. I’m glad they have included it but it’s not as elegant as the cable management options you’ll find on more expensive stands.
Build Quality
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P features a tough all-steel and arc welded construction. These are solid stands that weigh in at 24 lbs. (10.8kg). The moment you take these out of the box you’ll instantly feel how sturdy these are.
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P is tough and durable.
The included leveling spikes are good quality and the pin system is also well-executed. Some people have reported that some of the pinholes are a little on the smaller side. I didn’t encounter this problem and it seems to be a very rare occurrence. But I’d suggest buying from a reputable seller just in case you run into an issue.
The SMS600-P has thin rubberized pads for your monitors to sit on.
The pads on the monitor stand are very thin. It does reduce vibrations but it’s no match compared to isolation padding. Despite the thinness, the rubberized pads do offer a secure non-slip surface for your monitors.
For monitor stands at this price point these exceed expectations. Solid, quite stable, and good quality.
Dimensions
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P offers a slim profile that can easily tuck into tight spaces. The base size isn’t space-hungry while maintaining a good level of stability.
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P is a flexible studio monitor stand.
Plenty of height options and the large monitor plate offer flexibility for placement. These are narrow yet versatile. A must-have for smaller studios.
Value
The most appealing aspect of the On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P is the aggressive price point. Setting up a studio can be expensive. These stands are great value while still offering a bunch of excellent features. The tough construction also ensures these will last you a long time. If you want a capable set of floor-based studio monitor stands the SMS6000-P is a good choice.
Customer Reviews
The On-Stage SMS6000-P is a popular set of studio monitor stands. The affordable price point along with the solid build quality has made it a favorite for budget-conscious buyers. Plenty of 4 and 5-star reviews.
Hit The Sweet Spot
When setting up a studio the placement of your monitors is one of the most important elements. Even great-sounding monitors won’t reach their full potential if positioned incorrectly. For ideal accuracy when mixing you want the tweeter to sit at ear height. It’s also ideal for them to be directly facing you on an angle.
Your ears should line up with the tweeter of your studio monitors.
But not every studio has the capacity for this type of placement. That’s where stands come in. They allow you to raise your monitors to the correct position. It doesn’t matter if you use floor or desk stands as long as you get the height right. If you do have a small workspace you may prefer floor-based stands. This frees up space on your desk while still allowing you to get optimal placement.
Other Options
If you are looking for monitor stands there are a range of options available. Here are some alternatives to the On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P.
Gator Frameworks GFW-SPK-SM50 Review
The Gator Frameworks GFW-SPK-SM50 is a very similar floor stand to the SMS6000-P. It also maintains an affordable price point.
- The pin-locking system gives you height options of 31″ to 50″ high.
- Large and sturdy base along with all-metal construction.
- Not ideal for larger monitors due to the increased amount of sway.
Ultimate Support MS-80B Review
If you prefer a desktop-based monitor stand the Ultimate Support MS-80B is a great budget option. Flexible positioning and good build quality without a big price tag.
- Angle adjustable so you can achieve the perfect sweet spot.
- Tough build quality. Lightweight yet able to handle studio monitors up to 75 lbs. (34.1 kg).
- Isolation pads do a reasonable job of buffering vibrations but will still struggle with loud bass.
Argosy Spire 360i Review
If budget isn’t a concern the Argosy Spire 360i is among the best floor-based studio monitor stands available today. Excellent construction and great features.
- Includes IsoAcoustics speaker decoupling technology for better bass response and imaging.
- Solid and stable construction offers plenty of security for your monitors.
- Expensive option and doesn’t offer height adjustment.
Should You Buy?
The On-Stage Stands SMS6000-P is an excellent budget studio monitor stand. The build quality is higher than you’d expect for stands at this price point. Add in the flexibility of adjustable height and you have a stand that is capable in a range of potential studio spaces. While missing a few of the bells and whistles of more expensive stands these are excellent value. A great choice for floor-based stands, especially good for carpeted studios with smaller monitors.