Audio T Verdict
A good standmount loudspeaker deserves more than a convenient piece of furniture beneath it. The stand determines the listening height, controls how securely the cabinet is supported and can influence the amount of unwanted vibration reaching both the speaker and floor.
The Custom Design FS104 Signature is a serious, purpose-built speaker stand with a distinctive five-column construction. One substantial central column provides mass-loading capability, while four slimmer satellite columns create a rigid open-frame support between the top and base plates.
The 4mm acoustic-steel top plate supports the speaker securely without surrounding the cabinet with unnecessary material. Below it, the 4mm steel base provides a stable footprint, with adjustable M8 spikes helping the stands remain level on suitable carpeted floors.
Adding Custom Design Inert Filler to the central column increases mass and helps damp resonance within the stand. Custom Design recommends two 1.6kg bags for each 610mm stand as a starting point, although the amount can be adjusted carefully to suit the loudspeaker and system.
The supplied 165mm by 180mm top plate will suit many compact and medium-sized standmount loudspeakers. A smaller 150mm by 180mm plate and custom-built options may also be available where a different cabinet footprint is required.
The FS104 Signature is easy to recommend where a conventional lightweight stand would limit the stability, positioning or performance of the speaker. It is particularly useful for customers who want a rigid support that can be tuned through controlled mass-loading rather than relying on a single permanently filled column.
The current Audio T listing is for the 610mm or 24-inch version, supplied as a pair in Black, White or Black with Brushed Chrome satellite supports.
Custom Design FS104 Signature 24-Inch Speaker Stands
The Custom Design FS104 Signature is a pair of specialist steel stands for bookshelf and standmount loudspeakers.
Each stand combines a mass-loadable central column with four satellite supports, creating a rigid five-column structure between the acoustic-steel top plate and substantial steel base.
The 610mm height is designed to position many compact loudspeakers at an appropriate listening level when the listener is seated, although the exact result depends on the cabinet height and the position of its tweeter.
Adjustable spikes, cable management and optional mass-loading allow the stands to be installed and fine-tuned for the room, loudspeakers and floor.
Check Your Loudspeaker Size Before Ordering
The standard FS104 Signature top plate measures 165mm wide by 180mm deep.
The speaker cabinet may extend beyond the top plate, provided it remains stable and is supported safely. However, the stand must not be used where the cabinet is too large, unusually deep or unbalanced for the available platform.
- Check the speaker width and depth
- Check the position of the cabinet's centre of gravity
- Confirm that the 610mm height places the tweeter appropriately
- Check for downward-facing ports or connections
- Confirm that speaker cables can be routed safely
- Ask Audio T about alternative or custom top plates where required
Why Standmount Speakers Need Proper Stands
A standmount loudspeaker is normally designed to operate with its tweeter close to the listener's seated ear height.
Placing it on a low cabinet, desk or sideboard can position the drive units too low and may introduce strong reflections from the furniture immediately beneath the speaker.
A dedicated stand also allows the cabinet to be moved away from rear and side walls, helping the system achieve better stereo imaging and more controlled bass.
The stand should provide a rigid, level and stable platform without introducing excessive ringing or movement of its own.
Five-Column Open-Frame Construction
The FS104 Signature uses one central support column and four satellite columns.
The satellite columns are positioned towards the corners of the top plate, supporting the strongest areas beneath the loudspeaker cabinet and increasing rigidity across the complete stand.
The relatively open structure avoids placing one very large column immediately beneath the majority of the cabinet.
This five-column arrangement gives the FS104 Signature its distinctive appearance while creating a solid mechanical connection between the top plate and base.
Mass-Loadable Central Column
The central steel column can be filled with Custom Design Inert Filler.
Adding filler increases the stand's mass and reduces the amount of empty internal space in which resonance can develop.
This can help improve stability and give bass notes a more controlled and clearly defined character.
The central column is the only part intended for mass-loading. The four satellite supports remain unfilled as part of the open-frame design.
Recommended Filler Quantity
Custom Design recommends two 1.6kg bags of Inert Filler for each 610mm central column.
A pair of 610mm FS104 Signature stands therefore requires four bags for the manufacturer's recommended starting quantity.
Order Custom Design Inert Stand Filler from Audio T.
Avoid Excessive Mass-Loading
More filler does not automatically mean better performance.
Overfilling a stand can alter its mechanical behaviour and may reduce the sense of openness, timing or bass movement within a particular system.
Begin with the manufacturer's recommended amount and use the same quantity in the left and right stands.
Any further adjustment should be made equally and in small stages.
Non-Magnetic Inert Filler
Custom Design's specialist Inert Filler is a non-magnetic, void-dissipating material developed for its speaker stands and equipment supports.
It is supplied in manageable 1.6kg bags, making it easier to divide the required quantity evenly between the two stands.
The stand should be assembled securely and positioned near its final location before filling, as the completed stand will become considerably heavier.
4mm Acoustic-Steel Top Plate
The standard top plate measures 165mm wide by 180mm deep and is manufactured from 4mm acoustic steel.
The plate is precision cut and hand finished to provide a rigid support surface for the loudspeaker.
Its relatively compact dimensions allow the strongest parts of many speaker cabinets to be supported without creating an unnecessarily large reflective surface beneath the speaker.
Alternative Top-Plate Size
Custom Design also lists a 150mm by 180mm top plate option.
Special sizes and custom-built versions may be available where the standard plate is not appropriate for the intended loudspeaker.
Availability, pricing and production time should be confirmed with Audio T before ordering.
The Speaker Can Be Wider Than the Top Plate
A top plate does not always need to match the full cabinet footprint.
Many standmount speakers are designed to overhang their support slightly. What matters is that the cabinet remains stable and that the strongest areas beneath it are supported appropriately.
Speaker Isolation Pads
Small isolation pads can be positioned between the loudspeaker and top plate.
These create a protective contact point, reduce the risk of marking the cabinet and help prevent the speaker from sliding during normal use.
The speaker must remain stable and should not be placed where children, pets or passing traffic could knock it from the stand.
4mm Steel Base Plate
The base measures 220mm wide by 260mm deep and is manufactured from 4mm steel.
This provides a stable footprint while keeping the stand visually compact.
The base is precision cut and incorporates the mounting points for the adjustable isolation spikes.
Adjustable M8 Isolation Spikes
Black zinc-plated M8 spikes are supplied as standard.
The spikes can be adjusted from above using an Allen key, making it easier to level the stand after the loudspeaker has been positioned.
Correct levelling ensures that all four contact points share the load and prevents the stand from rocking.
Using the Spikes on Carpet
The spikes are designed to pass through carpet and make firm contact with the solid floor beneath.
Adjust each spike carefully until the stand is vertical, stable and free from movement.
Do not leave one spike carrying noticeably less weight than the others.
Protecting Hard Floors
Spikes can permanently mark wood, laminate, tile, vinyl and other hard floor surfaces.
Suitable floor protectors should be placed beneath the spikes where necessary.
Custom Design offers optional protective discs and alternative adjustable isolation feet for installations where conventional spikes are unsuitable.
Do Not Place Bare Spikes Directly on a Finished Floor
Check the floor surface before positioning the stands.
Once filled and fitted with loudspeakers, each stand may be difficult to lift without assistance. Fit the required protection before final levelling.
Rear Cable Management
The base incorporates a rear cable-management opening.
This allows the speaker cable to be routed neatly towards the central column and up to the loudspeaker without passing beneath the sharp edge of the base plate.
Leave sufficient slack to allow final toe-in and position adjustments without pulling on the speaker terminals.
The cable should not be trapped beneath a spike, base plate or floor protector.
610mm or 24-Inch Height
The Audio T listing is for the 610mm or 24-inch version.
This height suits many compact and medium-sized standmount loudspeakers, but the correct height depends on the location of the speaker's tweeter and the height of the listener's ears when seated.
The speaker, stand and isolation pads together determine the final tweeter height.
Check the Complete Height
Measure from the floor to your ears in the normal listening position.
Then compare that measurement with the 610mm stand height plus the distance from the bottom of the loudspeaker to its tweeter.
A slight difference is not necessarily a problem, but a speaker positioned far above or below ear level may require a different stand height or listening angle.
Alternative and Custom Heights
Custom Design also lists a standard 510mm or 20-inch FS104 Signature.
A custom-height and custom-built service may be available for loudspeakers with unusual dimensions or listening-height requirements.
The current Audio T online product options are for the 610mm version. Alternative sizes should be discussed with your local store before ordering.
Choosing the Correct Stand Height
The 610mm Stand May Suit
- Compact standmount loudspeakers
- Speakers with the tweeter relatively low on the cabinet
- Conventional sofas and listening chairs
- Systems where the speaker must clear nearby furniture
- Rooms requiring a little extra cabinet height
Consider a Different Height When
- The loudspeaker cabinet is particularly tall
- The tweeter would sit well above ear level
- The listening chair is unusually low
- The stands will be used on a raised platform
- The speaker manufacturer recommends a specific stand height
- A custom installation has unusual positioning requirements
Black Finish
The all-Black version uses a black top plate, central support, satellite columns and base.
It provides the most understated option and coordinates easily with black loudspeakers and other dark system components.
White Finish
The White version offers a lighter appearance for pale loudspeakers, walls and contemporary rooms.
Confirm the exact finish of the central column, satellite supports and plates when ordering.
Black with Brushed Chrome Supports
This version combines black top and base plates with Brushed Chrome satellite columns.
The contrasting supports make the five-column construction more visually prominent while retaining the same principal acoustic design.
Open-Frame or Single-Column Stands?
FS104 Signature Open Frame
- One mass-loadable central column
- Four rigid satellite supports
- Five-column mechanical structure
- Compact acoustic-steel top plate
- Distinctive open appearance
- Controlled rather than universal mass-loading
Traditional Single Column
- Usually one large central support
- May provide a greater filling volume
- Often simpler in appearance
- Performance depends heavily on column and plate construction
- May suit different speaker footprints and budgets
Neither design principle is automatically ideal for every loudspeaker. The cabinet, stand height, top-plate size, room and preferred sound should all be considered.
FS104 Signature or a Manufacturer-Specific Stand?
Choose the FS104 Signature When
- The loudspeaker has no dedicated matching stand
- You want a versatile stand for future speaker changes
- The standard top plate supports the cabinet safely
- Mass-loading and tuning are useful
- A 610mm stand height is appropriate
- You prefer the five-column open-frame design
Choose a Dedicated Stand When
- The speaker can be bolted securely to its stand
- The manufacturer specifies a particular height or angle
- The dedicated plate follows an unusual cabinet shape
- A proprietary cable or fixing system is required
- Matching finish and visual integration are priorities
Speaker Positioning
The stands should normally be placed so that the two loudspeakers and listening position form a balanced stereo arrangement.
Begin with both speakers the same distance from the listening seat and with similar spacing from nearby side walls.
Moving the speakers away from the rear wall can reduce excessive bass reinforcement, while turning them slightly towards the listener can improve central focus.
Make changes in small stages and keep the left and right positions symmetrical where the room permits.
Safety and Stability
The stand must be assembled fully and tightened securely before a loudspeaker is placed on it.
Do not position the stand on an uneven, loose or damaged floor surface.
Large or heavy speakers may require additional fixing or a different stand design.
Speaker stands can be a tipping risk in homes with small children or active pets. Positioning and additional safety measures should be considered accordingly.
Do Not Move a Loaded Stand by Dragging It
Remove the loudspeaker before moving or repositioning the stand.
Dragging a filled stand can damage the floor, loosen the spikes and place unsafe sideways force on the structure.
Assembly Guidance
- Unpack the top plates, columns, bases and fixings on a protected surface.
- Check that the left and right stands have matching components.
- Follow the supplied assembly instructions and use the correct fixings.
- Tighten the columns evenly without overtightening or damaging the threads.
- Fit the spikes or optional feet before positioning the stands.
- Check that each stand is square and rigid.
- Move the empty stands close to their intended positions.
- Add equal quantities of Inert Filler to the central columns.
- Seal the columns securely after filling.
- Level both stands before adding the loudspeakers.
- Fit suitable cabinet pads or securing material where appropriate.
- Place each speaker carefully with assistance if required.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Compact standmount loudspeakers
- Medium-sized bookshelf speakers
- Speakers without a dedicated matching stand
- Hi-Fi systems requiring a rigid speaker support
- Rooms using carpet or suitable hard-floor protection
- Systems where mass-loading can be adjusted
- Black, white or chrome-accented interiors
Check Before Buying
- The standard top plate supports the speaker safely
- The 610mm height suits the tweeter position
- The 220mm by 260mm base fits the room
- The floor can be protected from the spikes
- The speaker and filled stand can be handled safely
- A downward-facing port is not obstructed
- The cable can reach without being stretched
- Children and pets do not create a tipping risk
Custom Design Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Pair of specialist speaker stands
- Designed for bookshelf and standmount loudspeakers
- 610mm or 24-inch listed height
- Five-column open-frame construction
- One central support column
- Four satellite support columns
- Mass-loadable central column
- ERW steel central-column construction
- Compatible with Custom Design Inert Filler
- Two 1.6kg filler bags recommended per 610mm stand
- Four filler bags recommended per pair
- 4mm acoustic-steel top plates
- 165mm by 180mm standard top-plate dimensions
- 150mm by 180mm alternative top plate available by request
- Custom top-plate service may be available
- 4mm steel base plates
- 220mm by 260mm base dimensions
- Rear cable-management opening
- Black zinc-plated M8 isolation spikes
- Spike covers supplied
- Allen-key spike adjustment
- Optional hard-floor protectors
- Optional isolation feet
- Alternative 510mm height may be available
- Custom-height service may be available
- Black finish option
- White finish option
- Black with Brushed Chrome support option
- Precision-cut steel construction
- Hand-finished top plates
- Designed and manufactured in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Custom Design FS104 Signature stands supplied as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product is supplied as a pair of speaker stands.
How tall are they?
The listed Audio T version is 610mm or 24 inches high.
Does Custom Design offer another height?
Custom Design also lists a 510mm or 20-inch version, together with a custom-height service. Availability should be confirmed before ordering.
What size is the standard top plate?
The standard acoustic-steel top plate measures 165mm wide by 180mm deep and is 4mm thick.
Is another top-plate size available?
Custom Design lists a 150mm by 180mm option and may be able to produce custom-built versions.
Can my loudspeaker be wider than the top plate?
Yes, provided the cabinet remains stable and the top plate supports it safely. Ask Audio T to confirm suitability before ordering.
What size is the base?
The base measures 220mm wide by 260mm deep and is 4mm thick.
How many columns does each stand have?
Each stand has one central column and four satellite columns.
Can all five columns be filled?
No. The central column is intended for mass-loading. The four satellite supports form part of the open-frame structure.
Which filler should I use?
Custom Design recommends its specialist non-magnetic Inert Filler.
How much filler is recommended?
Custom Design recommends two 1.6kg bags for each 610mm central column, or four bags for a pair.
Should I fill the columns completely?
Not automatically. Begin with the recommended quantity. Excessive loading can alter the sound and may not provide an improvement.
Should both stands contain the same amount?
Yes. Use equal quantities in the left and right stands.
Are spikes included?
Yes. Black zinc-plated adjustable M8 isolation spikes and matching covers are supplied.
Can the spikes be adjusted after positioning?
Yes. They provide Allen-key access for easier levelling.
Can I use them on a wooden floor?
Yes, but suitable spike protectors or optional isolation feet should be used to prevent damage.
Do they include cable management?
Yes. The base includes a rear cable-management opening.
Can the cable run inside the stand?
The rear opening provides tidy cable routing, but the cable does not run invisibly through all of the stand's enclosed structure.
Which finishes are available from Audio T?
The current Audio T options are Black, White and Black with Brushed Chrome satellite supports.
Are Polished Chrome supports available?
Custom Design lists Polished Chrome as an optional finish, but current Audio T availability should be confirmed before ordering.
Are the stands made from aluminium?
No. Custom Design specifies steel top plates, base plates and support columns for the FS104 Signature.
Are isolation pads used beneath the speakers?
Suitable pads can protect the cabinet, improve grip and provide defined contact points between the speaker and top plate.
Can I bolt the speakers to the stands?
The standard FS104 Signature is a universal support rather than a model-specific bolt-on stand. Custom-built solutions may be available for certain speakers.
Will these stands improve the sound?
A correctly matched stand can improve listening height, cabinet stability, stereo positioning and resonance control compared with placing a speaker on unsuitable furniture.
How should I position the speakers?
Begin with equal distances from the listening position, then adjust wall spacing and toe-in in small, symmetrical stages.
Can the stands be moved after filling?
They can be moved, but the speakers should be removed first and the stands lifted rather than dragged.
Are they suitable for homes with children or pets?
Speaker stands can present a tipping risk. The stability of the speaker, stand, floor and room position must be assessed carefully.
Where are they made?
Custom Design is an English manufacturer that designs and manufactures its specialist stands and Hi-Fi furniture in the UK.
Can Audio T check whether they fit my speakers?
Yes. Provide the speaker model, cabinet dimensions, weight and preferred listening height so the store can assess compatibility.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice matching the top plate to your loudspeakers
- Stand-height and tweeter-position guidance
- Speaker demonstrations on suitable stands
- Custom Design finish advice
- Alternative and custom-height enquiries
- Custom top-plate enquiries
- Inert Filler quantity guidance
- Mass-loading and resonance-control advice
- Carpet spike and hard-floor protection guidance
- Speaker cable routing advice
- Speaker positioning and toe-in assistance
- Assembly and levelling guidance
- Part exchange may be available on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing system and setup support
Contact your local Audio T store to confirm that the Custom Design FS104 Signature stands are the correct size and height for your loudspeakers.