Audio T Verdict
The Custom Design RS200 is a straightforward, sensibly priced speaker stand built around a rigid single-column steel structure.
Its 50mm-diameter support column provides a stable connection between the speaker platform and base, while also allowing the stand to be mass-loaded with Custom Design Inert Filler. Adding the correct amount of filler can increase stability and help control resonance within the hollow column.
The RS200 is available from Audio T in two very different heights. The 610mm or 24-inch version suits many conventional bookshelf and standmount speakers, while the taller 990mm or 39-inch version is intended for more specialised installations where a compact speaker needs to be positioned significantly higher.
A 150mm by 150mm top support accommodates many smaller loudspeaker cabinets, although the speaker can overhang the platform where it remains properly balanced and secure. An optional Acoustic Steel top-plate upgrade may also be available where greater plate rigidity and resonance control are required.
The 3mm CR4 steel base incorporates a cable-management slot, helping the speaker cable pass neatly behind the column. Adjustable M8 spikes allow the stands to be levelled on suitable carpeted floors, with optional floor protectors available for wood, laminate, tile and other finished surfaces.
These are deliberately simple speaker stands rather than model-specific supports. They do not provide dedicated bolt fixing, concealed internal cable routing or the open-frame construction of the FS104 Signature, but they offer a versatile and affordable solution for a broad range of compact speakers.
The current Audio T options are supplied as pairs in Black. Custom heights, alternative finishes, clear-glass bases and upgraded top plates may be available by special order.
Custom Design RS200 Single-Column Speaker Stands
The Custom Design RS200 is a pair of steel stands designed to support compact bookshelf and standmount loudspeakers at an appropriate listening height.
Each stand uses one 50mm-diameter support column, a steel base, adjustable floor spikes and a compact 150mm by 150mm speaker platform.
The hollow central column can be mass-loaded with suitable Custom Design Inert Filler, allowing its weight and mechanical behaviour to be adjusted for the speakers and room.
Audio T currently offers the RS200 in two Black-finish height options:
- 610mm or 24-inch
- 990mm or 39-inch
Choose the Correct Height Carefully
The 24-inch and 39-inch versions are designed for very different applications.
The correct choice depends on the loudspeaker cabinet height, tweeter position, listening-seat height and intended room position.
- Measure the distance from the bottom of the speaker to its tweeter
- Add that measurement to the stand height
- Compare the result with your seated ear height
- Allow approximately 25mm for the adjustable spikes
- Check that the taller stand will remain safe and stable
- Ask Audio T to confirm suitability before ordering the 39-inch version
Why Use Dedicated Speaker Stands?
Standmount loudspeakers are normally designed to operate with their tweeters close to the listener’s seated ear height.
Placing a speaker on a low sideboard, shelf or piece of domestic furniture can alter its tonal balance, stereo imaging and interaction with nearby surfaces.
A dedicated speaker stand provides a more appropriate combination of height, positioning flexibility and mechanical support.
It also allows the loudspeaker to be moved away from rear and side walls, which can improve bass definition and stereo focus.
Single 50mm-Diameter Support Column
Each RS200 uses one substantial 50mm-diameter column between the top support and base.
The single-column construction provides a clean, uncomplicated appearance while giving the stand sufficient internal volume for controlled mass-loading.
Zinc-plated M6 fixings secure the principal stand components together.
All fixings should be tightened evenly during assembly so that the completed stand remains rigid and does not twist or rock.
Mass-Loadable Construction
The hollow support column can be filled with Custom Design Inert Filler.
Adding the correct quantity increases the weight of the stand and helps reduce resonance within the empty steel column.
Possible benefits can include:
- Greater stand stability
- Reduced ringing within the support column
- More clearly defined bass
- Improved rhythmic precision
- A firmer foundation for the loudspeaker cabinet
The effect will depend on the loudspeaker, stand height, floor and amount of filler used.
How Much Inert Filler Is Required?
Custom Design provides a general starting recommendation of at least two 1.6kg bags for a fillable column measuring approximately 600mm high.
Two bags, or approximately 3.2kg, are therefore a sensible starting quantity for each 610mm RS200 stand.
A stereo pair of 610mm stands would require four bags for this starting quantity.
The much taller 990mm version has a greater internal volume and may require additional material. Confirm the recommended quantity with Audio T before ordering the filler.
Inert Filler Is Sold Per Bag
Each bag contains approximately 1.6kg.
Order the required number of individual bags rather than assuming one bag will fill a pair of stands.
Avoid Excessive Mass-Loading
More weight does not automatically produce better sound.
Custom Design advises against excessive mass-loading because it can adversely affect bass timing and precision.
Begin with the suggested starting amount, keep the quantity equal in both stands and listen before adding more.
Where further loading is beneficial, add the material in small and equal increments.
150mm by 150mm Top Support
The standard top support measures 150mm wide by 150mm deep.
This compact platform suits many small bookshelf and standmount loudspeakers.
The speaker cabinet can be wider or deeper than the top support where its weight remains centred and the cabinet is stable.
Check the speaker dimensions, weight distribution and position of any downward-facing port before ordering.
Check Cabinet Stability
A speaker should not be used on the RS200 if it is excessively large, deep or top-heavy for the available top platform.
The standard stand does not provide a model-specific bolt fixing. Suitable isolation pads or securing material may be required.
Optional Acoustic Steel Top Plates
Custom Design offers an Acoustic Steel top-plate upgrade for the RS200.
The upgraded plate is intended to provide a rigid and acoustically controlled platform beneath the loudspeaker.
Availability, current pricing and compatibility with the selected stand height should be confirmed when ordering.
Speaker Isolation Pads
Suitable pads can be placed between the speaker cabinet and top support.
They help protect the cabinet finish, increase grip and provide defined points of contact between the speaker and stand.
The chosen pads must not make the loudspeaker unstable or allow it to move excessively.
3mm CR4 Steel Base
The RS200 uses a 3mm CR4 steel base plate.
The plate provides a rigid footprint for the central column and incorporates mounting points for four adjustable floor spikes.
Steel construction gives the stand a strong and stable foundation without making the base unnecessarily bulky.
Optional Clear-Glass Base
A 6mm clear-glass base option may be available as an alternative to the standard steel plate.
Custom Design specifies glass manufactured to the relevant EN12105-2 standard.
The glass option changes the appearance of the stand rather than its height or basic single-column construction.
Availability should be confirmed before ordering because the current Audio T product options list the standard Black stands.
Adjustable M8 Isolation Spikes
Each stand is supplied with bright zinc-plated M8 isolation spikes.
The spikes can be adjusted using an Allen key, making it easier to level the completed stand after it has been positioned.
Correct levelling ensures that all four contact points share the load and prevents the stand from rocking.
Matching spike covers are supplied as standard.
Using the Spikes on Carpet
The spikes are designed to pass through carpet and make contact with the solid floor beneath.
Adjust the four spikes until the stand is upright, stable and does not move when gentle pressure is applied.
Do not leave one spike visibly clear of the floor or carrying substantially less weight than the others.
Protecting Hard Floors
Bare spikes can mark wood, laminate, vinyl, tile and other finished floor surfaces.
Custom Design offers optional 18mm solid-aluminium floor protectors, supplied in sets suitable for a pair of stands.
Fit suitable protection before adding the speakers or filler, as the completed stands will become much heavier and more difficult to lift.
Do Not Drag the Stands
Remove the loudspeakers before repositioning the stands.
Lift each stand carefully rather than dragging it across the floor, particularly after mass-loading.
Rear Cable-Management Slot
The laser-cut base includes a cable-management slot behind the support column.
This helps the speaker cable pass neatly towards the rear of the stand without being trapped beneath the edge of the base.
The cable remains visible rather than being routed internally through the column.
Leave sufficient slack to allow the speaker position and toe-in to be adjusted without pulling on the loudspeaker terminals.
610mm or 24-Inch Version
The 610mm stand is the conventional choice for many compact bookshelf and standmount speakers.
Custom Design’s quoted height does not include the adjustable spikes, which can add approximately 25mm.
The approximate installed stand height before adding the speaker may therefore be around 635mm, depending on the spike adjustment and floor surface.
The 24-Inch Version May Suit
- Conventional bookshelf speakers
- Compact two-way standmount loudspeakers
- Speakers with the tweeter relatively low on the cabinet
- Typical sofas and listening chairs
- Living-room and dedicated listening systems
990mm or 39-Inch Version
The 990mm version is considerably taller than a conventional domestic speaker stand.
It may suit small loudspeakers used in specialist rooms, studios, commercial environments or installations where the speaker must clear furniture, equipment or architectural obstacles.
Allowing for the spikes, its installed height before adding the loudspeaker may be approximately 1,015mm.
The 39-Inch Version May Suit
- Very small loudspeakers with a low tweeter position
- Raised listening positions
- Rear or surround speakers within selected systems
- Studio-monitor applications
- Rooms where the speaker must clear furniture
- Specialist custom installations
Assess the Stability of the 39-Inch Version
A taller stand raises the loudspeaker’s centre of gravity and can increase the consequences of an accidental impact.
Check the speaker size, weight, floor, room position and risk from children or pets before selecting the 990mm version.
Measuring the Required Height
- Sit in the normal listening position.
- Measure the approximate height of your ears from the floor.
- Measure from the bottom of the speaker cabinet to the tweeter.
- Subtract the cabinet measurement from the seated ear height.
- Compare the result with the available stand heights.
- Allow approximately 25mm for the spikes.
- Consider whether the manufacturer recommends listening on or slightly below the tweeter axis.
A small difference is rarely critical, but a tweeter positioned substantially above or below ear level may alter tonal balance and stereo imaging.
Custom Heights
Custom Design offers a custom-height manufacturing service for installations that cannot use a standard RS200 size.
The manufacturer also lists a 510mm or 20-inch standard version, although this is not currently shown among the Audio T online options.
Custom dimensions, finishes and delivery times must be confirmed before ordering and may be treated as special-order products.
Black Electrostatic Powder-Coated Finish
The current Audio T options use Custom Design’s Black fine-texture finish.
The electrostatic powder coating provides a durable and understated surface that coordinates with most black and dark-coloured speakers.
Custom Design also lists White and other special finishes for selected RS200 versions, subject to availability.
RS200 or FS104 Signature?
Choose the RS200 When
- You want a simple single-column stand
- A 150mm by 150mm platform suits the speaker
- You require a 24-inch or unusually tall 39-inch option
- A lower-cost stand is appropriate for the system
- Mass-loading is useful
- The understated design suits the room
Choose the FS104 Signature When
- You want a more substantial five-column construction
- A larger 165mm by 180mm top plate is preferable
- A 610mm height covers the installation
- You prefer the open-frame appearance
- A 4mm acoustic-steel top plate is required
- The wider system justifies the additional investment
Explore the Custom Design FS104 Signature Speaker Stands.
RS200 or a Manufacturer-Specific Stand?
Choose the RS200 When
- The speaker has no dedicated stand
- You want a versatile universal platform
- The top support and height are suitable
- The speaker does not require bolt fixing
- You may change loudspeakers in the future
- Controlled mass-loading is important
Choose a Dedicated Stand When
- The loudspeaker can be bolted securely to it
- The manufacturer specifies a particular support height
- The cabinet uses an unusual shape or footprint
- A dedicated cable route is required
- Exact finish matching is important
- The stand forms part of the speaker’s acoustic design
Speaker Positioning
Begin with the two speakers placed the same distance from the main listening position.
Where the room allows, use similar distances from the side and rear walls for the left and right speakers.
Moving the stands away from the rear wall can reduce excessive bass reinforcement, while a small amount of toe-in may improve centre imaging.
Make changes in small stages and listen before moving the speakers again.
Safety and Stability
Speaker stands can become unstable if they are poorly assembled, unevenly adjusted or used with an unsuitable loudspeaker.
Before placing the speakers:
- Check that all M6 fixings are secure
- Confirm that the base and top support are correctly aligned
- Level all four spikes
- Fit suitable protection on hard floors
- Check that the speaker is properly centred
- Assess the effect of cabinet overhang
- Keep the stands away from busy walkways
- Consider the risk from children and pets
Do not use the stands if the speaker feels insecure or can be tipped easily.
Assembly and Setup Guidance
- Unpack the components on a clean and protected surface.
- Check that all stand parts and fixings are present.
- Attach the central column to the base using the correct M6 fixings.
- Attach and align the top support.
- Tighten all fixings evenly.
- Fit the four M8 spikes and covers.
- Move the empty stands close to their intended positions.
- Add equal quantities of Inert Filler where required.
- Secure the column after filling.
- Level each stand using the spike adjustment.
- Add suitable speaker pads or securing material.
- Position the loudspeakers carefully.
- Route the cables through the rear base slots.
- Check stability before listening.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Compact bookshelf loudspeakers
- Small standmount speakers
- Speakers without a dedicated matching stand
- Hi-Fi and selected home cinema systems
- Carpeted rooms
- Hard floors with suitable protection
- Systems benefiting from adjustable mass-loading
- Specialist installations requiring a tall stand
Check Before Buying
- The 150mm by 150mm platform supports the speaker safely
- The selected height places the tweeter appropriately
- The speaker is not too large or top-heavy
- A downward-facing port will not be obstructed
- The floor can be protected from the spikes
- The cable is long enough for the final position
- The mass-loaded stand can be handled safely
- The 39-inch stand will remain stable in the room
Custom Design Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Pair of single-column speaker stands
- Designed for bookshelf and standmount loudspeakers
- 610mm or 24-inch option
- 990mm or 39-inch option
- Custom heights may be available
- 50mm-diameter central support column
- Mass-loadable column construction
- Compatible with Custom Design Inert Filler
- Approximately 3.2kg starting quantity per 610mm column
- 150mm by 150mm standard top support
- Optional Acoustic Steel top-plate upgrade
- 3mm CR4 steel plate construction
- Optional 6mm clear-glass base
- Laser-cut rear cable-management slot
- Zinc-plated M6 structural fixings
- Four adjustable M8 spikes per stand
- Allen-key spike adjustment
- Bright zinc spike finish
- Matching spike covers supplied
- Optional solid-aluminium floor protectors
- Black fine-texture finish
- Electrostatic powder coating
- White and custom finishes may be available
- Designed and manufactured in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Custom Design RS200 stands supplied as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product contains a pair of speaker stands.
Which heights are available from Audio T?
The current options are 610mm or 24-inch and 990mm or 39-inch.
Does the quoted height include the spikes?
No. Custom Design advises allowing approximately another 25mm for the spikes.
Does Custom Design make a shorter RS200?
A 510mm or 20-inch version and custom heights are listed by the manufacturer, subject to availability and special order.
Which height should I choose?
Choose the height that places the speaker tweeter close to your seated ear level while keeping the cabinet stable.
What size is the top platform?
The standard top support measures 150mm wide by 150mm deep.
Can my speaker be larger than the top platform?
Yes, provided it remains properly balanced and securely supported.
Can the speakers be bolted to the stands?
No model-specific bolt fixing is included as standard.
Is an Acoustic Steel top plate available?
Yes, Custom Design lists an optional Acoustic Steel top-plate upgrade.
What diameter is the support column?
The column measures 50mm in diameter.
Can the column be mass-loaded?
Yes. Custom Design recommends using its own Inert Filler.
How much filler is needed for the 610mm stands?
A sensible starting point is two 1.6kg bags per stand, or four bags for a pair.
How much filler is needed for the 990mm stands?
The taller column may require more material. Confirm the appropriate starting quantity with Audio T.
Should I fill the column completely?
Not automatically. Begin with the recommended amount and listen before adding more.
Can too much filler reduce performance?
Yes. Excessive mass-loading can affect bass timing and precision.
What is the base made from?
The standard RS200 uses a 3mm CR4 steel base plate.
Is a glass base available?
Custom Design lists an optional 6mm clear-glass base, subject to availability.
Are spikes included?
Yes. Adjustable zinc-plated M8 spikes and matching covers are supplied.
Can the spikes be adjusted from above?
They include an Allen-key adjustment facility to assist with levelling.
Can I use the stands on a wooden floor?
Yes, but suitable floor protectors should be used beneath the spikes.
Do they include cable management?
Yes. A slot is cut into the rear of the base plate for tidy cable routing.
Does the cable run inside the column?
No. The base slot provides external cable management rather than fully concealed internal routing.
Which finish is currently listed by Audio T?
Both current height options are listed in Black.
Can I order White?
Custom Design lists White for selected sizes. Confirm special-order availability with Audio T.
Are these suitable for large standmount speakers?
Only where the 150mm top support and overall structure provide safe and stable support. Larger speakers may require a more substantial stand.
Why would I choose the 39-inch version?
It is intended for specialist installations where a compact speaker must be positioned much higher than on a conventional stand.
Is the 39-inch version safe around children or pets?
Any tall speaker stand can present an increased tipping risk. The speaker, floor and room position must be assessed carefully.
Can I move the stands after adding filler?
Yes, but remove the speakers and lift the stands rather than dragging them.
Where are the RS200 stands made?
They are designed and manufactured by Custom Design in the UK.
Can Audio T confirm whether they suit my speakers?
Yes. Provide the loudspeaker model, cabinet dimensions, weight and preferred listening height.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice choosing between the 24-inch and 39-inch versions
- Speaker-platform compatibility checks
- Tweeter-height and listening-position guidance
- Inert Filler quantity calculations
- Mass-loading and resonance-control advice
- Acoustic Steel top-plate enquiries
- Clear-glass base and custom-finish enquiries
- Custom-height enquiries
- Carpet spike and hard-floor protection guidance
- Speaker positioning and toe-in assistance
- Assembly and levelling guidance
- Speaker cable routing advice
- Ongoing product and system support
Contact your local Audio T store to confirm the correct RS200 height and platform size for your loudspeakers.