My speakers were transformed
09/26/2026
Many years ago I purchased a small Samson rack and several platforms. At that time I owned a clear audio emotional turntable, an audio research ph3se phonostage, a rogue magnum 99 preamp, and rogue m120 mono blocks. I was amazed at the transformation of the system. The background became quieter/blacker, highs became more clear, the bass was tighter and gained depth. When I was forced to sell that system I only kept two key parts: the power conditioning system, and everything I purchased from Mapleshade.
Fast forward 18 years. I find myself purchasing a new system. This time it consists of a Lumin p1 streaming DAC, McIntosh c12000 preamp, and McIntosh mc611 mono blocks, and a pair of McIntosh ML1 speakers. After my former experience with Mapleshade products I knew my system wouldn’t be complete without all the accessories available. Not only did I purchase additional platforms, and brass footers, but Mapleshade also built custom Gibraltar speaker stands and custom additional shelves allowing me to expand on the older rack I still owned. The experience with rack and platforms was as expected. Maybe it had been too long, so long that there I forgot something. Then my Gibraltar stands came.
I had forgotten the true magic. The magic that Mapleshade products bring out in a stereo that don’t seem believable. As soon as I had turned on the stereo just moments after installing the speakers onto the Gibraltar stands the first notes played. My wife turns around and says “there is no way just what those speakers are sitting on made that much of a difference. What else did you do?!” It sounded as if I had installed subwoofers. The total range of the speakers appeared to increase. The entire room filled with energy. This was the magic I remembered only at scale. My speakers were transformed.
I couldn’t be happier with my new Mapleshade gear. Not only do they make fantastic products that deliver everything they promise, their service cannot be beat. I will be telling any and all who will listen to be sure to give their beautiful looking and sounding gear a try! - Ben K.
A quantum move up in performance, not subtle in any way
1/29/2015
A quick note of thanks for the time you spent helping me configure new speaker stands for my KEF Refs. Received the entire shipment two days ago and have completed the setup. First Observation - the speakers look worlds better lower to the ground and on the Maple Gibraltars. They simply disappeared from the room and no longer dominate the space. I never cared much about the WAF she gets her jewelry, I get my audio equipment and neither of us are allowed to complain about the others indulgences, however I was taken aback when my wife walked into our office and quickly oohed and aahed at the sight of the new Gibraltars. She went on at length about their good looks...Second Observation - with the brass footers piercing the carpeting and the MegaMounts beneath the speakers, the KEFs made a quantum move up in performance. Not subtle in any way. No doubt you hear this feedback often - a leap forward in coherence, transparency, articulation, bass extension and tightness, dynamics, soundstage, etc. Now a more open, full-range, neutral-sounding speaker. Just terrific in every way. Installation was not difficult either. Tried about four tilt positions with the MegaMount til I found the right angle. Must say that for an office environment where you are sitting at a fixed height in a chair and not able to position ones self optimally vis a vis speakers, the abiltiy to fire the speakers to the correct listening height, via adjustable tilt, is a great feature. Like most audio lunatics I am a constant tweaker - sometimes with good efffect and sometimes not. Thats the fun and cost of it. Rarely, and luckily, we discover a tweak that justifies our endless search for better audio performance. I now count Mapleshade as one of those few, truly great finds. And to think it doesnt end here. Next to arrive are your equipment platforms for my headphone amp. Since I also installed some upgraded cables/cords via James at Stefan Audio Art at the same time as your speaker stands Ill have to give some credit there too. Also, thanks to James for referring me to Mapleshade for the stands and platforms. One very pleased and thankful customer. - Brad G
My Totem Mani 2 have never sounded so good
1/29/2015
Just a short not to let you know how much I like the Gibraltar speaker stands; my Totem Mani 2 have never sounded so good. I had Target 4 post, sand filled stands and your Gibraltar blows them away. I would have never guessed at how moving them closer to the floor would improve the sound. I love your uncatalogued with the little improvements you have, most of them worked on my system. Thanks! - Dave R
The Veil is Lifted
12/20/2012
I have owned a mid-priced set of Klipsch floor speakers for years and have been I thought very happy with the sound. In my new setup in my townhouse the left speaker fires immediately into a large leather sofa so my goal initially was simply to raise it up sufficiently for the sound to clear the obstacle. With some back and forth with Mapleshade, we decided on the Gibraltars as the best option. I balked at the cost but eventually came around and ordered them with radiused footers for my hardwood floors and the radiused rear support option. The stands came and I immediately set up the speakers hoping that my investment was warranted, and quite frankly was more than a bit skeptical that a stand could make that much difference. To say I was blown away is gross understatement. Not only did the sound clear the sofa but it was so crystal clear and sharp it was as if I had purchased an entirely new sound system. All muddiness was gone, each instrument had a clarity I had never experienced before and the stereo effect was so enhanced I just sat in the sweet spot absolutely dazzled. I have a very large classical CD collection and have been listening to full orchestral pieces, chamber music, solo instruments and vocals I have listened to dozens of times and each one is as if I am hearing it for the first time. I cant stop listening. My one caveat would be that this setup is not for anyone with small kids or cats since the speakers balance on one triple point brass footer in the front. Movement of this fore and aft allows for minute, but very perceptible, adjustments of the sound. So if you have been vacillating about such a pricey purchase and wondering if the hype is warranted I would say that ignorance is not bliss because when you hear the difference these stands make you will wonder why you didn't do this sooner. - Dave, PA
The best hi fi purchase I have made in ages
12/08/2008
The Gibraltars are now in my system and they are the best hi fi purchase I have made in ages. I am using them in a small bedroom system as a support for a pair of Quad 12L speakers, and they truly have transcended the sound of these. Everything is both bigger and more detailed, with an incredibly large and well focused soundstage, and a sense of presence which gets a n inexpensive Denon / Quad system embarrassingly close to the much pricier setups found in other rooms in the house. Not to mention - the Gibraltars are stunningly beautiful and attract compliments from anyone who sees them. The level of thinking that's gone into these is obviously only matched by the level of craftsmanship. In both looks and sound they are just in a completely different league from any "stand" I've heard before - there just isn't any comparison.
I am truly amazed by these and believe me, I've tested more than my share of hifi equipment over my 10 years of high-end addiction. I'll be back soon for a turntable platform and a few other things - but wanted to thank you already for the incredible quality of the Gibraltars and let you know you have a new Mapleshade "fan" over here in Europe. - Michel J.
