Gallo 3.1.....mapleshade or brightstar stands?

Sound Anchors could probably make you some stands that might save you some money on your project. I had some made for a pair of speakers once and was pleased with them.

Templetech, actually the custom sand-filled stands that I had made for my Gallos LOOKED better than either, but neither they nor the Bright Stars offer the mass and damping/coupling that (I think) make all the difference.

Dopogue...did you hear the Gallos on Bright Stars? I agree the Mapleshades look a lot better but aesthetics aren't as important as sound or $$$?

The 4" thick maple stands Mapleshade used to sell for the Reference 3 and 3.1 are simply outstanding. They transformed my Ref 3s so totally that another Ref3 owning friend bought a pair immediately. They give the speakers a stronger, more authoritative lower midrange and bass and have no downsides at all IMO. Yes they're pricy (near $800 as I recall), but as far as I'm concerned they are worth every penny.

Earlier I had special stands crafted for the Ref 3s by Stein Audio because I wanted to raise the speakers farther off the ground. but didn't like the looks of the Bright Star stands. They were okay but nothing like the Mapleshade ones.

I bought a pair of Mapleshade from a Gallo 3.1 owner so apparently he didn't like them; I was using them on another speaker so no help there. Just about any speaker benefits from good stands, even most floor standers.