Well.... audio enthusiasts seem to thrive splendidly on the very work you mention. I asked this question because my knowledge is limited and I had a customer request some very pricey custom stands. I didn't want him to spend a lot of money putting lipstick on a pig. Thanks very much for a clear and helpful answer. I will pass the information along.
speaker placement
Does elevating a floor standing speaker significantly reduce bass response? If so, 1) could the effect be reduced by inverting it and placing it close to the ceiling and 2) why do stands seem to be so popular? I see speakers both sold with stands and have dealt in my business with quite a few audio enthusiasts who request custom stands for their systems.