What's with the short speaker stands?

Low stands can have benefits.

Locating closer to floor usually helps bass response.

Also, especially in smaller rooms, locating closer to floor with a slight upward tilt can improve sound stage and imaging by delaying and modifying reflections somewhat.

Upward tilt is optional depending. In some cases you want more direct tweeter exposure for best results, in others not. Nothing is set in stone.

The only way I was able to get good sound in my wifes sonically challenged 12X12 cathedral ceiling sunroom was using smaller monitors (triangle Titus) on very short Isoacoustic brand stands. These were the key to getting bass that was articulate as well as strong in that room.

It took me a long time to figure out to try this but glad I did.

Image height might be different or not. Room acoustics can still result in a large soundstage. At least that is what I have found in the sunroom, which is very lively with windows on three sides, vaulted ceiling and tile flooring over suspended plywood. In the room directly below, same size but more typical, I run other monitors on more typical height stands. No soundstage or imaging qualms with either for me. It all depends. Sometimes it turns out worthwhile to go outside the box, especially in more challenging or atypical rooms accordingly.

These are the isoacoustics stands I used

http://www.amazon.com/IsoAcoustics-1004209-ISO-L8R155-Medium-Pair/dp/B008GOP79G

A key attribute of these is they isolate the speakers from their foundation i.e. Floor shelf or desk rather than couple them. They also adjust to multiple height and tilt. Very cost effective and versatile. They made a huge difference for versus the alternatives almost more so than any other tweak I have applied in recent years. If your bass is fat and not articulate or you are not getting the imaging and detail possible then these may be the ticket. Available on Amazon and easily returned if needed I believe. Two emphatic thumbs up.

I'm interested to hear how others make out at home with the Isoacoustics especially used as floor stands.

Keep in mind that they come in several sizes and provide some info for which fit various popular speaker models best so be sure to take a look at that.