I approached the stands with a critical eye. The reviews seemed histrionic and doused with a bit of hagiography, but I heard an immediate difference. I'm not really sure how that is possible, and I'm not quite sure if this is the right phrasing, but everything sounded cleaner. The stands almost added an element that the Monitor Audio speakers had without causing a headache.
Instrumental music, for example, individual sections or soloists just shine a bit more. Hard to explain, but it really is noticeable.
Now I need to jump into acoustic treatment! I only want it to get better!