I own a quartet of these, as well as a few of its larger sibling, the 1004BAC. The 1004 is in my opinion the best mic stand around: super tall, super sturdy, compact and light. It’s fantastic for location or studio micing, especially for putting a stereo pair or tree up high. The pneumatic cushion and build quality is very good; extremely so for the price.
That said, I’m finding these 1051BAC stands even more useful. They don’t go as high (just over 2m) and don’t have a wide enough footprint to handle heavy mics without help. But for small pencil condenser microphones, they are ideal. I am using them with Rycote quick release adapters and K&M pivot heads and stereo bars, which makes them a snap to set up and position. They can go relatively high, or go low — say for a discreet cello mic. So much lighter, tidier and classier than standard mic stands.
Aside from mics, these excel for myriad purposes: talkback speakers, lights, cameras, a base for various K&M mounts to keep various equipment and cables off the ground.
The best part is that they fold down flat and snap together when not in use, which makes them very easy to travel with. I can fit all 4 in a Peli 1615 Air case, Rycote adapters still attached, and still have abundant room for everything else. And the weight is negligible.
My location work makes me prioritize space, weight and broad utility, but I would enjoy and prefer these even if they just remained at home in the studio. The build quality suggest they will last many years with proper care, and replacement parts are available.
These are an easy recommendation for almost anyone.
[pro tip: the K&M 19mm rubber feet fit these perfectly if you need floor protection; Manfrotto also offers wheels]
