Do bookshelf speakers need stands?

They need their tweeters at ear height and their cabinets off resonant furniture — stands are simply the cleanest way to get both. On a shelf or desk, the boundary boosts bass unevenly and the surface re-radiates cabinet vibration. If a desk is the reality, angle the speakers to aim tweeters at your ears and add isolation pads; the improvement is not subtle. Budget stands work fine — mass and height matter more than brand.