Hi there, I took some of the member's advice here and have added stands for the speakers.
The sound has not improved that much, but my back feels much better now that I don't have to bend over to control the volume.
What has made a significant difference to the sound quality is naming each speaker Martin and Logan. A much bigger soundstage coupled with a much more lively sound. Although, since the name change, I feel my head is much more in a vise like state when listening than in the past?