Got an email from Target yesterday. They finally have the speaker stands in stock. This morning they turned up on my doorstep.
Nearly 40 kg of kiln dried sand later and here they are:


And how does it sound? Spellbinding! My spine has been tingled. Tears have been shed 
It's like having a :band: in my living room 
They've brought a whole new definition to the word 'precision'. Bass is drier and tighter and well defined. The soundstage is huge. The transparency is amazing. There's so much speed (or is that lack of smearing). It's tight! Everything sounds so much more real.
This has exceeded all my expectations.
Happy days 