Regardless of how expensive and high-quality your bookshelf or near-field speakers may be, placing them directly on your desk will cause distortion and blurring of the sound.

This is because the entire surface of your desk vibrates along with the speaker drivers, particularly with bass notes. So the sound you hear is not just from the speakers but also from your desk.

The Burson Launch Pad raises your speaker to ear level resulting in a proper sound stage. 

By using high-density extruded aluminium, eliminating the vibration transfer from the speaker to the furniture.