Nigel is right on the money. When you have to bend over to pick up a piece of equipment, then carry it in front of you, it is really bad on your back. When the handle is on top, the speaker is carried along the side of your body, which does not make you lean back to compensate for the weight. Lifting them to your shoulder is obviously the best option, which is what I must do in order to place them atop the stands--and that's when the stands are in the lowest position.

Cheers,

Gary