i would say go for the boom stands because they are much bore adjustable, but they do cost more. if you do decide to get booms steer well clear of the mapex b550 boom stand.
i have had problems with this, it is just a pain to adjust, the "turny things" take far too long to loosen there also is a drum key adjustable thing which stops the cymbal from not receeding back down in to the big tube, and mine got stuck so now i can't adjust the boom arm because the "turny thing" is FAR too long (much longer than the others, for some stupid reason) and it gets stuck.
STEER CLEAR OF THE EVIL MAPEX B550!!
the pearl hardware is great though is have the BC-800W boom stand, hasn't put a foot wrong.
by "turny thing" i mean the little things (in the case of the B550 massive) that you erm.. turn.. to adjus tthe height ect.
i just remembered what the "turny things" are called, wing nuts.