10 Best Floor Standing Speakers in 2024

To start the ball rolling on today's reviews, we have a fine example from BIC America's acclaimed Acoustech line. The PL 980 left and right pair of floor-standing speakers are a fantastic place to start looking. In terms of sound, they serve up some of the most dynamic mids we have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Their 3-way class set-up is largely responsible for this mid-frequency response which creates some of the most realistic sounding audio possible. The circuitry and onboard tech have seen an upgrade and produce much more accurately balanced sound, thanks to its new engineering. The design concept was conceived after researching audio imagery.

The duo provides two high-power 8” woofers with two 8” passive bass radiators for extended lower frequencies, which makes a huge difference. The lush mids are handled by a dedicated 5” closed back driver, which helps articulate the important frequencies. They are joined in force by a 6.5” mid/high-frequency aluminum dome horn which is comprised of premium parts. They are high-output and feature neodymium magnets which only add to the great sound quality.

In addition, these floorstanding speakers rest at 47” tall and are beautifully housed in a magnetically shielded hand-rubbed lacquer case. They require 10-300 watts per channel with a peak RMS of 750 watts.

Pros:
+ Horn floor speaker.
+ 3 way class.
+ Articulated mids.

Why We Liked It - This pair actually outperform plenty of options in their price range, competing with high end models that retail for more than double their cost. While they are rather an investment to begin with for some, they are well worth their value.

We couldn't help but open with a premium product, and they are pretty darn near-perfect if your pockets run deep, but we are sure this pair from Pioneer provides a far more attainable audio solution for the less affluent. There's a reason why they're a renowned brand all over the world.

This floor-standing set employs a combination of great features. For example, they use advanced crossover circuitry engineering designed by renowned engineer Andrew Jones, which puts them at the top of their class. They manage to deliver audio quality comparable with high-end performance drivers in a much more affordable package.

This tower speaker pair sits just below the hundred dollar mark. They stand at 35” tall, and are laden with three 5.25” woofers, which provide superb bass response and a room-filling depth. They are topped off with a 1” dome tweeter which benefits from an advanced design created based on custom-engineered, proprietary waveguide technology. The workload is shared among the drivers via a complex crossover that features 8 high-quality components rather than your average, simple crossover. Control your sound and get a superior home theater system with this speaker.

Pros:
+ Triple woofer + tweeter combo.
+ Sophisticated crossover.
+ Curved cabinet design.

Why We Liked It - We are big fans of Pioneer's accessible audio range, and it's not hard to see why. Pioneer is a trusted brand name. This floor-standing pair feature optimization that really raises the bar as far as we are concerned. They embody some of the best attributes of Pioneers high-end models and benefit from several decades of experience too.

Now for a decent 2-way class option, the SL-8 by Cerwin-Vega is another solid choice as far as floor-standing speakers go. It has a classically styled cabinet with a stature of 34 inches. The enclosure features a bass reflex port to ensure clarity in the low end. It has a small footprint of just 10 square inches, ensuring the bottom of the speaker won't take up too much space.

It features one dedicated 8” woofer teamed with Cerwin's newly refined own-brand soft dome tweeter. Between them, they cover a wide frequency response very effectively to produce well-rounded audio, from treble to bass. The woofer is seated in a rubber surround to keep noise nominal.

The tweeter is responsive and performs exceptionally well, ensuring excellent highs. There are cooling methods in place to help with high outputs. The crossover work is sophisticated. The delegation of frequencies is split optimally, and the audio has a rich abundance of dynamic detail. In short, this tower loudspeaker sounds great.

Pros:
+ 2-way class.
+ Compact.
+ Great crossover.

Why We Liked It - These floorstanding speakers are competitively priced against other top brands. These high-quality 2-way class floor models serve up 150 watts of peak power for punchy home audio that gets the party started.

Next, we have an alternative from the skilled team at Dayton Audio that matches the price of the Pioneer pair. These tower speakers are essentially a step-up from their esteemed B652 floor-standing models that are enhanced to provide a more capable bass response.

They don't boast the triple woofers of the Pioneer models, but they are equipped with two dual woofers, which are slightly larger at 6.5” in diameter. This increased cone surface area provides more of a sounding board for bigger, better bass production. Love movies? Turn any room into your home theater with these top floor standing speakers.

The two woofers are joined by a tiny 15mm soft poly-carbonate dome tweeter, which incorporates a ferro-fluid cooling system to enhance performance and protect against overheating at high-frequency outputs.

The bass is further optimized thanks to the bass reflex cabinet enclosure, which helps prevent cancellations and ultimately delivers better clarity audio, free of distortion.

Not to mention, it has a stylish black design that will match any decor color and look great in any living space.

Pros:
+ 2-way class + dual bass woofers.
+ Incredibly present bass.
+ Bass reflex port.
+ Affordably priced.

Why We Liked It - The bass has incredible depth and the tweeters are very efficient. The towers are really streamlined so as not to dominate a room. We like their modern aesthetics as well.

We're back to BIC America to examine the PL89 set, which is a more comfortably priced model from their acclaimed Acoustech Platinum series. People trust BIC America, and it's easy to see why.

These floor speakers deliver the same rock-band level decibels as the sophisticated set we opened today's reviews. They're also a floor-standing horn speaker like their prevailing products.

These floorstanders are around a third of the price point of the first product we chose. This is because they have a little less on board in the driver department. However, they are still constructed with the A-1 expertise, first-class components, and tiptop tech. They harbor dual 8” woofers for boosted bass, and they have high-grade surrounds for clean audio.

The mid/high range tweeter is an aluminum dome horn with neodymium magnets. It also benefits from a very advanced crossover circuitry which provides great definition and dynamics in the mid-frequency ranges at all volumes. Get the sound quality you deserve.

The cabinets are space-saving and feature a bass enhancing port. These speakers are magnetically shielded and the front of the model features gold plated terminals for even finer fidelity. They're much more stylish than others.

Pros:
+ Superb 2-way class set.
+ Great response.
+ Horn speaker.

Why We Liked It - We love everything about this speaker. It's another great tower option from BIC America which provide prevalent bass. It's not as sublime as the more expensive set, but holds its a supreme position among the majority of 2-way class models on the market.

So we saw the perks of a pair of SL-8s from Cerwin-Vega, but how do they compare to the next generation XLS series set? The XL-28 is a moderately priced choice that offers up a little more than its subordinate series models.

For starters, this dual 3-way class floor-standing speaker is accoutered with dual 8” high-excursion woofers with cast frames, and premium surrounds. They are joined by a 6.5” mid-range driver featuring cones formed with mica fiber impregnation. Finally, the highly efficient array is completed by a 1” soft dome tweeter bolstered by a ferrofluid cooling process to facilitate the fast motion exposure.

This admirable arrangement is housed in an elegant ash enclosure that has been calibrated. The superb surround sound setup ensures every part of the spectrum is catered to with care.

The audio produced is high fidelity, rich with texture and crisp detail. The balance and extensive range are deftly managed by its top-notch circuitry and its high-frequency waveguide design. The build quality of these speakers is very durable; they come in at 38 inches tall and can handle 200 watts peak power.

Pros:
+ 3-way class.
+ High fidelity audio with great bass.
+ High performing drivers and cooling methods in place.
+ Advanced circuitry.

Why We Liked It - They are a little more accessibly priced and provide a premium listening experience. The bass is impressive but not overbearing, and the crossover is seamless. All areas are covered, giving a nice natural overall sound. This is why it's one of the best tower speakers on our list.

This high-end deuce from MartinLogans Motion series is an audiophile level model well worth a look at if your budget is a bit more bountiful.

This pair of 3 way class floor-standing speakers are truly something else. They are carefully calculated from start to finish, and all components are of high caliber. They are a remarkably well-crafted elegant cherry wood set that'll look great in all home theaters or living rooms.

They feature a folded motion tweeter, a midrange driver, and a woofer with a rear-firing bass port that work harmoniously in conjunction with their state-of-the-art crossover circuitry tech. The folded motion tweeter has 8 x the surface area of a traditional 1” dome tweeter. This improves the transient response and gives a high-end definition on par with professional high-end studio models.

The mid-range driver is 5.5” in diameter and aluminum domed. It delivers well-defined, rich-resolution audio with depth and articulation.

The woofer also features an aluminum cone and measures 6.5”. Coupled with its complimentary port, it provides exceptional bass with warmth and clarity. The enclosure is just under 37” high and is aesthetically pleasing and beautifully designed.

Pros:
+ High caliber components.
+ Exceptional engineering.
+ Advanced folding motion tweeter.
+ Audiophile level quality sound.

Why We Liked It - These audiophile speakers outperform many similarly priced pairs. Despite retailing just below the thousand dollar mark, they offer great value for money. They serve up audio comparable with models which cost hundreds of dollars more.

Another deluxe model that might catch your eye is this pair of modern floor-standing speakers from Audio Pro. They are priced in a similar region to the fantastic PL-980's by BIC America.

This stylishly sleek set is the prodigious culmination of several decades of Swedish engineering perfection. Their minimalist enclosures shelter a wealth of sophisticated circuitry and mechanics.

The components are first-rate, and the drivers have impeccable performance. The dual 4.5” woofers deliver deep bass, and the 3/4” textile dome tweeter is high performance and formed from cutting-edge woven synthetic materials. They serve up sublime full-range sound, which is abundantly dynamic, but their versatility is a crowning attribute.

They connect to a vast amount of devices and have Bluetooth connectivity, which allows for remote streaming audio with levels of quality and clarity unprecedented in comparison with many other wireless compatible speakers.

Pros:
+ High Performance.
+ Dual bass 2-way class.
+ Versatile connections.
+ Bluetooth ready.

Why We Liked It - These Bluetooth speakers have a number of great merits, which give them a little leverage over the other 2-way class models. Their beneficial built-in Bluetooth means you can connect any device with ease. This model is a paradigm of the progress the electronic audio industry has made with its compact cabinet, deluxe drivers and flashy wireless mod-cons.

Of course, we couldn't review the best floor speakers without considering a cutting-edge pair from KEF. There's a reason why they're such a popular brand. The Q line features some pretty pioneering products that have raised the industry standard time and time again. In its 8th iteration, the Q550 is a ruthlessly refined, floor-standing speaker set that really redefines the archetype.

It boasts the company's ground-breaking proprietary Uni-Q driver array, which has previously been praised in some of our other speaker articles. It is essentially an upgraded rendition of the meritorious Q500 model, which has been enhanced, outperforming all precursors to date.

The crossover features a new low distortion inductor and is more accurate than ever. The enclosures have been revamped and redesigned to boost bass frequencies and maintain cross-spectrum fidelity. The bass radiators have a new rear suspension mechanism for bass perfection.

The low-frequency drivers feature a larger roll-surround, and the tweeters now have a damped loading tube design which makes them extra efficient. The new spiders, along with the addition of a paper cone within the components, all give it a leg up in the level of quality.

Pros:
+ Flawless bass.
+ Premium quality part.
+ 8th gen model with a multitude of improvement.

Why We Liked It - These speakers provide pristine sonic production, rich with layers that blend seamlessly into naturally balanced abounding audio. That's why they're some of the best floorstanding speakers on this list.

Polk provides this great floorstanding tower speaker as an affordable alternative to the more expensive products on our list.

Hot off their Monitor series, renowned for its simple sturdy construction, this pair of re-imagined next-gen floor-standing specimens will deliver the sound results you deserve. They are adequately enclosed in a tapered MDF cabinet. The tapering of the array enhances the audio projection and resonance and does wonders with the lower end frequency management.

The array is comprised of multiple small diameter drivers that work in unison with a dedicated 1” composite, polymer/fabric Dynamic Balance tweeter with a realistic response. The drivers employ neodymium magnets and are capable of high outputs. In addition, they feature great damping methods within the confines of the housing and perform extremely well.

They have double dual bass drivers and are 2.5-way technically speaking, which is not a classification and pretty much unheard of. Both dual bass drivers pick up low frequencies, but one pair handles the mid-ranges as well.

Pros:
+ Affordably priced high performing option.
+ Refined second incarnation of a best-seller.
+ Profound bass presence.

Why We Liked It - These loudspeakers are very well designed. The circuitry is less complex than some, but they still offer great sound precision, and this means they can be driven by even a substandard receiver. Get the sound result you crave.

Floor-Standing Speakers Buyers Guide

What is a floor-standing speaker?

Without sounding condescending, a floorstanding speaker is exactly that: a speaker that stands on the floor. They are sometimes referred to as “Free-Standing” or “Tower” speakers. Size-wise, they feature a larger speaker enclosure, which provides more room and makes them capable of more substantial sound. They are known for their versatility and are the largest available home speaker type, generally standing around 3-4 feet tall. However, many of those we've looked at today are slim or compact options.

Due to its shape, a tower speaker will have superior sound dispersion and fill the room better than a smaller enclosure set which has matching dimensional cones and similarly classed drivers. A floor-standing model actually has more presence than a bookshelf sized set with (for argument's sake) identical drivers and cones playing the same track at the same volume.

This is why they are generally favored by experts and those more serious about sound; they have better adaptability and capacity. Despite their step-up in abilities and size, they don't typically require any extra juice to power. A larger speaker responds with physically less effort to lower frequencies, though there are some power-hungry models floating about.

The extra space these speakers provide is due to the design choice. Since the construct extends only vertically, this means that the footprint can stay the size of a typical bookshelf or monitor speaker requiring only marginally more room than the cone dimensions and their optimal mounting depth.

Though they are generally incorporated into a large soundstage or home set-up for an impressive main, left, and right channel solution, some high-end models are capable of standing alone as left, center, right, and even sound great for the average listener without a sub.

What to look for when buying floor-standing Speakers

As you will have seen from our reviews, the majority of models are designed specifically with better bass production in mind. However, the overall goal is, of course, broad, balanced audio. Woofer cone construction, driver optimization, enclosure enhancements, and crossover circuitry advancements all play a huge role in producing a decent floor-standing speaker.

Modern floor-standing models have an exceedingly good reputation for providing theater-quality surround sound that fills a room (and your ears!) without hogging too much floor space.

Most hifi speakers offer Bluetooth connection. Connect to your phone, your TV, or hook it up to your turntable, and more.

The most important things to check is the impedance and sensitivity, which has to be matched to the abilities of your amp/receiver. If you haven't chosen your amp, then your options are somewhat more flexible. But if you want to look for both together, keep the requirement in mind when you shop.

The cabinet footing is also important. If you have laminate or hard floors, opt for rubber. If you have carpeted rooms, look for spikes. This means that no matter your floors, you can find the best positioning for your new speaker.

Consider the weight of your new loudspeaker. Sure, it sounds great but can you move it to a different room if you need to?

Some speakers will feature USB inputs and more. This ensures that if anything were to happen to your wi-fi, you'll stay connected to your music.

As a top tip, look for an array that offers what you're missing from your surround sound set-up. Only accept premium parts if you plan to part with large amounts of cash, and remember that a floor-standing model's performance is limited by its surroundings and works better in a larger space at louder levels.

Always look for a warranty. Popular brands such as Polk, Yamaha, Dolby Atmos, Elac, SVS, Sony Electronics, Q Acoustics, and Logitech are bound to offer some sort of warranty. Amazon Prime does too, if you decide to purchase from them. This means if there is ever a problem, they will fix or replace it. If a company offers a warranty, it proves they trust their product - and you should too! So if you have doubt about purchasing your new speaker, a warranty will give you peace of mind. Always check the product information on the site or page you're purchasing from; they'll have everything you need.

Conclusion

We have said it time and again: the speakers market is an over-saturated one, so finding a speaker suited to your needs is a sure thing. Narrowing down what you're looking for is the key.

As with all purchases, your budget will determine exactly what you can get your hands on, but the selection we have included in today's article represents some of the best models available. Each is operating at the top of their relative classes. We have chosen a broad enough range to present options for either end of the retail scale. So whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a premium choice with everything you need and more, you can find a top speaker for you.

We have tried to divulge in-depth exactly what the specs provide to help make an informed online purchase.

The floor-standing speaker is the bedrock of any serious sound system, and the benefits speak for themselves. The models available are truly capable of producing great audio, so why not commit to an audio upgrade armed with our buyer's guide advice?

Expert Tip

With their larger stature and enhanced features, floor-standing models provide some of the best bass around. But if you are a serious bass head, try hooking up a dedicated subwoofer to these bad boys. You might find this subwoofer article useful.

Did you Know?

We looked at another great floor-standing model in our 10 best bookshelf speakers under $1000 article. This floor tower speaker is another shining example that didn't make today's review section, but not for lack of trying. The Polk Audio RTI A1 is a great affordable 2-way class option.

If you've enjoyed this review by Music Critic, please leave a positive rating: