Whether you are looking to throw an impromptu dance party or to really feel all the sound in the latest thriller, one design of speakers stands out from the crowd to deliver the experience.
Floor standing speakers are typically an enclosed set of speakers that are stacked vertically, all facing in the same direction. They are much larger than traditional speakers and can deliver greater clarity and volume with the right setup.
Page Contents (Click Icon To Open/Close)
Benefits of Mid-Range Floor Standing Speakers
Floor standing speakers are designed to deliver quality audio at higher volumes and frequency ranges by utilizing an enclosure with several speakers working together.
They are meant to be able to be set up either solo or as part of a speaker system but do not require mounting or additional furniture for prime positioning.
Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000 Compared
Image | Model | Max Sound | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Klipsch RP-280F | 98 DB | 32Hz-25kHz | ||
Q Acoustics 3050 | 92 DB | 44Hz-22kHz | ||
SVS Prime Tower | 92 DB | 44Hz-22kHz | ||
Cerwin Vega XLS-215 | 95 DB | 36Hz-20kHz | ||
Polk Audio LSiM 707 Ultimate | 88 DB | 20Hz-40kHz | ||
Fluance Signature Series Hi-Fi | 89 DB | 35Hz-20kHz | ||
Martin Logan Motion 60XT | 94 DB | 35Hz-25kHz | ||
KLH Kendall 3-way | 96 DB | 25Hz-23kHz |
Choosing a Quality Floor Standing Speaker Under $1000
Build Quality & Design
When purchasing a floor standing speaker, it is important to take note of a few things about where you will be placing it in the home. Floor speakers are generally larger and will be seen, not just heard, so you will want to find a speaker made of high-quality material that also fits the space it will be placed in and also pair with the aesthetic of the room.
Audio Performance
Pay close attention to the listed sensitivity rating on the speaker you are purchasing. Sensitivity is the measure of how well your speaker is converting the energy provided to it into volume. A higher sensitivity rating will allow for louder volumes when paired with an amplifier and result in a feeling of a bigger sound.
Connectivity & Flexibility
Most floor speakers are wired, meaning that they require a cable to be connected between them and the source of the audio. Some do have Bluetooth support allowing for them to be connected to by many devices wirelessly. Whatever you choose as your audio source, it is important to place the speakers pointing out toward where you want the sound to be heard and ideally on both sides of any video that may be playing.
Power Rating – Volume, Drivers & Wattage
The power rating for a speaker is the optimal wattage levels for a speaker at its consistent audio level and its peak audio levels. These levels are given to help maximize the speaker’s life and avoid any malfunction due to stress. Similarly, a higher power rating means a speaker can play at louder volumes for longer, and the drivers within the speakers are designed to withstand the louder volumes.
Speaker Specifications
How the speakers within the enclosure are set up will also impact the clarity and volume of the audio produced by the speakers. Whether the speaker is a 2-way or 3-way speaker will also affect the clarity and ability to differentiate between the frequency ranges in the speaker. A 2-way speaker has a tweeter and woofer to handle the highs and lows, respectively while a 3-way speaker adds a mid-range component that amplifies the area between the woofer and tweeter.
Price & Warranty
Warranties on floor standing speakers will vary by manufacturer and the retailer the speaker is purchased from. Still, they generally have more extended warranties than other speakers as they are fully enclosed units and require little to no specialty installation. For this article, we examined floor standing speakers under $1000. However, you can find some for much higher than that range, which may come with additional features or higher quality materials in the enclosure or speakers.
8 Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000 Reviewed
1. Klipsch RP-280F
Our top Pick!
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 98 dB |
Power Output | 150/600 watts |
Impedance | 8 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 32Hz-25kHz |
Warranty | 5 years |
Our top pick is the Klipsch RP-280F, which proves that black is the new black with its limited-edition piano black finish providing a sleek, slim portrait to go with a loud, clear audio experience sure to leave any listener delighted. The enclosure is designed to look good while still being made of a lightweight material to not muffle the sound of the speakers.
Sporting a 1-inch titanium tweeter to let the higher frequencies flow, the RP-280F compliments the tweeter with a pair of 8-inch copper cone woofers to provide the bass bump expected of this impressive tower. A removable grille is included to either let the speakers show off their finish or allow the speaker to look a bit more subtle while you enjoy these speakers for years to come.
Boasting impressive sensitivity and power handling ratings, these speakers can take advantage of an amplifier or provide high-quality audio without one. These floor standing speakers can be easily combined with other Klipsch speakers to create a full sound system to recreate your favorite concert or movie theater at home.
“The RP-280F are outstanding speakers for music and surround sound for movies. Klipsch speakers look very sexy and sound amazing.”
– bass head – Verified Reviewer Klipsch.com
Pros
Cons
2. Q Acoustics 3050
Best Two-way Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 92 dB |
Power Output | 25/100 watts |
Impedance | 6 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 44Hz-22kHz |
Warranty | 5 years |
Q Acoustics has a wide range of speakers and aims to create products that fit within any budget, style or room size, and the 3050 floor standing speaker is no exception. Available in American Walnut or Grey these slender towers come equipped with two six-inch bass drivers in an Aramid fiber/paper cone above and below the concentric ring dome tweeter. The lighter material used on the bass cones allows for more midrange clarity than other bass cones giving these speakers a boost for things like movies or TV shows.
The enclosure of this best two-way floor standing speakers under $1,000 was designed with floor spikes on the bottom to lift the towers and avoid any audio loss due to sitting flush against a floor. These speakers are designed to be the introduction to the 3000 series from Q Acoustics and can be combined with the other speakers in the 3000 series into a more extensive sound system.
On their own, they are still capable of filling a large room with sound without compromising the clarity of the notes. They do have a slightly lower power handling rating than other speakers on the market, so if you are looking to use an amplifier with these speakers, it is best to check the output from the amplifier carefully to avoid any damage due to prolonged use at wattages higher than recommended.
Pros
Cons
3. SVS Prime Tower
Best Floor Standing Speakers for a Small Room Under $1000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 92 dB |
Power Output | 25/100 watts |
Impedance | 6 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 44Hz-22kHz |
Warranty | 5 years |
When it comes to speakers, one size fits all does not really apply to rooms, and picking the right floor standing speaker for your small room can make a big difference. SVS specifically designed its Prime Towers to provide clear room-filling audio without breaking the budget for those shopping for a smaller space.
The Prime Tower is a 3-way speaker packing a 4.5-inch midrange driver in its own compartment, two 6.5 inch woofers in their own space, and tops it all off with a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter meant to stay rigid but light and accentuate the higher frequencies in music.
SVS packed the Prime Tower floor standing speakers with the right stuff and made sure to finish it in either a gloss piano black or black ash finish to keep them understated visually. Still, their targeted pinpoint accurate audio makes their presence heard and felt.
“I bought the speakers based on the reviews they are better than I expected. I have a smaller room and do not need a subwoofer have all the bass that I want from the speakers. The one thing that I read is that the speakers can be bright I have found that they are so good that if the source music is bright then the speaker lets you know it Highly recommend you can not go wrong with these speakers.”
- David R. Verified Buyer – SVSsound.com
Pros
Cons
4. Cerwin Vega XLS-215
Multiple Sizes Available
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 95 dB |
Power Output | 500 watts |
Impedance | 6 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 36Hz-20kHz |
Warranty | 5 years |
Billed as having "'eviction notice' performance," the XLS-215 model from Cerwin Vega certainly takes things to another level with some of the largest woofers in a floor standing speaker under $1000. Twin 15-inch woofers make sure that the bass is felt just as much as it is heard and deliver deep lows unrivaled by other speakers.
Complimenting the massive woofers is a 6.5-inch midrange speaker and a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter designed to absorb the reverberations at higher frequencies and smooth out the audio. While the neighbors may not appreciate the huge sound of these speakers, an amplifier is a perfect companion to really take advantage of the peak power handling rating of 500 watts per speaker.
These speakers are definitely meant to be a head-turner not just for their powerful audio, but the distinct Cerwin Vega red surrounds each cone to compliment the black-ash enclosure. These speakers may be screaming to turn it up to 11, but they are just as comfortable being used for movies, tv shows, and other audio needs. The XLS-215 may not be for everyone, but for someone looking for a big sound on a budget, they are a great choice and will be the talk of your next party.
Pros
Cons
5. Polk Audio LSiM 707 Ultimate
Best Polk Floor Standing Speaker
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 88 dB |
Power Output | 20/300 watts |
Impedance | 8 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 5 |
Frequency | 20Hz-40kHz |
Warranty | 5 years |
Polk is a well-known name when it comes to audio, and it should come as no surprise that they would have enough offerings to need to pick just one. The LSiM707 manages to contain so much high-quality equipment in a sleek wood-lined enclosure sure to fit with most home decors. All this style and substance does come at a premium price; however, as these are just under $1000 per speaker, not per pair like some of the others on our list.
The higher price tag is backed up by a vast frequency range allowing all five of the speakers in the tower to shine when the time is right and product true-to-life audio. A 1-inch round tweeter takes care of the higher range and is designed to eliminate any shrillness. The midrange is covered by 3.25-inch and 6.5-inch speakers and even help kick in for some of the lower frequencies. The bass is supplied by two 6-inch Cassini oval subwoofers making sure that every bit of that massive frequency range is covered.
“These are a wonderful sounding speaker with great detail smooth bass too. Save yourself some money on big named speakers. They will hold their own against speakers more than double the price or more. Only complaint is I wish they had more color options.”
- listen 107 – Polkaudio.com
Pros
Cons
6. Fluance Signature Series Hi-Fi
Best Looking Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 89 dB |
Power Output | 90/200 watts |
Impedance | 8 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 35Hz-20kHz |
Warranty | 2 years |
It might seem strange to focus on the appearance of a speaker, but the Fluance Signature Series Hi-Fi has a reason for looking so darn good. The enclosure is designed using acoustically inert wood to defend against distortion. Fluance did not stop there, though.
They specifically designed the front baffle with chamfered edges to cut down on sound diffraction, so wherever you choose to point these speakers, you can be sure that audio is headed right there. So, when you put so much effort into the look just to make it sound clear, you better back it up with the right hardware, and that's just what they did.
Two 8-inch woofers stand out and produce clean bass that pairs well with the midrange pointed dome driver that is a distinctive feature on the Fluance Signature Series Hi-Fi. To top it all off, the tweeters are made from neodymium, giving them a rigid structure and helps keep the high notes as they were intended without distortion. All of this can be enjoyed with or without the removable grill that allows these speakers to blend in well with the rest of your aesthetic, maintaining a high level of style and sound when in use.Pros
Cons
7. Martin Logan Motion 60XT
Best Audiophile Floor Standing Speaker Under $1000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 94 dB |
Power Output | 20/400 watts |
Impedance | 4 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 35Hz-25kHz |
Warranty | 5 years (with product registration) |
Audiophiles want an accurate sound that is free of distortion, great at low and high volumes, and is almost indistinguishable from hearing the audio directly from the source. Martin Logan put everything they could into the Motion 60XT to make sure that audiophiles need to look no further for the perfect sound in a floor standing speaker. Martin Logan claims the XT stands for extreme, and they certainly went to the extreme when designing the drivers for these speakers.
The unique "Folded Motion" design for the tweeters is something only found on speakers from Martin Logan and designed to squeeze air to minimize distortion and response time, unlike traditional dome tweeters. The Motion 60XT has tweeters 40% larger than the rest of the model line to increase the performance of the tweeters.
Picking up the other end of the frequency range are two 8-inch woofers that pack a punch on the low notes with rear-firing bass ports to enhance the clarity. A mid-woofer covers all the in-betweens of the tweeters and woofers, ensuring that a full, rich sound range is produced.
“The Motion 60xt Floor standing speakers are truly excellent speakers. The clarity & detail on these are phenomenal. The bass is also great. With these speakers you will hear stuff you never heard before. As far as bass, these hit pretty nicely. These speakers are excellent for jazz music & they go great with a Pioneer Elite receiver. When I first listen to these speakers, I was completely hooked on them, they sounded so good, it was hard to shut them off after listening to them for four hours straight.”
Enter your text here...- jjk – martinlogan.com
Pros
Cons
8. KLH Kendall 3-way
Best Single Speaker Under $1000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 96 dB |
Power Output | 250 watts |
Impedance | 8 Ohms |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 25Hz-23kHz |
Warranty | 10 years |
Many of the speakers we reviewed so far have come in pairs, but for those who may need something that takes up less space but still provides a powerful audio experience, the KLH Kendall 3-way is here to say hello. As the name would imply, these are 3-way speakers that take advantage of two 6.5-inch woven Kevlar bass drivers, a 5.25-inch woven Kevlar mid/bass driver, and 1-inch anodized aluminum tweeter to crush low notes and let the high notes flow like water. The woven Kevlar on the mid/bass and woofers keeps the distortion at high volumes to a minimum and makes sure proper airflow is achieved for maximum efficiency.
KLH wrapped all this audio goodness in a real wood veneer in either black oak or American walnut, so this speaker looks more like a fixture and less of an entertainment piece when not in use. Removable magnetic grills hide any fastener, so the whole system looks smooth and clean. Despite this being a single speaker tower, it can be combined with another KLH Kendall 3-way or other pieces of audio equipment to act as a full audio system (though it is not necessary to enjoy loud, clear audio from music, movies or TV shows).
Pros
Cons
Passive vs Powered Speakers
Speakers can be either passive or powered (sometimes called active), and the main difference comes down to whether or not an amplifier is built into the speaker.
Powered/active speakers have an amplifier within the unit and do not require any additional power from an external source. Passive speakers use power from an external amp and require a connection to it, generally with a speaker wire.
Powered speakers are better for those looking for a quick set up and the possibility of wireless features. Passive speakers will require more wires, but they do allow for more customization when it comes to the amplifier choice and are better for those who are a bit pickier about their experience.
3-Way vs 2-Way Floor Speakers
Earlier in the article, we talked a little bit about the difference between 3-way and 2-way speakers, and the main difference is the presence of a midrange driver.
Drivers are what covert the electrical audio signal to audible sound waves and are designed for particular frequency ranges. A 2-way speaker will use a woofer for the lower frequencies and a tweeter for higher frequencies, with the midrange being covered by the overlap of the two drivers.
A 3-way speaker contains the midrange driver mentioned before to allow for a dedicated output of those midrange frequencies. 3-way speakers produce richer sounds that are truer to life as they can distinguish the frequencies better.
How to Correctly Set Up Floor Standing Speakers
In general, floor standing speakers are easier to set up than many other styles of speaker as they are designed to be full-range speakers.
When using these types of speakers for things like movies or TV, it is best to place them on either side of the screen and angle them toward the seating used for viewing. When used for audio without a screen, you have more flexibility with the placement though it is still best practice to keep them a few feet apart and pointed out toward the location you intend to listen to.
If you wish to connect floor standing speakers to external amps or join them with other audio equipment into a larger speaker system, it is best to use included cables and take note to give each speaker or amplifier ample space to operate and not overcrowd the speakers.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What kind of audio performance can I expect from floor standing speakers under $1000?
How do these cheaper models compare with more expensive models?
What can I do to maintain the life of these products?
Where is the best place to buy floor standing speakers?
Conclusion
Floor standing speakers are excellent options when considering how to enhance your audio experience on a budget and get rich, full sound throughout the room.
For those looking for the best on a budget, the Klipsch RP-280F is our top pick for best floor standing speaker under $1000 and well worth the investment. If you would like to learn more about other audio enhancements, check out our article on the best subwoofers under $1000.