If you find yourself never quite satisfied with the bass or loudness of your bookshelf speakers, then you need to get yourself some floor standing models.
They're called as such because they're typically big enough to stand on the floor without the need to place them on a bookshelf or speaker stand.
While they're generally not true full-range speakers, they are going to give a more substantial bass output and will play louder than most.
There are countless floor standing speakers out there, but not many on the lower end of the price point place much value in sound quality. Instead, they just serve to put out as much bass and volume as possible. The mids and highs make up a huge portion of the audio we hear, no matter if it's to listen to music, an audiobook, or a movie.
Expensive floor standing speakers will produce quality throughout the entire spectrum. Moreover, they'll be able to manage high levels of bass reproduction better, lasting longer and filling up a room more effectively to provide the best aural experience possible.
Floor Standing Speakers Under $10000 Compared
Image | Product | Sound Level | Frequency | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Beolab 18 | 107 dB SPL | 15 – 43,000 Hz | |
Earthquake Tigris | 89 DB +/- 3 DB | 25 – 40,000 Hz | ||
Focal Electra 1038 BE | 93 DB | 33Hz – 45,000 KHz | ||
ELAC FS509VX | 89 DB | 24Hz – 50,000 KHz | ||
No products found. | Focal Kanta N2 | 91 DB | 35Hz – 40,000 KHz | |
Focal 2 Pack Aria 948 | 91 DB | 37Hz – 28,000 KHz | ||
Earthquake Telesto | 94 DB | 30Hz – 150Hz |
Choosing a Quality Floor Standing Speaker Under $10000
Build Quality & Design
Build quality is going to be high if you're looking in the ballpark of $10,000. However, they still vary a bit. First, the cabinet should be well-made and anti-resonant, which means it's durable but won't create sound distortion due to vibration emitted from the drivers. Concerning design, you'll want something that suits your personal tastes and goes well with the room in question's aesthetics.
In addition, if you have hardwood floors in the room, opt for either rubber or padded feet. If you are placing them on carpet, try to get carpet spikes to hold them firmly in place. Just make sure you never use said spikes on hard surfaces as they can damage the floors.
The floor standing speakers must fit well within the space you have planned to place them in. I highly recommend measuring the space rather than “eyeing” it. As a general rule, you should associate bigger speakers with louder sound. However, room size is also going to affect this, as larger rooms will also need larger speakers! Softer materials (like carpet and sofas) are going to absorb and dampen sound, while harder surfaces typically do the opposite.
Audio Performance
You may notice the term "sensitivity" comes up while shopping for the best floor speakers. This refers to how efficiently the speaker converts power into sound, to put it simply. It is you how loud your speakers can go at a given volume. Measured in decibels (dB), it's also commonly known as "efficiency."
This is the quickest method of figuring out the volume the speaker you’re looking at can provide. Once again, go back to the size of the room you’ll be using them in. If it’s bigger, choose a higher sensitivity as it will put out a large amount of volume for a relatively low amount of power.
Connectivity & Flexibility
In our modern-day world, it seems like everything is wireless. With that being said, many may find it odd if speakers don't have Bluetooth connectivity or wireless technology of some form. Just keep in mind that while they may be more "convenient," wired models are often going to be more powerful and reliable (though not a rule).
Not only are wireless speakers more convenient, but they can also make your space look cleaner with the lack of visible wires. Wiring logistics will also be irrelevant, making set-up quicker and simpler so you can get to enjoying them.
As far as placement goes, this can vary quite a bit, but there are some general rules to follow. First, make sure not to place them against the wall (keep at least 6 inches of room between) as this will ruin the bass energy, which defeats a large point of getting floor standing speakers. Next, make sure nothing is blocking any of them or gets in their way. The most common location for the speakers is on either side of the television or stereo system, though this is entirely up to you.
Power Rating
There’s a common misconception that wattage is equal to the power a speaker is capable of producing. That’s not quite true. While it has a great influence on the power, it also depends on the max power of the setup you have. For example, if you have passive speakers, you’ll need to make sure the amp can manage the wattage the speaker can generate.
The amount of ohms or “impedance” a speaker has is also important, referring to the restriction of the flow of the electrical current in a circuit. The lower the impedance, the more current can flow. The lower the impedance, also the higher the load on the amp, which means it will have to work harder. You’ll often come across 4-ohm and 8-ohm speakers. The former will require more power from an amp to create the same loudness as an 8-ohm model.
Speaker Specifications
If you don't know already, you'll notice in just a bit that speakers are either 2-way or 3-way configurations. This refers to the number of speakers that are in the monitor. 2-way models will feature a single speaker that manages high frequencies and another which handles the mid and low frequencies.
3-way speakers come with an extra speaker for mid frequencies independently. It's generally considered that 3-way speakers offer more clarity throughout the spectrum, though there are 2-way models that perform even better than 3s.
Warranty
The warranty, especially at this price point, is a huge factor in which one you’ll decide on. At this price point, it should be, at least. Think of a warranty as the brand’s way of telling you how long you can expect a speaker to function normally without any disruption.
If you’re spending a good amount of money, upwards of 5000 dollars, you should definitely try to get the longest possible warranty so that you don’t risk spending anything else.
6 Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $10000 Reviewed
1. Beolab 18
Our Top Pick
Sound Level | 107 dB SPL |
Power Output | 160 Watts |
Impedance | 8 ohms |
Number Of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 15 – 43,000 Hz |
Warranty | Yes – 3 Year Warranty |
When it comes to the best of the best floor standing speakers under $10,000, you've got to go with the Beolab 18 by Bang & Olufson. This top of the range tower speaker is marketed as an acoustic work of art by the company and constructed of aluminum and wood or plastic lamellas in four options: Bronze Tone, Natural, Black, or Brass Tone. It can be used as a freestanding floor speaker or in conjunction with a wall bracket. Either way, you’ll get absolutely unparalleled sound with their incredible frequency range of 15 – 43,000 Hz.
What obviously sets this designer speaker apart from the rest is that it is completely wireless. No matter where you place it within your space, the Acoustic Lens Technology (ALT) will provide a 180-degree horizontal dispersion of the upper frequencies, so you’ll feel like you’re right next to the speaker. The volume can reach an astonishing loud 107 dB -almost unheard of in home speakers. Additionally, its Adaptive Bass Linearization (ABL) promises significantly improved bass performance over previous models.
For wireless connectivity, you will require an external source that isn’t included with your purchase. I recommend the Beosound Core Connectivity Hub. Bang and Olufson describe the hub as future-proof because it's designed to update your speakers' software automatically as updates become available. One hub can handle all the speakers in your home.
The Bang and Olufson customer service team is ready to help you troubleshoot 24/7. Should any problems arise during installation or otherwise—they will be there for you! The Beolab 18 also comes with a 36-month warranty from the date of purchase. If you’re looking for a high-end luxury speaker that will see you through the next decade and beyond, you’ve met your match.
Pros
Cons
2. Earthquake Tigris
Top Choice for 3 Way
Sound Level | 89 dB +/- 3 dB |
Power Output | 500 watts |
Impedance | 4 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 25 – 40,000 Hz |
Warranty | Yes, 5-year warranty |
With a special focus on optimizing even the smallest technical details, the Earthquake Tigris is a sophisticated, fully-featured speaker and our top pick. Marked at a relatively low price considering its high performance, the model offers constant energy dispersion and excellent audio quality. It’s difficult to provide precision with boosted volume, but these 3-way floor standing speakers pull it off with ease.
Titan is a brand which works to ensure each part of their models work in harmony, and this is evident in the Tigris. Let’s speak about the obvious, first: the looks. Made to impress in both aural and visual quality, the exterior surface is composed of opulent black glossy piano lacquer. The classy aesthetics are so much more than just that, however.
Using a Hemi Elliptical design, they work to almost completely eliminate sound reflection and standing waves. This engineering delivers dynamic, neutral reproduction – you'll be able to hear music and films precisely the way they were made to be enjoyed. Constructed from 8 layers of high-density fiberboard (HDF), the thickness is uniform throughout while offering rigidity and longevity.
With a height of nearly 5 feet and a weight of 89 pounds each, the Tigris is striking in size, as well. As such, they fit best in larger rooms that can handle grandiose sound production. Equipped with two Bx-8 bass drive units in a vertical line array setup, the model takes the energy and concentrates it towards the desired dispersion field. This offers accuracy while also supplying a big boom to the low end of any audio that goes through it, which the heavy-duty Dual Bx-8 ballistic grade Kevlar woofers handle nicely.
A Tx1 Super Tweeter sits in its own Stilla-Sphere right at the top of the speaker, offering excellent clarity and stability. Made to work specifically with their Super midrange Mx2, mid-tones are never muddy, and vocals are very distinct to make up a uniformly fantastic model.
Pros
Cons
3. Focal Electra 1038 BE
2nd Choice for 3-Way
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 93 dB |
Power Output | 400 watts |
Impedance | 8 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 33Hz – 45,000 kHz |
Warranty | Yes, 1-year warranty |
Focal is admired around the world for their drive unit engineering and wonderful-looking speakers, both of which the Electra 1038 BE shows off nicely. Coming with an impressive trio of bass drivers, it delivers deep, punchy, and precise.
Coming with a whopping three 7” woofers, the floor standing speakers pair are not stingy in any aspect. With a sculpted front baffle, real wood faceted side panels, and floating glass top, the detail is their top priority. With the design, you have your choice of 4 different finishes: champagne, basalt, mahogany, and black lacquer. Each one is stunning and will most definitely turn heads.
At the bottom, you'll find rubber legs that lift it around 3 inches. Standing at almost 50 inches tall and weighing 112 pounds each, they're quite monstrous. However, this heft is to hold three woofers, a midrange driver, and a Beryllium tweeter. Capable of playing from 33Hz to 40kHz without any interruption, they offer incredible texture all over the spectrum. What really stands out with the 1038 BE gorgeous floor standing speakers is how natural they sound, allowing you to take in music with full accuracy.
Due to the incredible reproduction all across the scale of vocals and instruments, this runner up model also makes a perfect pair for home theater use.
Pros
Cons
4. ELAC FS509VX
Best 4-Way Floor Standing Speakers
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 89 dB |
Power Output | 400 watts |
Impedance | 4 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 3 |
Frequency | 24Hz – 50,000 kHz |
Warranty | Yes, 1-year warranty |
The next floor standing speakers review we’re going to cover is on the ELAC FS509VX. This model is so much more than just an attractive piece of sonic furniture. With top-of-the-line dynamics and flexibility, the 4-way design uses a VX-JET tweeter and a novel dial, allowing sound to be perfectly adjusted to your individual tastes.
A common problem we, as listeners, have is finding the right speaker for our room size and acoustics. Thanks to ELAC’s signature drive unit which takes their tweeter and midrange driver together and allows you to change the position of them, you can adjust the sound results to suit each room you place it in. Just remember that you’re probably going to need someone to help you with this, as doing it on your own can mess up your short-term audible memory and get confusing.
Using ELAC cones throughout the mids and bass, they provide a nice amount of durability and detail. However, I did notice that some music was a bit “bright” and heavy on the highs, though this should come as no surprise with a frequency range of up to 50,000 kHz. What really makes this speaker unique is that you don’t have to deal with any stray resonance or overhang, which is precision that many don’t get the chance to experience. The only downside here is that if you're listening to poorly mixed music, it's really going to pull it apart and make the flaws more noticeable.
Much like our first model, the speaker comes with a glossy piano black finish or an old-school walnut finish. On the bottom, you'll find four adjustable spikes along with plastic floor protectors, so you don't have to deal with unpredictable interactions with walls and interference from hard and soft flooring. Overall, this is one of those models that everyone will be able to enjoy, no matter their background or experience with floor standing speakers.
Pros
Cons
5. Focal Kanta N2
No products found.
Best Looking Floor Standing Speakers Under 10000
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 91 dB |
Power Output | 400 watts |
Impedance | 8 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 35Hz – 40,000 kHz |
Warranty | Yes, 5-year warranty |
Regularly considered to be the best-looking floor standing speakers currently on the market, the Focal Kanta N2 are conversation pieces even before they're turned on. Despite coming from the same manufacturer, they are surprisingly different from the previously reviewed Electra.
First off, the best floor speakers aesthetics are breathtaking and modern, with an array of combinations to suit your tastes. The cabinet comes in either High Gloss Black Lacquer or Walnut, and for each, you get 4 different front panel color options. For the black cabinet, choose from High Gloss Carrara White, Gauloise Blue, Solar Yellow, and Black Lacquer. With wood, you have either Ivory, Warm Taupe, Gauloise Blue again, and Dark Grey in matte finishes.
The 3-way speaker comes with a supreme IAL3 (Infinite Acoustic Loading) Beryllium tweeter, which reduces distortion and unwanted resonances significantly. The 6.5” midrange drive-unit and two 6.5” woofers are all made of extra-thin layers of flax and glass fiber. Ideal for rooms up to 750 square feet, the soundstage is impressive, albeit slightly bright for some listeners.
Not only that, but these are the easiest to take out of the box and set up, by far. You can have them up and running in mere minutes, and they come with a 5-year warranty, which can give you peace of mind that they'll work up to your expectations.
Pros
Cons
6. Focal 2 Pack Aria 948
Best Floor Standing Speakers for Music Listening
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 91 dB |
Power Output | 350 watts |
Impedance | 8 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 37Hz – 28,000 kHz |
Warranty | Yes, 5-year warranty |
Keeping our focus on Focal, you probably have an idea of the high caliber you should hold the Aria 948 to. Changing the construction of the body and the driver design, it was engineered specifically for music lovers to revel in natural sound.
The 948 sports a slightly edgier design than the others on this guide, with a front leather-like finish and 3 different body finishes: Black High Gloss, Noyer, and Prime Walnut. Non-parallel side walls are raised just above the cast aluminum base, with the result showing it’s tough in looks and structure.
Their tweeter features a suspension method taken from Utopia's renowned Beryllium tweeter, significantly reducing distortion. The "F" cones are standout pieces, characterized by the natural acoustics and vibrant reproduction in the mids. The bass is slightly more moderate than others on this guide, though fast and clear.
Overall, where this model really shines is its smooth frequency response that avoids any notable dips and rises. Moreover, it doesn't highlight any specific instruments or frequencies more than others. Instead, it ensures each frequency band melds together as sound naturally does. No matter if it’s a new tune or something you’ve listened to a thousand times, the 948s will allow you to see it in a new light.
Pros
Cons
7. Earthquake Telesto
Best Audiophile Floor Standing Speakers
Sound Level (Loudest Volume) | 94 dB |
Power Output | 350 watts |
Impedance | 8 ohm |
Number of Drivers | 4 |
Frequency | 30Hz – 150Hz |
Warranty | Yes, 5-year warranty |
As an audiophile, I know you care about the quality of your sound. If you are searching for one of the best but are on a slightly tighter budget, you’ll want to give the Earthquake Telesto a look. As the smaller sibling of our first model, the Tigris, it offers a bit less bass but is still equipped with some incredible components.
XLT EQ8 extra-long excursion subwoofers create a tight and accurate low-frequency reproduction, much like the Aria 948. As they're mounted 90 degrees off-axis from the speaker front, you'll get a sleek profile while delivering deep bass.
The midrange isn't lacking at all, thanks to two 4" carbon fiber drivers. Films or music with vocals sound crisp, natural, and always in tune. The T1 tweeter module in a separate enclosure probably sounds a bit familiar to you by now and allows for perfect positioning for the best image stability possible, no matter where you place them.
The visual looks are futuristic and exciting, with a high gloss piano black finish. The cabinet is carefully made, comprised of real wood and epoxy composite material, to give you an extra tough speaker made to last for many years to come. Their 5-year warranty speaks to that!
Pros
Cons
Passive vs Powered Floor Standing Speakers
Passive speakers are often seen in pro audio for PA systems and monitors, though they are also seen in consumer audio as well. Passives are powered by an outboard amp and provide versatility and room for growth if you're building a big system.
They're also typically more lightweight than their powered counterparts. They'll require as much power or more power than their program power rating, though many manufacturers recommend going up to twice that amount.
Active speakers have power amps, crossovers, and more built into them, which makes things easier, especially for portability purposes. All you have to do is plug a sound source, and you're good to go. As they don't need an external amp, they're also a better option if you're looking to save space.
4-Way vs. 3-Way vs. 2-Way
2-way speakers have just a tweeter and a woofer, meaning they'll have to share the handling of the mid-range. 3-way speakers feature a tweeter, a midrange, and a woofer. With these, each one works on its own to handle their corresponding frequencies. These typically offer very detailed sounds throughout the spectrum.
Finally, 4-ways contain a "super-tweeter," which allows for some incredible textures in the high frequencies. If you're going to choose between them, I highly recommend opting for either a 4-way or a 3-way due to better sound reproduction and accuracy.
How to Use Floor Standing Speakers Effectively
It’s crucial that you place your speakers in the correct position for the best listening experience possible. As each room is different, I can only provide some general tips.
- 1Make sure the speakers are placed so that they play along the length of the room.
- 2Place the listening spot (sofa, chair, etc.) in the middle, so you have a speaker on both sides of you.
- 3Never place items directly in front or behind the speakers, as it can distort the audio.
- 4Leave at least 6 inches of space between them and the wall.
- 5Angle them slightly to face the listening spot.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What does sensitivity mean in speakers?
What determines the sound quality of speakers?
How do I minimize playback interference with floor standing speakers?
Do I need to buy powered subwoofers to pair with floor standing speakers?
What kind of audio performance can I expect from $10000 vs. $1000 speakers?
What should I do to maintain these expensive products?
Speaker grills can typically be popped off (don’t ever struggle to take them off as you could break them). Once they’re off, lay them down on a flat surface, using a vacuum hose with a dust brush attachment to remove any dust and grime. Speaker cones are the most delicate components and should be handled with the utmost care. To clean these, use a can of compressed air and a small brush with soft bristles, if necessary.
How close should I sit to floor standing speakers?
Conclusion
Now that you’ve had the opportunity to read everything you could probably ever want to know about the best floor standing speakers under $10000, which one will be taking up residency in your home? If you’re unsure, allow me to reiterate what a great option the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 18 is.
Not only is it affordable when you consider the quality, but it looks gorgeous, is made to last, and provides crisp and precise audio reproduction with deep bass. What more could you want?
No matter which model you choose, the most important thing is that it’s right for you. I hope this guide has helped you find exactly that. Thanks for tuning in, and happy listening!