Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $10000 Reviewed

Benefits of Expensive Floor Standing Speakers

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 

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

1. Beolab 18

2. Earthquake Tigris

3. Focal Electra 1038 BE

4. ELAC FS509VX

5. Focal Kanta N2

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.

6. Focal 2 Pack Aria 948

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.

7. Earthquake Telesto

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!

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.

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?

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!