Floor standing speakers are enough to make regular bookshelf speakers a thing of the past.
In my not-so-humble opinion, floor standing speakers are the ultimate speaker design and a must-have for any individual, looking to fully immerse themselves into a movie, music, or even a good podcast.
Designed for complete stereo sound and acoustic range, these stylish speakers create a new and immersive listening experience in your home, flat, or even garage.
There is often a misconception that the best quality floor standing speakers are expensive, but my research proves that this isn’t always the case.
Of course, it is worth investing in the best condition speakers, but it is possible to purchase within a budget.
I have found the 5 best floor standing speakers under $1000 to make your internet search simpler and quicker, along with a handy buyers’ guide and FAQ to help you decide which speaker is best suited for you.
In a rush?
If you are in a hurry, my top pick is the Sony SSCS3 3-Way Floor-Standing Speaker.
Available as a single speaker or in a pair, Sony has mastered the art of great audio by creating the ideal bass-reflex system to make any piece of music sound like a live performance without completely annoying your neighbours.
They are just over 3 feet tall and ideal for a small space to improve a home theatre or for listening to a favourite record. A banana clip connector resides at the back for cable connection.
At only $158.00, these are well within a budget and below $1000.
Top 5 Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
This speaker is quite the box-ticker in terms of design quality, affordability and audio power.
With a maximum output power of 290 Watts and new super tweeters, the quality of music is as good as if you were onstage with the artists.
These speakers have a 5.12 in woofer, producing a stable bass, which would be more beneficial for a smaller room.
If you prefer more of a bass sound, a subwoofer can be purchased if you want to really feel the bass. This means that the speakers aren’t super loud, but still pack a punch in a crisp quality.
They are ideal for a small living space, office, or home theatre to delve further into the audio.
The banana clip connector means they can connect to a television, record player, CD player, or mobile device.
These Sony speakers are also available in a double speaker bundle for $318.00.
Pros
- Crisp sound quality
- Affordable at $158.00
- Stylish and sleek black vinyl design that can fit into any room
- Lightweight and ideal for a smaller room
Cons
- May need a subwoofer if you prefer more bass
EDITORS CHOICE
The most stylish speaker on my list, the KLH Kendall floor standing speaker boasts its attention to natural audio detail and wide soundstage.
This speaker comes in both walnut and black oak artisan-crafted wooden colorways, providing a natural wooden aesthetic and an effortless luxurious visual.
The KLH Kendall speaker comes with chrome-plated floor spikes for extra stability to any surface, whether it be a low elevated stand or floor.
In terms of audio quality, this speaker boasts a realistic and deep bass that can be both heard and felt, so it feels like you are actually at a concert, performance, or a movie theatre.
I have to say this is the best quality speaker when it comes to the design - aside from the gorgeous wooden paneling, it also has cast aluminum baskets and woven Kevlar drivers.
The KLH Kendall is truly designed to last a long time. This is the most expensive speaker on my list at $649.99.
Pros
- Beautiful and luxurious design that fits in like fine furniture
- Great bass, a subwoofer isn’t necessary
- Great sound quality with no audio distortions with volume changes
Cons
- Most expensive on this list, but still under $1000
- Sold in singles
BEST VALUE
I would say these are an ideal speaker for the non-self-proclaimed audiophiles out there.
At an affordable price of $249.00 and a 3.11 feet height, these speakers are a good addition to a household who wants something new for their earbuds.
These Polk speakers boast the real American HiFi sound through their surround sound, ideal for a home theatre.
The Power Port creates a clear and deep bass sound without distorting the audio or making a large physical impact.
As speaker sounds are all based on individual preferences, a subwoofer may be required for those who prefer to literally feel the bass.
These speakers have a sleek and curved edge design with a striking steel grey coloring.
Pros
- Affordable and good quality
- Great surround sound which is perfect for a home theatre and movie fanatics
- Polk American Hifi
Cons
- Ideal for beginners or anyone wanting a good speaker, an audiophile may want a subwoofer for a boost on the bass
RUNNER UP
The cheapest of my recommendations at an astounding $99.97, the VENLOIC speaker stands out mostly for its useful Bluetooth connection.
This connection allows for extra space from no unnecessary and complicated wires, instead with a helpful remote control and a quick connecting system from your device to the speaker.
Very handy if you are hosting a dinner or party and somebody has a song recommendation!
It also comes with a FM digital radio, an SD card, and an MP3 player mode, so every type of audio file can be played. There is also a handy USB port to keep any devices in use charged!
My favourite little and seemingly insignificant aspect of this speaker is the device cutout at the top, designed to hold and balance the device that is connecting to the speaker. No chance of losing your phone.
The one downside is that this may not be useful as home theatre speakers, unless your television has a bluetooth connection.
The VENLOIC speaker is sleek and slim, great if storage is an issue, and adds a modern touch to any home in its wooden design.
Pros
- Very affordable for its quality and versatility
- Bluetooth connection is quick and useful for changing devices
- Sleek and slim design for smaller rooms, and no added wires with Bluetooth connection
Cons
- Bluetooth connection may not benefit home theatres that do not offer this type of connection
RUNNER UP
For those who prefer a more retro look for their floor standing speakers, look no further.
The BIC America speaker provides a powerful 450 Watts maximum output power, a 15” high-excursion woofer, and an old-school aesthetic. This is ideal for rock-loving audiophiles.
At a moderately priced $214.99, these impressive speakers have the ability to get loud. With a lot of bass.
With this type of quality, these speakers are pretty large at 12.50 x 17.50 x 43 inches, which is important to keep in mind if storage is an issue in a smaller room.
It is definitely important to be mindful of the size, as these will not perform in the same way a sleeker design will.
However, don’t assume they are only ideal for high volume levels, as these speakers perform well at lower volumes too.
These are ideal for garages, home theatres, music studios, or a detached house to avoid neighbour complaints.
Pros
- Old school aesthetic
- Impressive audio power, stereo sound and bass
- Subwoofer isn’t a necessary additional purchase
Cons
- Aesthetic may not fit in some style homes
- Big size means power hungry
Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $1000 Buying Guide
What to look for in a floor standing speaker
Floor standing speakers are a brilliant way of improving audio quality by creating a fully immersive atmosphere. The best part is, they don’t even need to be that expensive.
The quality of a speaker does not always align with the price. They are more effective than regular bookshelf speakers or handheld speakers, as the quality is infinitely more impressive and they are an overall good quality investment.
One of the main things to consider when purchasing a speaker is the size you are looking for. Most speakers are tall and slim, which can either be a blessing or a curse for a smaller room.
I would recommend anything around the 3 - 4 feet mark for new floor standing speaker owners, as they do not take up much space and can fit nicely next to a television or piece of furniture without standing out obnoxiously.
It is also worth considering how slim or thick a speaker will be, because the last thing you want is a speaker the size of a mini fridge sat right next to your TV if space is minimal.
Remember: the bigger the speaker, the more volume.
Also, some speakers are sold online as singles rather than pairs, so if you are requiring a surround sound it is worth investing in a pair of speakers to achieve this.
For ultimate acoustic sound, softer materials such as carpet soften any audio that could easily bounce off hard flooring (such as wood or laminate) and create distortion.
If you have hard flooring, consider investing in a rug or sound dampeners (they usually hang on walls) if this becomes a problem.
Audio quality
Audiophiles are very aware of this, but it is important to know what exactly you would like from your speaker.
Is it surround sound to feel as if you are a part of your favourite movie? Is it to feel like you are at a rock concert? Is it to have some quiet music that fills up the house when you are cleaning or working?
Whatever it is, make sure you know so you can be aware of the volume, output power, and bass levels.
The speakers I recommended have varying bass levels, ranging from hearing the bass pleasantly to feeling it in your entire body.
Fortunately, lower bass levels can be easily improved by a subwoofer - an adjustable device to change the levels of bass, distortion, volume, and turbulence.
3-way speakers have a woofer already, along with a tweeter (for high frequency sounds) and a midrange (for mid frequency sounds such as a human voice or instruments), but there is never any harm in investing in a subwoofer for that extra boost of bass.
Appearance
Most floor standing speakers have a bog standard appearance - sleek, black, modern, simple. They are effortlessly cool pieces of technology that can make any room look instantly more luxurious.
Wherever you decide to place your speakers, next to a television or record player for example, it might be worth considering if they will visibly match for the vibe you want to create.
A heavy and classic design may stand out like a sore thumb in a monochrome and modern lounge. If you don’t care too much about aesthetics and prefer a mismatched lifestyle, go for it!
If you prefer a sleeker design, there’s an abundance of options for you to choose from.
If you are craving an old-school design to suit your rockstar dreams, there are thicker and more bulky speakers that are up-to-date on technological advancements whilst still maintaining that classic appearance.
Most speakers also have different color options, such as gun-metal grey or a mahogany wooden finish, that are definitely worth considering if you want your speaker to blend in like a piece of fine furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do floor standing speakers need a subwoofer?
This comes down to personal preference. If you like a heavier bass sound and feel for your music or a film that you speaker just is not achieving, a subwoofer will be the answer to this.
As 3-way and 4-way floor standing speakers include a built-in subwoofer already, it is not a requirement to purchase an additional subwoofer.
Whilst they do improve the quality of audio, some speakers achieve this anyway, and some may not have been purchased for the intention of a louder bass.
For a true home theatre, a subwoofer will be beneficial for the quality of film audio, especially for battle scenes if you want a fully immersible experience.
Can you put floor standing speakers on stands?
As the name suggests, floor standing speakers are designed to stand on the floor as their height and structure allows sound to move in various directions without hitting a wall, ceiling, or floor.
Most speakers like this do not need a stand, though some do come with small elevations. It really does depend on the individual preference and the quality of audio you are aiming for, as well as the type of speaker.
A small elevated stand may help floor standing speakers improve the audio quality, especially if the floor is uneven or distorting the sound. However, a stand too tall may create audio distortion.
How do I choose a floor standing speaker?
This all depends on what exactly you would like to achieve.
Consider the height and width of the structure, what you will use the speaker for, your budget, and whether you will require additional purchases.
Floor standing speakers are high quality and can either take up minimal space or a lot of space, so make sure you know the ideal size and shape.
If you want a speaker just for music, a 3-way speaker will suffice. If you are looking for something to improve your home theatre, a speaker with a strong woofer is more desirable.
It is also worth considering how you intend to connect your speaker, fortunately there are a range of speakers from bluetooth to banana clip connectors.
Are floor standing speakers expensive?
Floor speakers do not have to be expensive to be good quality!
I have recommended 5 affordable floor speakers under $1000, but there are so many on the market that prove to be worthy of making a good quality sound system.
Of course, some may have the expectations of audio quality to be that of a $10k speaker, but that doesn’t mean that affordable speakers are second best or less worthy of attention.
Audiophiles may prefer to invest in more expensive speakers, but this is not a necessity when it comes to the immersive experience you can get out of ones that fit a budget.
What is the difference between floor standing and bookshelf speakers?
The main difference between floor standing and bookshelf speakers is the size.
Floor standing speakers are usually between 3’ - 4’ tall and reside on the floor, whereas bookshelf speakers are about 1’ tall and are designed for higher placement.
Because of their size and design, floor standing speakers offer more sound through more drivers, and are best for a home theatre or immersive music experience.
Bookshelf speakers are more ideal for a quieter audio due to the box shape, but are more impressive in quality than built-in or handheld speakers.
There is nothing stopping you from using both together, however, to create a varied and perfect surround sound experience!
