Marco AlessiFloor-standing speakers can be the ideal upgrade from a bookshelf speaker set, but the endless options available on today’s market allow us to kickstart our audiophile adventure straight with an entry-level pair of floor-standers.
If you’re looking for inspiration in your search for the best speaker for your sound system, let me share with you what I believe are the best floor-standers in 2023, from budget to high-end options.
About the author
How I chose the speakers for this list?
The eight floor-standers below should provide you with a mix of speakers across all price ranges, giving you an overview of what you can expect depending on your budget.
I believe all the options below offer excellent value for money and are the items that can work magnificently for years without feeling the need to upgrade your sound system.
These are the best floor-standing speakers for music and home theater:
- Wharfedale Evo4.4
- Sony SS-CS3
- Dali Oberon 5
- Q Acoustics 3050i
- Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2
- Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3
- Sonus Faber Lumina III
- KEF R7 Meta
Wharfedale Evo4.4
- Tweeter: 1.2 inches
- Midrange driver: 2 inches
- Woofers: 6.5 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 41.7″ x 9.8″ x 13.4″
I talked about this excellent floor-standing speaker in a recent article about the best speakers for vinyl record players. If you read my review, you know I believe this is an incredible speaker for the money.
The Evo4.4 seamlessly combines authority and nuanced subtlety, creating a cohesive and balanced soundstage with a touch of coloration for immersive listening sessions.
The black woven Kevlar delicately enhances lower frequencies and articulation without overshadowing higher frequencies, while the midrange soft dome adds vitality and vibrancy to the music that makes every album a captivating sonic experience.
What I like
- Detailed and enjoyable listening experience.
- Good-quality build and finish.
What I don’t like
- In small environments, the bass gets too boomy.
Sony SS-CS3
- Tweeter: 0.98 inches
- Midrange driver: 0.75 inches
- Woofers: 5.12 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 36.30″ x 9.05″ x 10.24″
The Sony CS series baffles me. I had the chance to try both the SS-CS3 floor-standing and the SS-CS5 bookshelf speakers, and the audio coming out of these entry-level models is nothing short of stunning.
You can get a pair of SS-CS3 for about $300, but the immersive soundstage and level of detail you get from them are way above their price tag. This 3-way budget floor-standing speaker aims to create a realistic audio experience thanks to a wide dispersion super tweeter that enhances the sound’s vibrancy and articulation.
Despite the affordable price, the SS-CS3 feels sturdy and built to last, with a refined design that reflects the reproduction quality of this speaker. My only concern is the lower frequencies, which sometimes feel muddy and inaccurate when compared with other, more expensive models.
Then again, for under $500 a pair, the SS-CS3 towers are probably the best budget floor-standing speakers you can get for your sound system.
What I like
- Room-filling sound, ideal for home theaters and listening rooms.
- Great built quality.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Lower frequencies are not as accurate as in other floor-standers.
Dali Oberon 5
- Tweeter: 1.2 inches
- Woofers: 5.25 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 32.75″ x 7.94″ x 10.9″
Reasonably priced, aesthetically superb, and with a brilliant sound, the Oberon 5 is among the best floor-standing speakers you can get under $1500 a pair. This floor-stander shines in reproducing intricate details and gives a sense of sonic spatiality that enhances the beauty of layered instrumental arrangements with ease.
The soundstage feels natural and engaging, fully-balanced across the spectrum, also thanks to a relatively large tweeter that magnifies the level of detail and accuracy. Cutting-edge technology on the motor system and suspension setup ensures the highest level of transparency without resonance or vibrations.
All in all, the Oberon 5 is an excellent midrange solution for listening rooms big and small, and although I wouldn’t recommend it to heavy bass enthusiasts, casual listeners will certainly enjoy the coloration and distinctive sound signature of the audio reproduced by the Oberon 5.
Read the full Dali Oberon 5 review to find out more.
What I like
- Superb expressiveness.
- Refined sound suitable for all genres.
- Reasonably priced.
What I don’t like
- Lower frequencies lack the depth and authority of other similarly-priced speakers.
Q Acoustics 3050i
- Tweeter: 0.9 inches
- Woofers: 6.5 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 40.1″ x 12.2″ x 12.5″
The 3050i’s excellent representation of spatiality is impressive for a midrange floor-standing speaker, and I’m sure it’ll leave speechless even seasoned audiophiles.
An evolution of the 3050, the Q Acoustics 3050i delivers a far superior sound than its predecessor, with a balanced soundstage and detailed imaging characterized by a crisp and accurate texture.
What further enhances its performance is the incorporation of both a cutting-edge suspension system and HPE technology, both ensuring that vibrations and resonance won’t compromise the overall sound quality, even at loud volumes.
Read the full Q Acoustics 3050i review to find out more.
What I like
- Excellent imaging.
- Reasonably priced.
- Solid build/finish quality.
What I don’t like
- Not the best bass from a 3-way speaker, but I’m nitpicking here.
Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofers: 5.25 inches (x3)
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 40″ x 7.09″ x 9.21″
You can’t go wrong with the Debut series by Elac, and despite not being their most popular model, the F5.2 is a highly-performing floor-standing speaker that can be the Holy Grail for audiophiles interested in accuracy and detailed sound textures.
The sonic representation feels airy yet cohesive, with impressive sound imaging that can transform classical music into an enveloping sonic experience.
Bass-heavy music enthusiasts will appreciate the level of detail and authority of the lower frequencies, which seamlessly blend with the rest of the soundstage to deliver an accurate, transparent representation.
What I like
- Utmost accuracy.
- Plenty of detail.
- Great bass response.
What I don’t like
- Sound can be too transparent for some listeners.
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Midrange driver: 6 inches
- Woofers: 6.5 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 40.25″ x 10.25″ x 15.9″
A revisited version of the iconic speaker from the 600 Series, the new 603 S3 offers an upgraded sound while preserving its unique sound signature: a dynamic and precise texture that works magnificently when playing engaging and articulate music.
The sound coming out of a pair of B&W 603 S3 is compelling and entertaining, with a particular focus on realism and authenticity. The Continuum cone midrange brings to life a pure and vibrant sound, while the low-frequency cones deliver a controlled bass that blends seamlessly with the rest of the soundstage.
What I like
- Balanced, transparent sound that’s as enjoyable as it is accurate.
- High-quality build.
What I don’t like
- A plethora of high-quality alternatives at this price.
Sonus Faber Lumina III
- Tweeter: 1.1 inches
- Midrange driver: 6 inches
- Woofers: 6 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 38.9″ x 9″ x 10.9″
Designed and built a few kilometers from my hometown, Sonus Faber loudspeakers fill me with pride. These are carefully-crafted speakers designed to last a lifetime, exuding the exceptional craftsmanship and heritage that’s defined this Italian brand since its inception 40 years ago.
Lumina is Sonus Faber’s budget-friendly series, and you can get a pair of Lumina III for about $2,400. They’re relatively small, beautiful to look at, and masterfully designed, making them the best choice for the audiophile with a taste for sophisticated aesthetics.
The sound impresses for its tonal purity, with a lush and detailed texture that upgrades both casual and deep listening sessions. If you’re looking for a natural and enveloping sound in a speaker that looks fabulous, look no further than the Lumina III.
What I like
- Natural, enveloping sound.
- Unsurpassed built quality.
- Timeless design.
What I don’t like
- Nothing at this price.
KEF R7 Meta
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Midrange driver: 5 inches
- Woofers: 6.5 inches (x2)
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Dimensions (HWD): 43.7″ x 12.2″ x 15.1″
The most expensive loudspeaker on this list, the KEF R7 is an engineering work of art that impresses for its cohesiveness and smoothness. Everything about the R7’s reproduction feels balanced and controlled, with superb dynamics and an engaging bass that makes it suitable for music listeners of all genres and experience levels.
The Uni-Q driver array, with the tweeter positioned concentrically within the midrange driver, brings to life a coherent, layered sound with crisp highs that seamlessly blend with a lush midrange and a tight bass response.
The KEF R7 Meta is a high-end floor-standing speaker that requires equally performing audio gear to truly shine. But if you’re ready and your budget allows it, this speaker might change the way you experience music.
What I like
- Excellent representation across the spectrum.
- Premium build and finish.
What I don’t like
- Requires a high-end sound system to express itself fully.
Final thoughts
There you have it, my 2023 list of the best floor-standing speakers for home theater or music enthusiasts. Do let me know in the comments below if I forgot to mention some crucial floor-standers worth talking about!
I hope this guide will help you choose the perfect speakers for your listening room and that one of the options above will bring to life the sound you’ve always dreamed of.
Happy listening!