The Best Floorstanding Speakers to Supercharge Your Hi-Fi System

These top-quality floorstanding speakers will instantly supercharge your hi-fi system and deliver room-filling sound. With larger cabinets than standard bookshelf speakers, floorstanders naturally produce a larger scale of sound, better dynamics, and deeper bass.

That said, having a bigger cabinet doesn’t always guarantee better sound. You still need to choose wisely to ensure you get the best speakers for your specific budget and room size. Whether you have a modest budget or thousands to spend, we have curated a list ensuring there is a pair here for you.

If you are building a hi-fi system from scratch, upgrading from a smaller stand-mount pair, or just looking to splash the cash on a high-end upgrade, we are here to help. Read on for our round-up of the best floorstanding speakers we have tested recently.

1. 1. Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

(Image: © Wharfedale)

Wharfedale’s Diamond range has historically been a safe bet for solid budget stand-mounters, but the firm hadn’t produced a truly outstanding cheap floorstander for a while. That changes now.

The Diamond 12.3 sounds even more impressive than the famous 12.1. Considering that 12.1 is a 5-star speaker, that is quite a lot of praise.

At 98cm tall, the 12.3 aren’t massive speakers, but they benefit from having room to breathe. They sound best with a small amount of toeing-in (angling them toward the listener), but thanks to their wide sound dispersion, you don’t have to worry about the placement being millimeter-perfect.

Sonically, they are smooth, even-handed, and wonderfully refined for the money. Feed them a poor signal or a harsh recording, and they are skillful at revealing the details without shouting about the flaws. They round off rough edges and downplay unwanted aggression without sounding like they are suffocating the life out of the music. This makes them a great choice if you want to partner your turntable with a floorstander without breaking the bank.

Want to know more about the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Speaker terminals: Bi-wire
• Mid/bass driver: 13cm
• Tweeter: 2.5cm
• Sensitivity: 89dB/W/m
• Dimensions: 98 x 18 x 32cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Superbly balanced presentation
• Expressive and revealing midrange
• Pleasing build and finish

Cons

• Nothing at this price

2. Fyne Audio F302

(Image credit: Fyne Audio)

Fyne Audio might be a relatively new name, but the Scottish company has hit the ground running. The management team represents a “supergroup” of industry minds with over 200 years of combined experience—and it shows. The results truly exceed the sum of their parts.

We have already praised the company’s superlative F501 speakers, so we were eager to see if their entry-level floorstanders could deliver the same magic. Fortunately, the F302 does not disappoint. They deliver a performance that feels mature and authoritative, far beyond what their price tag suggests.

Want to know more about the Fyne Audio F302? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 90dB/w/m
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Type: Two-way, rear ported
• Max power handling: 120W
• Mid/bass driver: 15cm
• Tweeter: 25mm
• Dimensions: 93 x 19 x 27cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Full-bodied, entertaining sound
• Fantastic timing and dynamics
• Plenty of low-end presence

Cons

• Need some care in system-matching

3. Wharfedale Evo 4.4

(Image credit: Wharfedale)

The Wharfedale Evo 4.4 is packed with so much technology that we had to double-check the price. The AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter is usually reserved for much more expensive speakers, yet it is found right here in this relatively affordable model.

That is not the only killer piece of audio tech they feature: the dome midrange and twin Kevlar bass drivers also set this floorstander apart from the crowd.

It won’t come as a surprise that these relatively large speakers produce a large-scale sound with plenty of authority. However, they also deliver transparency and subtlety, ensuring a natural, easy-going presentation that you might not expect from such a big box.

There is a real feeling that these speakers are digging deep into the recording and presenting that information in an honest way. They track the envelope of a note well, clearly processing leading and trailing edges without sounding too “etched” or sharp.

Want to know more about the Wharfedale Evo 4.4? Detailed Review.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 90 dB/w/m
• Driver: 3-way bass reflex, AMT tweeter, Kevlar bass drivers
• Impedance: 4ohms
• Max power handling: 200W
• Speaker terminals: Bi-wire
• Dimensions: 105.9 x 25.7 x 35.6cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Natural, easy-going presentation
• Exciting and rhythmic
• Fine build and finish

Cons

• Need a large room to shine

4. DALI Oberon 5

(Image credit: DALI)

For much of the last decade, our default choice for the best floorstander costing under a grand was a pair of Q Acoustics (see below). However, in the Oberon 5, DALI has delivered a superb alternative—one that might be an even better buy.

They may be slightly smaller than the Q Acoustics 3050i, but these speakers manage to sound notably larger and more entertaining. Given a few days to settle in, they provide a real treat for the ears: they are responsive, musical, and, most of all, fun. They have dynamic subtlety, rhythmic precision, and sheer transparency to make the most of subtle changes in tracks and pull the listener into the musical experience.

They are detailed, too, revealing low-level instrumental strands with ease, but also managing to arrange that information in a composed and organized way. Plus, the size means they will look right at home in most rooms, never dominating visually.

Want to know more about the DALI Oberon 5? Read My Dali Oberon 5 Review.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 88 dB/w/wm
• Impedance: 6ohms
• Biwire: No
• Max power handling: 150W
• Dimensions: 83 x 16 x 28cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Entertaining sound
• Expressive dynamics
• Unfussy nature

Cons

• Tough competition at this price point

5. Fyne Audio F303

(Image credit: Fyne Audio)

The imposing F303—standing nearly a meter tall—sits above the award-winning F302 in the Fyne range. That additional mid/bass driver and a larger cabinet are the main differences between this model and its smaller sibling’s standard two-way design.

There is serious scale to be had from these hefty cabinets, thanks to that extra driver. For powerful dynamics, these speakers are hard to beat for the money. That said, you will need a decent amount of room for them, including some space between them and a wall to avoid the bass becoming too booming.

However, they can do delicate, too, and feel very at home handling subtle rhythms. They show texture and warmth with plenty of insight. Overall, they are exciting, upbeat, and fun, which makes them easy to love. Admittedly, you might get a little more insight from the DALIs mentioned above, but for scale and excitement, these Fynes really are masters of their trade.

Want to know more about the Fyne Audio F303? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 91 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Max power handling: 150W
• Mid/bass driver: 2 x 15cm
• Tweeter: 25mm
• Dimensions: 96.2 x 19 x 27.1cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Big room-filling sound
• Powerful bass
• Smart appearance

Cons

• Slight edge to the treble
• Need lots of room

6. ProAc Response DT8

(Image © ProAc)

While not perfect, ProAc’s immensely solid towers turn in one of the most musically cohesive performances we have heard at this price. They render instrumental texture beautifully, and stereo imaging is lovely. While they are relatively slim in stature, there is no denying their ability to deliver bass lines with conviction.

They have insight and attack in spades, while the midrange performance is impressive: voices come through loud and clear, and there is a high degree of transparency on show. Vocals never muddy into the instrumental backdrop, making for a coherent, articulate performance.

Agility, power, weight—these speakers have them all. Their look might be a little divisive (the logo placement won’t be to everyone’s taste), but we really like these speakers. They deliver such an entertaining sound that we can’t help but recommend them. Take a bit of care with system-matching, and they will impress.

Want to know more about the ProAc Response DT8? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 90 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Max power handling: 180W
• Mid/bass driver: 16.5cm
• Tweeter: 25mm
• Dimensions: 97.8 x 19.3 x 23cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Agile, articulate sound
• Expressive dynamics
• Insightful midrange

Cons

• Slightly over-badged (too many logos)

7. Triangle Borea BR08

(Image credit: Triangle)

As you can see from this list, there is no shortage of talented floorstanding speakers on the market, and the Triangle Borea BR08 is another excellent pair that offers something special.

The cabinets look a little basic at first glance, but look closer and you will see that they are solid, high-performance, and neatly finished. The plinths simply bolt onto the bottom for extra stability, although we would like the provided spikes to be a little sharper to get through thick carpets.

A three-way design, the BR08 uses two fiberglass-coned bass units assisted by a front-firing reflex port, and a 25mm silk dome tweeter. Their relatively high sensitivity means you should get good volume levels from even lower-powered amps, although their nominal 8-ohm impedance dips to a 3-ohm minimum, so you will still need to check for compatibility.

Give the speakers plenty of space to breathe (a good 40-50cm in all directions), angle them in towards the listener, and you will hear the Triangles at their best. We would stay away from bright-sounding electronics, but find appropriate partners, and you will be blown away by their entertaining sound. They show a sense of vigor and dynamic strength that many rivals fail to match. Definitely worth an audition.

Want to know more about the Triangle Borea BR08? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 92 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Max power handling: 150W
• Bass: 16cm
• Midrange driver: 16cm
• Tweeter: 25mm
• Dimensions: 102 x 20.6 x 31.4cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Excellent dynamics and punch
• Impressive rhythmic drive
• Terrific agility

Cons

• Requires care in partnering
• Needs a larger room to shine

8. ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2

(Image credit: ELAC)

The ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is are solid performer for the money. Mature and sophisticated, they are robustly engineered and unfussy when it comes to positioning. The drivers use Aramid fiber for greater stiffness, resulting in a clean sound with plenty of detail and dynamic expression.

It is not a criticism when we say that some rivals provide a fuller presentation—in fact, some rivals offer more in most regards. However, detail and textural insight are ELAC’s forte. They can take note of an instrument’s body as well as any idiosyncrasies in the way it is played, which makes for a compelling listen.

ELAC has been in the speaker business since the 80s and has produced many fine products in that time. It is fair to say that these new Debut F5.2 speakers should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts. For this kind of money, they are an exceptional value.

While others may demand attention, these Debut 2.0 F5.2s would rather earn it. They make their point clearly and concisely, delivering every note with an honest expression. If they were a person, they would be easy to miss, but impossible to ignore.

Want to know more about the ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 86 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 6ohms
• Max power handling: 140W
• Mid/bass driver: 13cm
• Tweeter: 25mm
• Dimensions: 102 x 18 x 23cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Loads of detail
• Weighty, precise bass
• Snappy timing and dynamics

Cons

• Rivals offer a more playful presentation

9. Spendor A7

(Image credit: Spendor)

There is a stunning level of detail on show with the Spendor A7. Every instrumental strand and vocal quirk is laid bare—musicians beware, there really is nowhere to hide. The sound is clean and organized, while still packing plenty of punch to keep things entertaining.

Vocals are a particular highlight. They also time with pinpoint accuracy and are immensely transparent, without ever sounding too clinical. They are still full of expressive melodies and undulating dynamics that will keep your head nodding.

They are hardly what you would call “cheap,” but if you are in the market for a pair of top-notch floorstanders, the elegant A7 should make its way to the top of your list.

Spendor’s speakers tend to resemble one another closely, so it might be possible to copy-and-paste our review of the award-winning A4s here with just a few tweaks. However, the Spendor A7s deserve their time in the spotlight and to receive plaudits of their own. The big brothers of the A-Line, these A7s are superb floorstanders that sound great, look great, and are compact enough to fit most homes.

Want to know more about the Spendor A7? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 88 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 8ohms
• Max power handling: 200W
• Mid/bass driver: 18cm
• Tweeter: 22mm
• Dimensions: 93.4 x 18 x 30cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Stunning insight and precision
• Expressive sound
• Compact size and unfussy nature

Cons

• Nothing of note

10. Q Acoustics 3050i

(Image credit: Q Acoustics)

Q Acoustics has dominated the “best sub-grand floorstander” category for over a decade. And while the 3050i has been bested by DALI’s outstanding Oberon 5, these former Award-winners still have plenty to offer.

They are not lacking in energy or scale, tempered by plenty of musicality, warmth, and control. In fact, you will only need to hear these speakers for a few minutes before wondering which finish will best suit your room. They are supremely talented.

If your love for bass and big sound is larger than your budget allows, these might be just what you are looking for. You owe it to yourself to acquire a great pair… such as these Q Acoustics 3050i.

Want to know more about the Q Acoustics 3050i? Click here.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensitivity: 91 dB/w/m
• Impedance: 6ohms
• Max power handling: 100W
• Mid/bass driver: 2 x 16.5cm
• Tweeter: 22mm
• Dimensions: 102 x 31 x 31cm (H x W x D)

Pros

• Musical performers
• Large-scale presentation
• Flexible about positioning

Cons

• Nothing of note at this price