Best floor standing speakers under 5000 - Top rated tower speakers
Do I even need to point out the undeniable fact that a quality floor standing speaker can supercharge your entire sound system pretty much instantly?
Yeah, I didn’t think so, either.
They’re good-looking, attention-grabbing – and they sound spectacular. Most of the Hi-Fi speakers in this price range will happily fill a large room with sound or make for an excellent addition to your home theater.
You’d be insane to miss out on an opportunity to get one of the best floor standing speakers under $5000 – especially when I’m here to help you pick the right one!
In a hurry? After 34 Hours of Research, We Recommend:
Klipsch RP-8060 FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker
Why it is better?
- Excellent 3D effects
- Tonally accurate low, mid and high frequencies
- Features the Hybrid Horn Technology
- 98-dB sensitivity
Last Updated: February 2023
By Barry Allen: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding best floor standing speakers available for those who are interested in improving their audio setup. The best 5 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best floor standing speakers currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.
Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $5000 - Top 3 Comparison Table
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Klipsch RP-8060 FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker
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Klipsch RP-280F Reference Premiere Floorstanding Speaker | | | | | | |
SVS Ultra Tower Flagship 3-Way Loudspeaker | 45.6 x 13.8 x 16.8 inches | | | | | |
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Floor Standing Speakers
Power Ratings
At the risk of acting like Captain Obvious here, floorstanding speakers – and any other type of speakers, for that matter – are going to need electricity to produce sound. That’s why the speaker’s wattage, among other things, is one of the vital tell-tale signs of its performance.
We’re talking about the power that your speakers will be able to push out – but that’s the simple part.
What’s not so simple is that there’s more than one power rating at play here. You see, wattage is split up into two categories – continuous, or RMS, and peak power.
Peak power ratings are the more attention-grabbing ones, and you’ll often manufacturers advertising these insanely high numbers because they look impressive. However, these only tell you about the maximum capacity, something that the speakers can only handle in short bursts.
The real power rating to focus on is continuous (RMS) – that’s a far more realistic take on how powerful tower speakers are. In other words, it shows you the amount of power that they really can push out continuously, on any given day, and on average volume levels.
Sensitivity
It’s really easy to get carried away when you see best speakers boasting impressive-looking power handling capabilities, but be sure not to overlook the sensitivity, which, by the way, directly relates to loudness.
Sensitivity is a way to measure the efficiency of speakers in terms of converting sheer power into audio and is expressed in decibels (dB).
So, in theory, if you were to have several speakers that shared the same construction and specifications, with the only difference being their sensitivity ratings, they would have noticeably different loudness levels, even when using the same amount of power.
That said, there’s no universal, independent testing or standards for speaker manufacturers. However, sensitivity is still a generally accepted means of determining the speaker’s potential loudness.
Floorstanding speakers do tend to lead the way when it comes to sensitivity levels, with some models shooting for exceptionally high, 98-dB sensitivity. In any way, you really shouldn’t settle for anything less than 88 decibels.
Frequency Response Range
The frequency range is, in essence, a measure of how high and how low the sound can go, which sounds simple enough on the surface.
In theory, a more extensive frequency range will ensure more detail and clarity of the audio that the speakers produce, even if the human ear is, in practice, only capable of hearing sound within the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range.
Frequency response range in Hz (sub and super sonic ranges are not audible to human hearing)
You may notice that some of the speakers in this review that dip way down into the low end and shoot way beyond the upper limit of our hearing. That doesn’t mean that you’ll suddenly be able to pick up sounds that go outside the range of human hearing just because your speakers can produce them.
Instead, it will result in a noticeable increase in detailing and precision throughout the frequency range, and bass that you’ll undoubtedly feel thumping away – even if you won’t really be able to hear it.
Drivers
Floorstanding speakers typically feature several drivers – individual “engines” that produce sound through vibration – as a part of their configuration to ensure a more vibrant and detailed sound.
We’re talking about different types of drivers, too, each of which is responsible for a particular portion of the speaker’s frequency response range.
That’s also why you’ll see a noticeable difference in driver size, too:
High-end frequencies have short sound waves, and the actual drivers that produce them can be smaller. The low-end frequencies, however, have long sound waves and call for significantly larger drivers.
And while this can vary from speaker to speaker, there are the three types of drivers you can expect to find in most floorstanding speakers:
•Tweeter – These relatively small drivers get their name from the sounds that birds make, and are reserved for high-pitched sounds. They’re typically located on top of the speaker’s front panel and cover the high-end frequency range.
•Mid-Range Driver – Roughly speaking, the mid-range goes from 500 to 2000 Hz. That also happens to be the range where the human voice and instruments fall in, which is explanation enough as to why you need a good midrange driver.
•Woofer – Tackling the low-end and delivering high-quality bass response is what woofer drivers do best. The superior bass lines of the tower speaker’s woofers are one of the reasons why they’re often picked over bookshelf speakers.
Overall Design: Dimensions and Looks
The specifications I talked about previously are only a part of the equation when it comes to choosing the best floorstanding speakers. When you have a set of tall, attention-grabbing tower speakers placed smack in the middle of the room, you quickly realize how vital their look is, too.
So, the aesthetic aspect is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Otherwise, you may end up with speakers that look a bit out of place – or even flat out ugly.
Next, you should pay attention to the construction of the cabinet, which should be well-made and anti-resonant. Ideally, it should feel durable and sturdy without allowing any variations in response or sound distortions.
Oh, and last but not least, do make sure that you’re getting the right size for the room, because tower speakers are by no means small and compact units.
The larger the speakers, the louder the sound – but you still need to check the actual dimensions to see whether they’ll physically fit in their designated space!
Top Floorstanding Speakers Under $5000 Reviewed
1. Klipsch RP-8060 FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker
- BEST OVERALL -
If you have read some of my previous reviews, you can probably tell that Klipsch models have often made it to my top picks. It can be attributed to the top-notch HiFi speakers that this company has produced over recent years.
And I can tell you that their 2018 model, Klipsch RP8060 FA Dolby Atmos floor-standing speaker, is no different than their standard signature. If you’re new to this line, however, let me introduce you:
“RP” is short for “Reference Premiere” line that holds the first place when it comes to home theater and other events that require an immensely powerful set of stand speakers. That’s the reason why the 8060FA is not the only product from the RP series I’ll be reviewing today.
The Design
Firstly, this speaker is easy on the eyes, with sleek metallic trim rings, aluminum-plated spikes, and a satin finish on the baffles. The spikers, or feet, are designed to minimize the contact of the speaker with the floor, and it is a nice touch.
Did I mention a beautiful, laser-engraved logo at the front?
It adds to the overall look. There is a reliable and sturdy magnetic grille that you can easily mount and remove, but I must admit I prefer this one without it. It’s just too attractive to cover it.
Everybody will envy you if you own one of these home theater speakers - even more so when you turn them on.
So, let’s see what they offer performance-wise.
The Performance
Klipsch RP-8060 comes with virtually everything one could ever want from a valuable floor standing speaker.
The peak power that the speaker holds is 600 watts, whereas the maximum continuous power is up to 150 watts. Pretty thunderous, huh?
The outstanding sound and bass quality come from two 8-inch spun-copper woofers, enhanced with an upward 6.5-inch woofer.
This system of drivers also features a 1-inch horn-loaded tweeter, which is another remarkable trademark of Klipsch speakers. It accounts for the high-frequency precision and details.
In addition to securing an excellent life-like quality at all frequencies, woofers and the horn-tweeter provide a spectacular 3D dimension to the sound due to their effective positioning. This means that besides movies, music will sound fantastic.
If tiny details matter to you, you’ll be happy to learn that you can switch between two channels of amplification, as this HiFi speaker has both bi-amp and bi-wire connections on the backside.
- Excellent 3D effects
- Tonally accurate low, mid and high frequencies
- Features the Hybrid Horn Technology
- 98-dB sensitivity
2. Klipsch RP-280F Speaker - Budget Pick
Did you know that Klipsch has over 70 years of experience under its belt?
Considering the effort and time that went into perfecting the design of their home theater floorstanding speakers, you shouldn’t be surprised to see another Klipsch product on my list.
The RP-280F of the Reference Premiere series, in particular, is an excellent choice for the budget-conscious bunch!
The Design
First off, know that we’re talking about an updated version of the old but well-known model from Reference II line here. At the same time, though, you should treat the RP-280F as a unique pair of floorstanding speakers, because they do come with a few essential modifications.
There’s a recognizable Klipsch vibe to the MDF cabinets, with the spun copper finish and the Tactrix horn; that, I think, is something that will never change.
I like how they were given a slight tilt at the base, too, which should help with the overall soundscape focus.
Hidden behind the magnetically-attached grille are the speaker’s drivers – all three of them. The RP-280F boasts dual 8-inch drivers and a one-inch tweeter fitted inside the Tractrix horn. Another distinction is the rear-firing Reference Premiere port, which now has the signature horn-like shape, too.
Klipsch and its horns, am I right?
The Performance
“You’re looking at a pair of large floorstanding speakers; the amount of sound that they can push out shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
Or, at least that’s what I told myself when I started the music listening test. And guess what? I still had to pick up my jaw from the floor.
The 32 Hz to 25 kHz frequency range, the 150-watt RMS power, and the 98-dB sensitivity all come together – and team up with the drivers I just mentioned – to create a massive powerhouse of a speaker.
And when you have a pair, the full experience is unparalleled.
The bass is deep, punchy, and powerful overall, and the rest of the range is produced with exceptional richness, clarity, and detail.
I honestly don’t think that you can get a better sounding pair of speakers than the RP-280F in this price range!
- Amazing value for the money
- Deep lows and thunderous power
- Surprisingly good mids
- Great sensitivity
- Considering the price, I simply can't complain!
3. SVS Ultra Tower Flagship 3-Way Loudspeaker
If you’re going to name your speakers “Ultra,” they better have the looks and performance to back it up. Then again, this is SVS we’re talking about; if there’s a speaker manufacturer that can create such a mean-looking set of speakers following the "bigger-is-better" rule, it’s them. Seems like people there simply don't like little things.
Granted, the brand may be better known for the subwoofers – but the SVS Ultra Series loudspeakers are an excellent high-end-sounding solution, nonetheless.
The Design
They’re in a league of their own design-wise. There’s nothing boxy or typical about these speakers:
Rather than going straight down, they’re a geometric statement of sorts, with the backside flaring out, creating a dramatic effect.
Because of this, the dimensions of the speakers are all over the place. However, there’s no denying that standing 45.6 inches tall, they dominate the room.
One of the benefits of this not-so-compact cabinet design is that it has enough room for large drivers – and quite a few of them, too.
The front panel is home to a one-inch, aluminum-dome tweeter, located between two composite glass-fiber 6.5-inch mid-range drivers. The SVS ForceFactor 8-inch woofers, however, are horizontally opposed at the base and combined with a rear-firing bass port.
The Performance
The "bigger-is-better" theme includes more than the design of these speakers, and bleeds into their performance, as well. Let's review the performance:
The recommended power clocks in at 300 watts, coupled with a rather average, 88-dB sensitivity, which doesn’t sound overly impressive; it's good overall, especially when you pair it with enough power. The frequency response range goes from 28 Hz to 32 kHz, and is one of the first indicators of what you’re in for:
These speakers deliver full, deep, and impactful bass that anchors the sound with a thundering low-end. More importantly, despite all its heft, it remains agile and responsive. You may get away with skipping a dedicated subwoofer altogether!
It’s not without flaws, as I did notice a lack of snappiness and detail at the very top, probably because the poor, little tweeter couldn’t keep up with the monstrous thundering beneath it.
The sound is still exceptional, with good stereo imaging, and a fluid and captivating mid-range that not once sounded unfocused or muffled.
- Geometrical, eye-catching design makes them stand out
- Solid frequency range and plenty of loudness
- Two 8-inch horizontally opposed woofers per speaker
- Tight, deep, and impactful bass
- The highs can come off as overwhelmed by the powerful bass
4. Martin Logan Motion 60XT Speaker
When you read “Martin Logan,” you thought of those electrostatic panels, didn’t you?
But as much as I respect the innovation behind that line, I’m here to show you some of the best floor standing speakers under $5000. It’s the non-electrostatic Motion series, and the 60XT speaker, in particular, that fits the bill here.
The Design
The 60XT may be the largest in the Motion series – it is, after all, 48 inches tall – but it’s far from bulky. Despite the rather bold dimensions, Martin Logan’s designer team managed to retain a sense of much-appreciated elegance:
The speakers are tall and slender, and the gloss finish prevents them from looking all too plain, while also ensuring that they fit into any environment, without drawing too much attention- a lot to like.
Another interesting thing about this model is the feet – or spikes – that help drive the feet into thick carpeting to make it more stable, while also lifting the speaker off the floor.
There are three woofers total – dual 8-inch woofers and a dedicated midrange driver – and the innovative Folded Motion XT tweeter with an increased surface area sitting at the front panel.
That “XT” part must stand for “Extreme,” huh?
The Performance
The specs seemed really promising, with 20 to 400 watts of power per channel and a sensitivity of 94 decibels. The frequency range is a little less broad than I would prefer but still goes from 35 Hz to 25 kHz.
The sound quality of these speakers is every bit as shiny as that glossy finish of theirs; I was taken aback by how well defined everything was!
Also, I didn’t find this level of clarity and neutrality even in some high-end speakers, especially when it came to tough-to-reproduce instruments. The 60XT manages to keep the music natural and free of coloration, which is a huge plus.
Killer bass and a vast soundstage are tons of fun, but I want to add that a balanced midrange and detailed, natural highs play a significant role when you’re listening to music. And this Motion model offers all that – and then some.
- Features the Folded Motion, accordion-like tweeter technology
- Strong bass response thanks to dual woofers and a mid-range driver
- Excellent imaging and soundstage
- Maintains neutrality and keeps the sound natural and coloration-free
- May require a break-in period
5. Definitive Technology BP9020 & CS904
