Whether you have a basic record player or a top-of-the-line turntable setup, speakers are going to be a defining factor between good and bad sound quality. If you’ve invested your money into vinyl records and a turntable, it’s important that the speakers in your setup pull their weight. Excellent speakers can transform a good vinyl listening experience into an amazing one.
That’s why we recommend considering purchasing a set of high-quality floor-standing speakers. Not only do floor speakers typically have a louder max volume than bookshelf speakers, but they also deliver a wider frequency response, especially in the low frequencies.
In this guide, we’ll outline the best floor speakers for vinyl as well as why you might consider one model over the other. Browse by application or budget – there’s something in this guide for everyone. Take a look!
How we choose our floor speakers
Here at HiFi Hippo, we pride ourselves on serving vinyl fans with unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date information. Our curation team is comprised of audio professionals as well as hobbyists.
We spend our free time researching ways to improve our personal home audio equipment. All that knowledge and research from forum posting and testing is passed down to our readers in an easy-to-digest and convenient article.
Jump to a floor speaker
The 5 best floorstanding speakers for vinyl
Klipsch RP-280F Reference Premiere Floorstanding Speakers
My top pick
Technical specs & features
- Passive speakers
- 2-way ported speaker design
- Power output: 150W continuous, 600W peak power
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Driver sizes: 1″ Titanium LTC tweeter, x2 8″ Copper Cerametallic Cone Woofers
- Frequency response: 32Hz – 25kHz
- 5-year warranty
Pros
Flexible and Removable Grille: Craftsmanship is a strong point for this pair of speakers. Not only does the grille offer a sense of style, but it can be attached magnetically. These magnets are placed within the baffle, which helps to deliver superb diffraction reduction for high frequencies.
Copper Cerametallic Woofers: Regarded as the pinnacle of Klipsch driver design, the rigidity and material quality of the woofers are built to impress. They boast a lightweight construction and are known to have very minimal distortion.
Tractrix Geometry: Get the fastest air transfer from the cabinet thanks to the Reference Premier ports. This helps the speakers carry a clean and powerful response to low frequencies. It’s small design features like this that make a world of difference in the overall sound.
Cons
Bass-heavy: These floor speakers can be relatively bass-heavy. Although this is great for certain types of music, I wouldn’t say that it’s useful for every kind of music genre and will take some fine-tuning to get dialed in.
Requires the proper supporting equipment: It’s important to note these speakers need to be supported with the right stereo and turntable system in order to truly shine. If you try to push too much power out of a sub-par stereo, you may get some distortion at higher volumes.
The best sounding floor speaker for your vinyl collection
Here’s where things start to get real, the Klipsch RP-280F floor speakers. These speakers are widely regarded as some of the best floor speakers for vinyl and perform similarly to other speakers in higher price ranges.
Firstly, the frequency range is a huge defining factor for these speakers. Of course, adding a sub will give some additional bass response, but it’s almost unneeded with how low these speakers can go. On the inverse, the high-frequency range pushes audio beyond the typical levels of human hearing and gives the listener an added sense of detail.
Boasting a peak power of 600 watts, the RP-280F speakers can fill a large room with studio-quality sound.
Simply put, these speakers sound ridiculously good. If you’re looking to experience your vinyl records like never before, the Klipsch RP-280Fs are the best floor speakers you can get for vinyl use.
Klipsch Reference R-26FA Floor Speakers
Runner up
Technical specs & features
- Passive speakers
- 2-way ported speaker design
- Power output: 100W continuous, 400W peak power
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Driver sizes: 1″ Aluminum LTS Tweeter, x2 5.25″ Cerametallic Cone Woofer
- Frequency response: 38Hz – 24kHz
- 5-year warranty
Pros
Elevation Channel: Get the benefit of a well-rounded listening experience as these speakers direct audio in more than one direction. This is possible through the integrated elevation channel, which brings sound directly to the listener and reflects off the ceiling surface as well.
Tractrix Horn: You shouldn’t have any difficulty getting the most out of audio dynamics. These speakers are designed to provide a quality, high-end frequency response, including enhanced imaging of the sonics in all of your favorite records.
Linear Travel Suspension Tweeters: To help minimize distortion as much as possible, these speakers include the LTS tweeters that are known to be a staple of the Klipsch brand. Of course, distortion levels may vary based on the genre of music, but these tweeters are built to handle more than you might expect.
Cons
Sound Quality: You’re going to deal with some limitations regarding the overall quality of the sound these speakers deliver. Some genres of music may sound better than others, but those that come with a lot of dynamic range may not shine through. If your ear is not hyper-trained to high-end stereo equipment, you probably won’t notice, but it’s something that separates these floor speakers from the Klipsch RP-280Fs.
Poor Set-up Instructions: This may not pertain to the quality of the speakers themselves, but the instructions that come included are not only confusing but inaccurate. Moreover, they seem to be void of relatively important bits of information to achieve a proper setup. At the end of the day, they’re speakers and pretty easy to set up without directions, but still, it’s something you would expect at this price point.
A tower with a lot to consider
The Klipsch Reference R-26FA are simply some of the best floor speakers for vinyl for the price. Coming in under $650 as of writing this guide, these speakers are well-equipped to take your listening experience to the next level.
Built with quality components engineered to produced detailed audio, the R-26FAs have a frequency range of 38Hz-24kHz. This means they’re capable of producing rich bass tones and sizzling highs. This paired with an impressive power output rating allows for a dynamic audio experience.
Movie and vinyl fans alike will quickly feel captivated by the impressive sound of these floor-standing speakers – all at a reasonable price point. That’s why they’re our #1 pick as top floor speakers for vinyl.
Sony SSCS33-Way Floor-Standing Speakers
Best value floor speakers
Technical specs & features
- ¾ in. super tweeter
- 145W max input power
- Dual 5.12in woofers
- Hi-Res audio
Pros
Full-frequency audio: With a 3-way coaxial, and 4-driver design, this speaker aims to deliver a full-frequency listening experience. The super tweeters provide wide dispersion of audio, and the mica-reinforced woofer cones focus on a deeper low-end sound.
Tapered faceplate edges: To help provide a clear sound with every use, the speaker includes tapered faceplate edges that eliminate unwanted noise from the cabinet and baffle board. This is paramount to high-quality performance, and it also suppresses edge diffraction.
Great price: For what these speakers have to offer, most customers seem to be quite happy with the quality in regard to the cost. Speakers can quickly become much more expensive, so that makes the price point of this speaker pretty hard to beat.
Cons
Neutral sound: These floor speakers don’t deliver a very colorful sound. They do deliver a great frequency range, but the overall quality of the output may not be as diverse as you expect. In short, the depth of the audio quality falls flat for some people.
Loudness: This may sound like a good thing, but the speaker’s sound tends to travel quite far, even at a low volume. Considering the lack of range in the depth of the audio, this could be somewhat bothersome.
Low-end: Although it’s able to tap into low-end frequencies, the SSCS3s don’t provide much strength in that frequency range.
Great sound at an awesome value
Aside from the fact that the Sony SSCS3 is undeniably cost-efficient, you also get the benefit of its tall and slim design, making it a great choice for any vinyl set-up. When you compare the features to the price, it’s evident that you’re getting quite a bit for what you’re paying. It’s built for optimized crossover componentry, in addition to 145W of input power.
It does tap into a decent frequency range, but it should be noted that you may not get the most depth out of it. Nevertheless, this isn’t too much of an issue in the world of vinyl records, as many people are casual listeners. The construction also includes a 3-way coaxial and four-driver speaker system, which are vital components of the frequency range it’s capable of.
The speaker may be sold as an individual unit, but you won’t break the bank by ordering a pair, and it delivers a multi-faceted sound that isn’t overbearing. You’ll also notice that the speakers project audio with a strong forward trajectory, so you won’t have any issues hearing your favorite vinyl records all throughout the house. This isn’t to say the speaker is the best option on the market, but it does offer some of the best value for the money, especially when compared to many other high-end speaker systems.
Dayton Audio T652 Tower Speakers
Best budget floor speakers
Technical specs & features
- Passive speakers
- 2-way ported speaker design
- Power output: 90W continuous, 150W peak power
- Impedance: 6 Ohms
- Driver sizes: 1″ AMT Tweeter, x2 6.5″ woofers
- Frequency response: 45Hz – 20kHz
- 5-year warranty
Pros
High-end clarity: With the help of a ⅝” polycarbonate dome tweeter, these speakers offer a sound quality that’s dynamic. This is also due to the inclusion of ferrofluid cooling, and they project a clear high-end that provides the sound fidelity you’re looking for from your vinyl records.
Broad frequency response: Listeners get the benefit of a 45 to 20,000 Hz frequency response which encourages many low and high-end frequencies to shine through, regardless of the music genre.
Dual woofers: Featuring a 6 ½’ polypropylene cone, the dual woofers focus on providing a modern sound quality with rich and deep bass. They’re made with a 4-layer coil and are a vital component to the listening experience as a whole, whether a song is bass heavy or not.
Cons
Harsh at high volume: These speakers come with plenty of sound integrity, but this seems to lack quite a bit once you start to reach higher volumes. This isn’t necessarily uncommon with a lot of speakers, but it can be jarring nonetheless.
Distortion: You’ll find varying comments on this topic among buyers, but I feel it’s clear that some distortion is to be expected. It’s important to note that this could develop based on the type of music you’re listening to as well.
Frequency quality: Although the speakers are capable of reaching a broad frequency range, it has trouble providing a top-notch quality across the spectrum. The low end may not have as much punch as you would like, and the clarity of the high end doesn’t always come through with the greatest detail.
Big sound on a budget
For under $200, you can’t get much better tower speakers than the Dayton Audio T652 models. While, yes, there are certainly some shortcomings when compared to higher-priced floor speakers, the T652s still provide great value as budget speakers.
Frequency and power output are similar to what you would find in mid-range bookshelf models, but for a fraction of the price. If you’re not required to turn these speakers up too loud, they’re great options. Of course, if you’re looking to place these in a larger room, you might want to consider other models with higher peak power ratings.
When it comes down to it, the Dayton Audio T652s are some of the best budget speakers in this category and are the best speakers for vinyl-lovers who are looking to make a jump in sound quality without breaking the bank.
SVS Prime Pinnacle Floorstanding Speakers
Best high-end floor speakers
Technical specs & features
- Passive speakers
- 3-way ported speaker design
- Power output: 600W peak power
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Driver sizes: 1″ Aluminum Dome Tweeter, 5.25” Midrange Driver, x3 6.5” Woofers
- Frequency response: 29Hz – 25kHz
- 5-year warranty
Pros
5.25” mid-range driver: Made with a composite glass-fiber cone, the drive is able to provide impressive audio accuracy that’s aimed to create an immersive listening experience. A broad soundstage is important for any speaker, and this mid-range driver helps to achieve that.
Port-tuning frequencies: This feature allows the speakers to provide a seamless transition between mid-range and mid-bass for the most fluid, low-end response. This helps the audio sound more full while delivering a distinct clarity between frequencies.
SVS SoundMatch: Included to provide a broad and multi-faceted soundstage, the SVS SoundMatch crossover is a core aspect of the speaker’s accurate frequency response and precise imaging for any type of vinyl record.
Cons
Cost: It can’t be argued that these speakers are pretty expensive. This wouldn’t be a great starting point if you aren’t too familiar with the ins and outs of how speakers are made. They’re an investment in quality, but they may be too pricey for some people.
Weight and Height: The speakers are pretty tall, sitting at 41.1″ in height, and weighing roughly 57.1lbs. It’s clear these aren’t meant to constantly be moved around, and you want to ensure you have the space necessary before making a purchase.
Premium sound at a premium price
SVS has a reputation for bass with their long line of subwoofers. The SVS Prime Pinnacle floor speakers do not shy away from their heritage. These speakers are everything a set of audiophile floor speakers should be.
From an extreme low to high-frequency range, massive power output, and premium driver components, it’s no surprise that the Prime Pinnacles are taking 1st place in many audio contests and speaker review publications.
For music lovers who have invested hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars into their turntable setup, the SVS Prime Pinnacles are some of the best sounding speakers on the market and thus some of the best floor speakers for vinyl.
What should you look for in a floor-standing speaker?
You might be wondering what makes floor speakers sound good? We look at a few key specification elements when making our list. Obviously, you need to pick the best speakers for your budget, but beyond that, how do you decide between two similarly priced floor speakers?
Power Output
One key advantage of floor speakers compared to bookshelf speakers is their power. Larger amplifiers and drivers are able to be included in the cabinets of floor speakers, thus allowing for a louder sound. The more wattage, the louder the speakers.
For small rooms, bookshelf models can work well, but for filling a larger room with sound, the additional wattage coming from floor speakers is a necessity.
Speaker size
Speaker size often correlates with better frequency response. Of course, many speaker manufacturers have found effective ways to engineer smaller drivers to be more efficient, but when looking at floor speakers, you want to consider if the drivers are enough to handle your audio needs.
A mix of tweeters, mid-range, and woofer drivers is needed to create a dynamic sound. If the speakers are too small, things might sound thin – too big and the opposite could occur.
All speakers in this list have been evaluated to produce a dynamic sound. A dynamic speaker is one that is capable of producing loud and quiet sounds across the audio frequency range.
Cabinet size
From a practical sense, large speaker cabinets are harder to arrange in a room and harder to move. We suggest taking measurements of your room before purchasing a set of floor speakers so you know what sort of placement limitations you’re working with.
Speaker placement is extremely important, and it can make your pricey investment sound dull if not properly practiced.
Amp compatibility
Ensuring your floor speakers are compatible with your amplifier is extremely important. Like speakers, amps have certain power outputs that they can provide to speakers. Too low and you won’t be able to harness the full power of your speakers, too high and you might damage your drivers or the internal components.
Most amplifiers have their power rating listed on the back, but if not, many manufacturers included this information on their website.
FAQs about floor speakers
We realize you might have a couple more questions about floor speakers. We’ve tried to address common questions we see online below:
Do floor-standing speakers sound better than bookshelf speakers?
While this is not always the case, floor-standing speakers often do sound better than bookshelf speakers because they’re able to include more drivers, crossovers, and additional audio components to improve the sound.
A good way of thinking about this is the highest quality floor speaker is going to sound better than the highest quality bookshelf speaker.
Click here for more information about bookshelf vs. tower speakers.
Do I need a subwoofer with floor-standing speakers?
Do I need a subwoofer with floor-standing speakers?
Subwoofers are not needed with floor-standing speakers but can improve the bass frequencies of your audio. If you feel a lack of low-end presence in your sound, adding a subwoofer will help mitigate this.
Do floor-standing speakers need to be on the floor?
Yes, floor-standing speakers should always be placed on the ground and not on an elevated surface. This is because they’re specifically designed to direct sound at ear listening level. Elevating them would push the sound delivery higher, thus affecting the perceived sound.
How far apart should floor-standing speakers be?
Floor-standing speakers should be at least 8 feet apart from one another and create an equilateral triangle between each speaker and where the listener is typically sitting.
Final thoughts
As you can tell, there’s a wide range of prices and performance when it comes to floor speakers. Whether you’re looking for a high-end audiophile speaker or a budget option, there’s something for everyone on this list.
We hope you found our research informative and helpful. Thanks for reading!
Related Articles
Lead Editor / Owner
After beginning his career in the video and audio recording industry, Andrew started HiFi Hippo to share his knowledge and passion for vinyl and vintage audio with other readers.