Published On: November 18, 2022

Best Tower Speakers Under $1,000

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Published On: November 18, 2022

Best Tower Speakers Under $1,000

Many people will say that you need to spend several thousand dollars to get quality tower speakers. I can understand that some only want the best sound quality but saying that you need several thousand dollars for floor standing speakers is simply not true. Although it’s not impossible to find tower speakers for less than a thousand dollars, I’ll admit that it can be quite the challenge.

    Many people will say that you need to spend several thousand dollars to get quality floor-standing speakers. I can understand that some only want the best sound quality but saying that you need several thousand dollars for floor standing speakers is simply not true. Although it’s not impossible to find tower speakers for less than a thousand dollars, I’ll admit that it can be quite the challenge.
    What makes it hard to find quality speakers on a budget is that you’ll have so many different options to choose from. It can take a lot of time before you find great models. I decided to make the search easier for you. It would be hard for me to say what are objectively the best tower speakers under $1,000 because it has a lot to do with your personal preferences. That’s why I included a few different models for you to choose from.
    If you haven’t bought tower speakers before or it’s been years since you went shopping for them, you might not remember that they’re individually priced. Some people get confused when they see the price and think it’s for the pair. That’s why I decided to also include best tower speakers under $1,000 for pairs.


    SVS Prime Pinnacle

    SVS Prime Pinnacle

    When I first saw the SVS Prime Pinnacle speakers in person I was stunned. This type of exterior design and finish is something I'd expect only from premium speakers that cost several thousand dollars. There are two color options you can choose from - black ash and piano gloss. Both give the speakers their modern and industrial look.
    These are three-way speakers. They come with a composite fiber glass midrange driver, an alloy dome tweeter, as well as three polypropylene bass drivers. The impedance is advertised to be at 8 ohms but it doesn't seem that way when you test it.
    SVS is a company that is primarily focused on making subwoofers. With that being said, one of the biggest benefits to getting Prime Pinnacle speakers is that you'll experience a powerful bass-heavy sound.

    Pros:

    • You get extraordinary build quality at an affordable price.
    • Top-notch bass performance.
    • Alluring design you'd expect only from premium speakers.

    Cons:

    • You might need to purchase a good amp to get the most out of the Prime Pinnacle.
    • It's debatable whether the impedance on these speakers sits at 8 ohms.

     

    PSB Alpha T20

    PSB Alpha T20

    PSB has managed to attract a high number of loyal customers with the consistency of their output. The Alpha series of speakers has been around for more than 25 years. You can expect amazing performance and reliability from the T20 model.
    The engineering aspect of this model is quite impressive. No previous model in the Alpha series has achieved the high frequency response level that the T20 provides. This is all thanks to the black anodized aluminum dome tweeter. These speakers provide clear and crisp sound. The bass is really smooth and fine-tuned to almost perfection.
    There is no doubt that these are among the best tower speakers under $1,000 that you can find on the market today. But there is one thing that I don't like about them. The exterior design is so basic that I just don't see myself buying them for my home. Some might like the basic and simple design, while others might not care about aesthetics at all. If you find them charming or don't care how they look, you should seriously consider getting these speakers.

    Pros:

    • Amazing model from a line that's been around for more than 25 years.
    • Outstanding high frequency response.
    • Crisp and clean sound.

    Cons:

    • The design is very basic and might not be alluring to some people.

    Definitive Technology BP-9040

    Definitive Technology BP-9040

    As far as aesthetics are concerned, I can't find any other tower speakers that cost less than $1,000 and feature a better design than Definitive Technology BP-9040. This is a truly modern and innovative design that you'll likely appreciate if aesthetics are important to you.
    One of the most notable things about the BP-9040 is that this model has a built-in 8-inch subwoofer for each speaker. You're free to control the bass levels and set them to the perfect level for you. The speakers give people the option to easily integrate the Dolby Atmos surround sound system through a dedicated module. This makes them perfect speakers in case you're buying them for your home theater.
    At the price of $999 per speaker, they are just barely under $1,000. However, they're worth every penny. The immersive sound stage they provide will result in memorable listening experiences.

    Pros:

    • The design is modern and truly unique.
    • Easy to integrate with Dolby Atmos surround sound system.
    • Built-in subwoofers.

    Cons:

    • They're quite heavy.

    Best Tower Speakers Under $1,000 (Pair)

    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F

    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F

    First off, I'd like to introduce you to a magnificent and affordable pair of tower speakers made by Klipsch. The RP-280F model comes at a low price but offers outstanding value. Like with all Klipsch tower speakers, the company put extra effort to ensure the speakers provide high efficiency, maximum dynamic range, flat frequency response, and dispersion control.
    This company is known for having developed a proprietary technology known as the Tractrix Horn. It's with this technology that Klipsch can provide customers with almost unparalleled dynamic range and dispersion control. The Tractrix Horn ensures that the sounds emitted through the speakers won't reflect much off floors, walls, and ceilings. Instead, the sound will flow in the direction of the listening position.
    The Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F speakers are quite big and heavy. You should ensure that you have enough space in your home. I also recommend that you ask for help from a friend when you're ready to unpack the speakers and set them up due to their size and weight.

    Pros:

    • The speakers feature outstanding flat frequency response, maximum dynamic range, dispersion control, and high efficiency.
    • Klipsch included their famous Tractrix Horn technology in the RP-280F.
    • Affordable quality speakers.

    Cons:

    • The speakers are really big and heavy.

    Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F

    Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F

    The Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-280F are without a doubt excellent speakers, but if you're looking for something with stronger bass then you should take a look at the Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F. When you first buy them, you might not notice the bass being extraordinary. Just give them some time to break in and you'll be amazed at how powerful the Monitor SE 3000F speakers are.

    The midrange driver in these speakers is clean and detailed. The overall sound quality is superb, especially considering the price tag. These speakers feature a slim design and won't take up too much space in your home.
    The cabinet design might not be for everyone. I personally don't like how these speakers look. But I also know people who find them charming. To each their own as far as aesthetics go but there's no denying that the Monitor SE 3000F are objectively amazing speakers.

    Pros:

    • Perfect speakers for people who enjoy bass-heavy sound.
    • They won't take up too much space in your home.
    • Detailed and clean midrange driver.

    Cons:

    • The cabinet design might not be appealing to some people.
    • You'll need to give the speakers some time to break in.

    Jamo Studio Series S809

    Jamo Studio Series S809

    These speakers feature Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. With this technology, the listening experience is on another level. Play some of your favorite tunes and you'll feel like you're at a live concert. Play a movie and you'll get the impression like you're at a cinema.
    I personally like the cabinet design of the Jamo Studio Series S809. The speakers are lightweight compared to a lot of floor standing models. You won't need a lot of space to set up the S809 in your home.
    The overall sound quality is amazing. The sound emitted through these speakers is both clean and crisp. The only downside is that the bass isn't really that great. You might need to buy a good subwoofer if you want enhanced bass levels.

    Pros:

    • The S809 comes equipped with Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.
    • Sound is crisp and clean.

    Cons:

    • You won't get a bass-heavy listening experience without an additional subwoofer.

    What Can You Get By Paying More?

    What if you're willing to spend more on a pair of tower speakers? In case you're looking for models with better quality and a higher price tag, you should check out the speakers below. Note that each of the following three floor standing speakers costs up to $4,000 for the pair.

     

    KLH Model Five

    KLH Model Five

    It was 1968, and KLH released an iconic pair of floor standing speakers called the Model Five. The company's decision to release these speakers ultimately led to success on an unprecedented level for the KLH brand. The company wanted to revisit these speakers and reintroduce the model with modern engineering and design.
    It's a bold move to revisit one of the most legendary sets of speakers released, but KLH doesn't disappoint with the improved Model Five. The exterior design gives off a retro vibe that many will appreciate. There are three different color options available, including Nordic noir, West African mahogany, and English walnut.
    These speakers come equipped with a 10-inch cone woofer, 4-inch cone midrange driver, as well as a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter. It would be an almost impossible mission to find better tower speakers than the Model Five in terms of overall sound quality. Although they're quite pricey for the average customer, note that you might also need a solid amplifier to get the most out of these speakers.

    Pros:

    • Extraordinary sound quality.
    • Vintage cabinet design.

    Cons:

    • You'll likely need to get a good amp to get the most out of the Model Five.

    Polk Audio Reserve R700

    Polk Audio Reserve R700

    The Polk Audio Reserve R700 is a model that features a clean and basic design. They certainly don't give off the same impression as the KLH Model Five in terms of aesthetics, but they still fit well in most rooms. There are only two color options available for the R700 - black and brown. There used to be a white finish variety but it got discontinued, which is a shame because that's the color I like the most.
    What's notable about the Polk Audio Reserve R700 is the inclusion of the new Power Port 2.0 technology. The way the port was designed in this model allows the air to smoothly exit the cabinet, which helps provide a more detailed design.
    These are three-way speakers with a sensitivity of 88 decibels and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. They feature a bass-heavy sound due to the inclusion of the 8-inch bass drivers.

    Pros:

    • Amazing bass-heavy sound.
    • Innovative Power Port 2.0 technology.

    Cons:

    • These speakers take up a lot of space.

    MartinLogan's ElectroMotion ESL

    MartinLogan's ElectroMotion ESL

    MartinLogan has always been a company that stayed in its own lane and got really creative with almost every pair of speakers they released. The ElectroMotion ESL is no different, which you instantly notice when you look at the futuristic exterior design.
    These speakers are equipped with a technology familiar to loyal MartinLogan customers, known as Curvilinear Line Source. This technology is notable for allowing the speakers to achieve high frequency dispersion from a large radiating surface. With that being said, don't expect anything except incredible sound quality from the ElectroMotion ESL.
    Throw on some of your favorite tunes when you install the ElectroMotion ESL, and you might hear instruments you never heard on those songs before. I should note that it takes some time to break in these speakers, so be patient after you install them.

    Pros:

    • The speakers feature the Curvilinear Line Source technology.
    • The ElectroMotion ESL provides an amazing immersive listening experience.

    Cons:

    • You'll need to give the speakers some time to break in.

    How to find the best tower speakers under $1,000?

    How do I find the best floor standing speakers under $1,000?

    I examine several key attributes to determine the overall quality of different speakers. I rely on this method whenever I look for tower speakers, whether they’re for myself, a friend, or the readers. There’s also a tool I use to compare the quality of different models. It’s called Crutchfield SpeakerCompare and it’s a really neat tool that allows you to compare how different models sound. I suggest you try it out before you make a purchase.
    Here are the attributes that I examine when I’m looking for tower speakers.

    Speaker Drivers

    The floor standing speakers I buy always have modern and quality drivers. These are important components because they take electrical audio signals and convert them into sound waves. These components include woofers, tweeters, and midrange drivers.

    Sound Quality

    In terms of overall sound quality, you can't go wrong with any of the speakers listed above. However, I know that some people have their own preferences in terms of sound. Some would like to get tower speakers to primarily watch TV shows and movies, while others would like to listen to music on them. It's important to consider sound quality in terms of your intended use.

    Speaker Size

    Some tower speakers will take up a lot of space. That's why speaker size is also an important attribute to consider when buying them. You don't want to end up with floor standing speakers that are too big for the room you placed them in.

    Sensitivity

    Do you like to turn up the volume and feel the sounds going through you? If so, sensitivity should be an important metric to consider when buying tower speakers. The sensitivity determines how loud speakers can get. In case this is an important metric for you, make sure that the sensitivity is 90 decibels or more.

    Impedance

    Most tower speakers have impedance that sits at 4, 6, or 8 ohms. This is a measure that allows you to determine how efficiently the sound is able to go through the speakers.

    Aesthetics

    Tower speakers can be a great addition to the interior design of a room. But if you don't get a pair of speakers that aesthetically fits with the rest of the room, they might have a negative impact on the interior design. That's why it's important to consider aesthetics when buying floor standing speakers.

    Best Tower Speakers: FAQs

    What are floor standing speakers?

    You can recognize floor standing speakers by their height and width. Nearly all of the models that fall into this category are three feet tall or more. They also sit directly on the ground, meaning that you won't have to mount them to anything.

    What are two-way, three-way, and four-way configurations in tower speakers?

    When a speaker has a two-way configuration, it means that it consists of a woofer and a tweeter. Three-way configurations also feature a midrange driver. Four-way speakers also contain a component known as a super-tweeter.

    Can I use floor standing speakers for my surround sound system?

    Floor standing speakers are perfect for a surround sound system. The quality of sound they provide is superior to bookshelf speakers. All of the speakers on the lists above are great for a surround sound system.

    Do tower speakers need a subwoofer?

    No, you don't need a subwoofer to enjoy the listening experience your floor standing speakers can provide. But that's not to say that you shouldn't get a subwoofer. This additional speaker can take the bass to another level.

    Does the size of tower speakers matter?

    As long as you have enough space in your room to comfortably place the tower speakers, it shouldn’t matter too much. On the other hand, you should pay attention to the speaker size if you have limited space in the room you want to place them in.

    Are there good tower speakers that cost less than $1,000?

    Not only are there good tower speakers under $1,000 individually, but you can also find amazing pairs that cost less than a thousand dollars.

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