Floorstanding loudspeakers are meant to be seen and heard. They make a statement about the importance you place on audio reproduction. Instead of trying to blend your sound into the woodwork or complement your new flat-panel display, these beauties show who you are. They stand on their own, front and center. And they remain the best option if sound quality is your primary concern.
Today’s specialized loudspeakers are no longer just the left and right speakers for either your home theater or stereo system. Most are magnetically shielded so they can be placed right next to that new big-screen HDTV. There are many varieties of floor-standing speakers: two-way (with a woofer and tweeter), three-way (with a woofer, midrange driver and tweeter), four-way (with two woofers, a midrange driver and tweeter), and a combination type with several drivers. Some models feature sophisticated electronic crossovers, while others include built-in subwoofers.
The two most predominant cabinet finishes these days are piano black or silver (which matches flat-panel TVs). Traditional wood finishes still appear for many upscale brands.
Floorstanding Speakers Featured in this Slideshow
I want to purchase some Jamo R909 speakers; can somebody recommend an amp/pre-amp for these? Thanks.
Bose in the top 52 speakers, there’s something wrong here. Please make a list of quality speakers, not what people want to hear. Wilson Alexandria X-2 have to be in the top 10. Damn expensive, but unmatched in sound quality (for stereo only, I agree). If sound quality is my only concern, then price is not. Magico Ultima or even Magico Mini should then make that list.
Apparently you did not review any Revel gear, or do you think like some other people I’ve met that they are ‘too linear’?
Fun list. Great combination of high end and entry level speakers. I’m in the market for low-mid priced speakers (ie. $8-12000). Not sure if I want to buy just the best front speakers I can affort with that or spend the wad on a complete surround package. Of course, the second option would (may) compromise the stereo quality a bit for the advantage of home theatre. I have the amp choice down to two-NAD master series 15/25 combo or the new Lexicon HD. Speaker choice so far is PSB, Revel and B&W. I see by your list that there are so many more options but I have a hard time cosing between the choices from thee above three.
But I’m thinking the PSB M2/C4/S2/sub 10 theatre combo; or B&W 802D or Revel Performa F52 or Ultima Gem 2 as stand alone stereo speakers and fill in rest of system as money permits (could be over as long as a 3-5 year period)
Well, thanks for your site-it got me re-interested with B&W again. Hope you update it over time.
Brian
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Before buying electronics consider how the speakers will sound in your home environment. The Jamos are dipole speakers, which means they are going to radiate in a figure-eight pattern. If the room has lots of hard surfaces you may want to treat the room before making a substantial investment in electronics. You can do simple things like placing books in the corners of the room and throwing pillows on the couch and chairs.
If the room has carpeting and plush cushions you can compensate with electronics and cabling possibly.
In any event, solid state amps from McIntosh, NAD, mark Levinson and Halcro along with some Transparent cabling will sound good if the room has some brightness to it.
VTL, McIntosh and Cary Audio tubes will also sound really good in that type of environment.
If the room is soft sounding amps from Krell, Bryston and Rotel along with cabling from Straight Wire are some good choices to look at.