When you’re setting up a home theater, you really need the perfect speakers to make it not only look nice but sound amazing as well. From things like bookshelf speakers to standing speakers and everything in between, you need to acquire the best to really enhance your sound quality.
Of course, you also may not want to spend thousands of dollars purchasing the best equipment. If you think about it, each little piece can have a pretty hefty cost. That’s why we’re here to help you find the best floor standing speakers under 500. Standing speakers in this price range can really help you perfect your sound system for the ultimate setup.
Related Reviews: Best Floor Standing Speakers Under $300
In this guide, we will share with you the best floor standing speakers under 500, complete with detailed reviews, specs, ratings of the features, what to look for, and an intuitive buyer’s guide to help you out along the way.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Floor Standing Speaker
Let’s start at the beginning. If you want the best floor standing speakers, you need to know what to watch for and look for. This price range is really a pretty good range and you can easily get some of the very best options out there for this price. It gives you a lot of room to work with to fulfill a variety of needs.
Take a look at these details to help you know just what you might want to look for specifically.
Types of Floor Standing Speakers
There are multiple different types of speakers and they all work in different ways. Ultimately, they all work as speakers to bring you awesome sound but how they get set up and how the sound works with other parts of your system may differ slightly.
The main types are passive, powered, 2-way, and 3-way. Here’s a better break down for you.
Passive Floor Standing Speakers
A passive speaker is used to pass through the sound basically. These can’t stand alone and they need something to add intensity to the setup in order to operate. This is typically done with the connection of an amplifier but you might also be able to use a collector.
Passive speakers can be great. Just be aware that you may need other equipment to appreciate them. Of course, if you’re setting up a home theater system, you’re probably going to be using something to amplify anyway so this typically won’t be a major problem.
Powered Speakers
Powered speakers are also known as active speakers. It’s basically the opposite of passive. These can stand alone. You don’t have to connect to an amp as the speakers are designed to intensify on their own. Of course, you can still use an amp if you want to.
The benefit of a powered speaker is you knock out the middle man. Rather than convoluting your sound with yet another added piece to the system, you can just connect the speakers and get the same or sometimes a better result.
With a powered speaker, they’re ready to use out of the box without extra connections required. It’s pretty handy.
2-Way Speaker
2-way speakers are kind of unique. They actually work especially to be able to get the lows and/or the highs. These speakers disconnect from frequencies and use subwoofers or tweeters as well as woofers to achieve the best of both sounds.
You can have an active or passive speaker that operates with 2-way sound. The driving factor is that it is designed to reach both the highs and the lows.
3-Way Speaker
The 3-way speakers work from 3 directions or features to create sound. You still have your woofer and tweeter but you also have the mid-reach so there is just one more inter-connective piece that works to bring you the best sound quality overall.
Basically, each of these 3 pieces on a 3-way speaker works to the extreme levels they are intended for so you get super highs, awesome lows, and a really great reach in the middle as well. Basically, these are your top of the line designs because they are known for the best frequency response range.
These are also known for having clear and exact sounds when compared to a 2-way speaker. They simply are slightly more advanced.
Size of Speaker
Another thing you need to consider in buying floor standing speakers is the size. While these are typically made to be tall and slender, they are not always the same sizes. Some will be tall and some will be shorter. You will also see differences in widths and such as well.
You can choose what works for you. Whether you need something compact or you want a towering option you can get what you need. The size is going to be solely related to your space, your design wishes, and your own setup.
Sound Quality
Obviously, the sound quality is probably one of the most important elements of buying the best floor standing speakers under 500. Buying affordable speakers does not mean you have to sacrifice sound in your system.
You can get the natural sound that has deep bass. You can get theater quality sound, and you can get high quality sound that caters to what you want from a speaker. The audio quality is important. You basically want it to hit the highs and lows you’re looking for and you don’t want it to cut out on you while you do it.
Sound quality means it sounds amazing when you’ve got it connected. No fuzziness and no missed notes are important here.
Recomended: KEF q950 Review
The Best Floor Standing Speakers Under 500 Reviewed
Keep these details in mind as we move into the next section of our guide. In this section, we will share with you all of our top picks. We searched and tested and listened to what others were saying so that we could bring you some of the best.
The good news is that in this price range, you really have a lot of options. You can also look for more budget-friendly choices even within this realm. You certainly don’t have to spend $499 to find something great.
We think you will be pleased with the options here. We made every effort to bring a variety of solutions so that there could be something for everyone.
1. Best Overall: Klipsch Synergy Black Label Tower Speaker
First up is our top overall speaker. Klipsch falls right into the middle of the price range and these speakers offer impressive sound performance. They have the classic copper tweeters that Klipsch is known for and that dome tweeter helps to produce excellent sound for your listening pleasures.
These tower speakers are dynamic passive speakers. They produce an accurate sound that helps the speakers sound great with high frequencies and low frequencies as well as mid range. The design is meant to be efficient so that you get more output at peak power but it really uses less energy to get there.
The sound is accurate and does not fatigue. You do want to make sure you have a quality amp for connection to really enjoy that sound. These work great in large rooms and the sounds are lifelike and enjoyable in all regards. It’s a balanced sound approach from a more than the decent speaker.
The build quality is also reliable here. We really appreciate this design as it’s sleek and yet it stands out just enough that it’s not tacky but looks really great in pretty much any settings you might think of.
Specs:
| Power: | 400 watts |
| Type: | Passive |
| Tweeters: | 1 inch |
| Woofers: | 6.5 inches |
| Dimensions: | 39 x 8 x 15 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 10
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- Enjoy full range sound from a passive speaker
- One of the best speakers under 500
- Lifelike sound
- The speakers feature copper tweeters
- Clear sound waves in various frequencies
Cons:
- These are passive speakers so you will have to plan additional connection like amp and bi wiring
Why We Like It: Klipsch has proven to offer home theater speakers that look great and sound great. These are easy to use and with the passive design you can even just bring them in as a floor standing speaker replacement if maybe yours isn’t great and you need to upgrade.
2. Budget Pick: Polk Audio T50 Powered Floor Standing Speaker
Polk Audio has been delivering better sound quality for a very long time. In this case, they do it in affordable floor standing speakers. The sound output is some of the best audio performance around on these floorstanding speakers. With a wide frequency range and simple design tactics, you really can’t go wrong here.
These deliver decent bass for the price and are typically known as a mid range speakers. The Polk Audio T series is really designed to bring you brilliant sound for less. These are very similar to three way speakers because they have your typical tweeters and woofers but also have bass radiators to really bring you immersive sound.
For budget speakers, they have great bass output sound drivers. Your stereo system will never be better. The best part is you can pair these with other Polk Audio pieces to get a complete setup with the floor speaker being just one piece of that puzzle.
Polk Audio openly presents itself as an affordable brand but they don’t cut strings when it comes to giving you quality. They bring you a simplistic design and fill it with the best drivers and sound features for any sound taste.
Specs:
| Power: | 150 watts |
| Type: | Active |
| Tweeters: | 1 inch |
| Woofers: | 6.5 inches |
| Dimensions: | 10.25 x 9.25 x 36.25 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 9
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- Budget floor standing speakers you can depend on
- Polk Audio brings you perfect for a home theater setup
- Quality audio signals for any range
- Almost set up like a three way speaker with bass radiators
- Broad sound range that is surprising for the power
Cons:
- Despite the bass radiators the lowest frequencies sometimes still lack punch
Why We Like It: We love that you can get floor standing speaker placement on a budget and Polk Audio does it right. These are perfect for sound systems and as far as affordable floor standing speakers go, it really doesn’t get much better.
3. Best Value: Sony SS-CS3 Three Way Speakers
When it comes to getting the best bang for your buck, check out these Sony tower speakers. This is a three way speaker cabinet with four drivers. They are some of the best floor standing speakers under 500 and you will be hard pressed to find floor speakers that outdo the sound output you find here.
Such speakers are challenging to come by in this price range but this tower speaker really will take you by storm. Sony has been in this industry for a number of years and their quality has always been reliable. This is the best way to get studio sound right in your own home.
These speakers are set apart by having a tweeter as well as a super tweeter built into the tower speakers. have a bass response that presents deep bass in the bass reflex cabinet. Each single floor standing speaker in the pair will produce crisp sound for your home theater.
It’s not just about the audio performance but rather about trying to bring you the best frequency range and sound output that you could want. The peak power brings you more sound for less energy so you have the efficiency you need to enjoy the sound.
Specs:
| Power: | 145 watts |
| Type: | three way speakers |
| Tweeters: | 1 inch and 3/4 inch super tweeter |
| Woofers: | 8 inches |
| Dimensions: | 5 x 9.1 x 36.3 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 9
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- Three way design for a better frequency response range
- Includes a soft dome tweeter and a super tweeter
- A bass response for the books
- Overall sound quality stands out from the extra details
- Best value for floor standing speakers on the market
Cons:
- The bass lacks a real punch despite quality bass response frequencies
Why We Like It: The frequency response really stands out thanks to the dual tweeters on these standing speakers. These are no glorified bookshelf speakers but rather some of the best standing speakers you will find in the range. When you’re looking for value for the money, it doesn’t get much better.
4. BIC America RTR 3-Way Standing Speaker
If you would rather have a large single speaker rather than twin standing speakers, could be a great option. It is larger than your traditional floor standing speakers. That is because it is designed to do with a single speaker what most systems will do with two of them. This makes it a sound system that gives you audio quality all in one place.
When you take a look at this tower, you see a full sound system and it looks awesome with that red design in the woofer. The woofer alone is 15 inches so it’s sizable. This helps you get a better frequency response and deeper bass.
This is a 3-way speaker so it has a mid range built in there as well. That speaker is 4 inches and designed for optimal dispersion. The materials are made with MDF materials and include a vent. This helps to keep it affordable but also still durable and reliable.
The frequency response range is vast so this floor standing speaker really delivers for you. It’s a simple but reliable design. Peak power is over 300 watts. The low bass response drivers combine with mid range and tweeter drivers bring you balanced sound.
Specs:
| Power: | 325 watts |
| Type: | three way speakers |
| Tweeters: | 2 inches |
| Woofers: | 15 inches |
| Dimensions: | 43.8 x 20.8 x 15 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 9
- Size: 9
- Power: 10
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- A single floor standing speaker as opposed to two
- Durable and reliable build quality
- Affordable price with all of the power
- Standing speaker looks and sounds great
- Stylish red woofer
Cons:
- Considering the 15-inch woofer, the bass is not quite as deep as you might expect
Why We Like It: This floor standing speaker comes to you in single form instead of dual tower speakers. For speakers under 500, you get build quality that works and sound that you can depend on for volume and resonance.
5. Rockville TM80C Home Theater Tower Speakers Under 500
This next tower speaker for speakers under 500 is a classic style that people still love. Rockville is made with cherry wood and the build quality is phenomenal. These even come with a remote. If the cherry wood isn’t for you then you can also just get white or black instead. This gives you the ability to get whatever style really works for you.
This option is an 8-inch speaker but again you can also upgrade to 10-inch speakers if you prefer. Both of those options fall into the price range under 500 so you can get whatever works for your needs. These are almost your entire system in a single swing. They even have Bluetooth capabilities.
These have the awesome power to his those high frequencies and low frequencies with range. You have your woofers, subwoofers, and a dome tweeter to fill in the sound. Considering the price, these have a ton of features. Enjoy SD card playback, 150-foot range, built-in equalizer, and even a remote control.
Dynamic balance woofers combined with the other parts of this setup bring you sound output and an optimal frequency range. These floorstanding speakers really bring it all to you. Don’t forget the digital display that makes it just that much better.
Specs:
| Power: | 800 watts |
| Type: | three way speakers |
| Tweeters: | 2 inches |
| Woofers: | 8 inches |
| Dimensions: | 6.3 x 31.9 x 12.99 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 10
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- Optimal frequency range and high power
- Soft dome tweeter pairs with mid range and subwoofer
- These floor speakers are Bluetooth compatible
- Very nice cherry finish (or black or white)
- Tower speaker has a digital screen
Cons:
- Sometimes the bass actually gets too heavy for some
Why We Like It: These floorstanding speakers are very sleek and stylish and they carry a lot of awesome features that you just don’t find in this price range very often. Bluetooth, a digital readout, and even a remote control give you a little bit of everything.
6. Go Groover Tower Speaker Bluetooth Speaker
The Go Groover is super simple by design but also simply advanced when it comes to technology. Forget those older designs that have that obvious tweeters and woofers and look at this tall, slim tower that is just that, plain and simple. The top of the tower has a digital display. This design is meant to leave behind a small footprint but still provide powerful audio and it seems to work well for that purpose.
It’s pretty cool because it’s almost universally compatible with a variety of options. There are multiple media inputs including auxiliary, SD, USB, and traditional Bluetooth. These floorstanding speakers come as a single unit but for the price, you could purchase 2 for under $500 if you wanted to.
Another benefit here is you can actually charge your devices while the tower is in action. With a USB, you can plug in your device and get to charging. There’s even a holding slot to help you out for a place to set it down. This is super easy to pair with and it can be used in just about any space.
These floorstanding speakers are of high quality. They use 2.1 audio to have a reduced footprint but it sounds great by itself or connected to other audio designs. The sound is meant to be immersive with thumping bass. It’s even covered by a 3-year warranty.
Specs:
| Power: | 120 watts |
| Type: | Active |
| Tweeters: | undefined |
| Woofers: | 30 watt (size undefined) |
| Dimensions: | 38.25 x 9.87 x 8.5 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 9
- Size: 10
- Power: 9
- Ranges: 9
Pros:
- Unique floor speakers design that is just a solid tower
- Bluetooth compatibility
- Multiple connection options
- 2.1 immersive sound
- Quality sound with a lighter footprint
Cons:
- The volume doesn’t get as loud as people would like
Why We Like It: This speaker brings you style and grace in a simple and suitable package. It’s not made to be fancy but it looks great anywhere. For standing speakers under 500, you get a decent bass response and all-around nice sound.
7. Jamo Studio Series 807Floor Standing Speakers
Next up, we have a floor standing speaker pair from Jamo. This is a studio series and they come in either a walnut wood finish or a black finish, whatever you prefer. The brand also has a white set but the design is slightly different and they are quite a bit more expensive. This does come with a pair and they are designed with two woofers and a tweeter.
These speakers are Dolby Atmos ready. This company even has a patent-pending seamless fastening system. These speakers are known for their Wave Guide technology, which really brings out the acoustic sounds. The end results are fascinating with brilliant sound on all levels.
Where most floor standing speakers have just a tweeter and a woofer and sometimes a mid-range, this one actually uses two woofers that are 5 inches each. The dome tweeter is a soft dome tweeter. The compilation of both presents hearty bass and really nice acoustics overall.
Jamos does have other pieces so you can get a complete set. The really cool thing with this piece and this brand is you might be able to get the towers and a center speaker to pair with it and yet still remain in the under 500 range if you want to.
Specs:
| Power: | 100 watts per channel |
| Type: | Passive |
| Tweeters: | 1 inch |
| Woofers: | 5 inches (x2) |
| Dimensions: | 36.02 x 7.52 x 9.92 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 9
- Ranges: 9
Pros:
- Sleek design with a walnut finish
- Uses upgraded technology for the best sound
- Designed to be contemporary in nature
- You can purchase the pairing center speaker and still be on budget
- Double woofer for deeper bass
Cons:
- The sound is not always balanced so you may have to play around with the settings
Why We Like It: This is a simple passive speaker pair and we love that you can get that extra piece to make them work and still stay under 500. The style is contemporary and sleek and the sound is really great considering the cost.
8. Yamaha NS-F210BL Two Way Floor Standing Speaker
For our final option, we bring you a treat. This speaker from Yamaha comes as a single speaker but you can buy a pair if you prefer (and still be under 500). You probably know about Yamaha and the quality is phenomenal. They make a great sound and people come back to this brand for a reason. These are two way speakers and they are slim and tall, giving them a unique appeal.
These speakers are designed with bass reflex in a 2-way format. The design of these speakers really focuses on the dynamic sound and it comes from HD sources. The slim design makes these really great for fitting in with modern technology and modern TV designs.
Don’t be fooled by the slim model, though. These are still heavy-duty. They have steel anchors to hold them down at the base so that you can enjoy the bass. The woofers used on this design have light aluminum cones and are meant to respond quickly for the best sound.
These really stand out primarily by design but keep in mind they come as a single floor standing speaker so you may need to purchase two if you want that double feature design.
Specs:
| Power: | 120 watts |
| Type: | 2-way speaker |
| Tweeters: | 7/8 inch |
| Woofers: | 3 1/8 inches (x2) |
| Dimensions: | 9.4 x 9.4 x 41.4 inches |
Key Features (on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Overall Sound: 10
- Size: 10
- Power: 10
- Ranges: 10
Pros:
- Slim and stylish design floor standing speaker
- Lightweight woofers for fast response time
- Steel anchors for the base
- 2-way bass reflex floor standing speaker
- Full, dynamic sound
Cons:
- This comes with only one floor standing speakers rather than two
Why We Like It: These floor standing speakers are really only one speaker. Some people felt misled because of the pictures but the titling is clear about this. You can still buy a full pair and stay under 500. These are super sleek with a slim design.
Buyer’s Guide
You’ve got a variety of floor standing speakers here that you can depend on. There are styles and sounds for every single preference. Before you make a final decision, take a look at this simple buyer’s guide.
These are just details that might be beneficial to you so consider them before you make your purchase.
Frequency Response
The frequency response is the depth of sound. This range will affect your high notes, your low notes, and everything in between. It’s the frequency and the powerful combination that are really going to affect your sound quality in the end.
Really, you probably should consider the quality of the sound before you take a look at the style because even if you perfect the style, it doesn’t mean that the speaker is going to sound amazing. So, sound first and then pick your style.
Of course, that’s really up to you to decide. What sounds just ok to someone else might sound really awesome to you.
Take a look at the whole picture, which includes frequency response range, tweeters, woofers, setup requirements, and more.
Sensitivity and Volume
Another important element is the volume levels and the sensitivity of the speaker. When we say sensitivity, we’re referring to the sensitivity to volume and sound changes. You also want to be able to get the volume that you want.
The volume is typically rated in decibels. What you might notice is that some speakers will have really nice sound and really great lows and highs but they lack volume. What we mean is that you can hit that volume button over and over and yet still feel like your music isn’t loud enough.
You want your speakers to be able to project, especially if you are trying to cover a large room or a large area with sound. Volume is important. Good bass and good high notes are not all that great if your volume won’t handle it.
With that also comes the impedance rating. This is measured in ohms. Basically, this is the load a speaker can handle and how the current flows through the speaker. We recommend looking for an impedance (or ohm) rating of 8 or less. Really, 4 is the top of the line but 8 and 6 are also acceptable for quality sound.
Wiring and Set Up
You need to keep in mind how you plan to set things up, as well as what you will have to have to set things up. For speakers like the active, 2-way, and 3-way options, you can simply connect them and let them do the work.
However, if you use a passive speaker, you will need to connect to an amplifier so keep this in mind. You also can connect others to amplifiers or center speakers or whatever else is out there to really bring your entire setup together.
In a home theater setup, you probably aren’t going to just use floor standing speakers, although you can. In most cases, you are probably connecting to other parts of a setup. We understand this is not always the case but be sure you understand when you absolutely must have other connections and when it is not required.
Warranty & Guarantees
Finally, you might want to keep in mind whether or not the company provides you any type of guarantee or warranty for the speaker(s) you purchase.
Not all companies will offer you any type of warranty or guarantee. However, other companies may have 1-3 year warranties. It’s even better if you get a choice for a satisfaction guarantee in case you aren’t happy with your initial choice.
These are just a good way to protect your investment. You never know when you might face a defect or even receive a damaged product that needs to be replaced or repaired. Having a warranty is just a good way to protect yourself in the event that something like that occurs.
How to Set Up Floor Standing Speakers
If you’re going to use a floor speaker, you need to know how to set it up to make the most of it, right? Placement really is everything in this regard. You have to arrange it in a manner that looks nice but also in a manner that envelops the sound the way it is meant to be.
If you have a speaker pair, separate them and face them where the sound will spread throughout a room. Don’t block your speaker output with other items or decor. Be mindful of the speaker size so that it fits into your spaces.
Placing a rug under your speakers might improve the sound because it helps reduce vibration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Multiple Placement Options?
Yes, you can typically place your speakers in a variety of ways. You just want to be sure you understand how to place them and face them to really get the best sound possible with the speaker.
Do Floor Speakers Come in Pairs?
Some come in pairs but some are sold individually. You will want to pay close attention to this detail to ensure you are aware if you will only be getting one speaker or if you will get more than one. If you’re expecting two but only get one that can certainly be disappointing.
Can I Mix Brands of My Sound System?
Yes, you can mix brands. However, if you are purchasing multiple parts of a system it might be better to buy all the same brand. This way you know for sure they are compatible to work together and even designed to work together for the best sound.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide to finding the best floor standing speakers under 500 is helpful to you. We made every effort to bring you a variety of options but also to bring you valuable information to make an educated decision.
There is a lot to comb through here so just remember that you want great sound and you want something that fits your style and needs. What’s right for you very well may be different than the next person.
Expert Tip
Worry about the details rather than about the style or the brand name. You can find some really awesome speakers in this price range if you are willing to give them a try even when don’t come from some major, popular brand.
Did You Know?
A passive speaker is the only type of speaker that requires a specific connection to something like an amplifier in order to work. If you don’t use an amplifier you will be sorely disappointed. If you look at a passive speaker, be prepared for this detail.
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John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
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