10 Best Floor Standing Speakers Under 500 – Tower in 2022

Getting the right speaker for your home theater is a tough task. Especially when you are an inexperienced or first-time buyer and look towards purchasing the best floor standing speakers under 500, things can get tricky. Even the seasoned audiophiles are sometimes caught by the catchy lines and end up making a choice that isn’t up to the mark.

Quick Answer: Top-Rated Best Floor Standing Speakers Under 500 in 2022

Best Overall: Polk Audio TSi400 Floor Standing Speaker

With its black ash finish to compliment the looks and design of your home theatre, the Polk Audio TSi400 not only looks good but also plays excellent sound. They can work with amplifiers ranging from 20 to 200 watts, which are good enough to meet the needs of a ton of audiophiles. Once you get the output right, you will find the bass response impressive.

Moreover, the model is well suited for people who want a floor-standing speaker for small to midsize rooms. You can make a small room shake with these giants. While adding a subwoofer will be of great help and enhances the sound to a decent extent, you don’t actually need them for the full audio. However, it will still be an excellent complement to the sound. You can get a pair of TSi400 under $500, and considering the price range, you get solid audio power.

Features

• High performance speaker.
• 34HZ to 25KHz frequency response.
• Versatile performance.
• Can deal with 20 to 200 watts/channel amplifiers (for best performance).
• 3 fiber cone woofers that have a diameter of 5.25 inch each.
• 1-inch tweeter that offers dynamic balance.

Best High End: Yamaha NS-F150 Floor Standing Speaker

Let’s move to a different make in the form of Yamaha and take a look at the NS-F150 model. This certainly stands among the best floor standing speakers under 500 because of its style and audio profile. On top of that, a stunning black piano finish is given to you with a weight of only 24.7 pounds. Along with that, you get a three speaker design with two way sound output and dual 6.5-inch cone woofers.

Also, crisp audio is delivered to you with its two way three speaker design and 1-inch soft-dome tweeters. There is a great bass output with the assurance that the quality of the sound is not compromised at all. It comes with gold plated speaker terminals that enhance its appearance.

All in all, this is a great companion for your home theatre settings. Especially if you watch movies at regular intervals, this has all the elements to be your go-to speaker.

Features

• Piano black finish.
• 2 way output.
• 3 speaker design.
• Gold plated speaker terminals.
• 24.7 pounds weight.
• 1 inch soft dome tweeters.
• 37Hz to 30 kHz response range.

Best Budget: Pioneer SP-FS52 Floor Standing Speaker

Individuals who are long using audio gear are likely to be pretty familiar with Pioneer as they have been working on sound output devices for a long time now. If you are looking for the reason why it is so much popular with people, you should consider having a look at this Pioneer SP-FS52.

Additionally, if you take a look at this list of top floor standing speakers under 500, you will find that SP-FS52-LR is among the low priced ones. However, don’t confuse it with the performance because it has all the elements to surprise you with its sound output. You get a natural output with a great mid to high range response.

Moreover, the design of this speaker is made by the name that needs no introduction, Andrew Jones. They are made to work well even if you don’t attach a subwoofer to these towers. Also, these speakers are great at vinyl, which we generally see in the more expensive models that come at a higher price point. Overall, it’s one of the top-rated budget floor standing speakers.

Features

• Designed by Andres Jones.
• Soft dome tweeter of 1 inch.
• Vented pole piece.
• Features an 8 element complex crossover.
• 130 watt power.
• 3 woofers of 5 ¼ inches.

Best Value: Polk S55 Tower Speaker

Polk Audio has managed to come with some serious speakers for audiophiles, and the signature series S55 is an excellent example of it. You get a rich sound output with the help of a dynamic-balance mechanism that takes place in the acoustic array. The sound is way superior to many of the speakers, and with a 1-inch terylene tweeter, you have a crisp response to frequency.

Moreover, the terylene tweeter and dynamic balance of the acoustic array work with the ceramic motor arrangements to give you great sound experience. Polk Audio has made a serious attempt to provide you with great linearity in the sound with minimal distortion.

Also, apart from the performance, the design is great. It weighs around 44 pounds, and you have durable cones that produce great bass. With a ton of connectivity options, support for bi-wire and bi-amp configurations, you are certainly in for some serious treat.

Lastly, you get an eight-year warranty, which is certainly enough to secure your purchase for many years to come.

Features

• Great surround sound.
• Dynamic balance acoustic array.
• Deeper bass with power port technology.
• 8 year warranty.
• 42 inch height.
• Dual driver operation.
• Terylene tweeter.

Best Powered: Rockville TM150C Floor Standing Speaker

Let’s get ourselves out of those different black finishes and get to these cherry powered Rockville TM80C speakers. They stand out on this list because of several reasons. First off, you get 8 inches subwoofers that can deliver a loud sound and a deeper bass. You get four drivers that can operate on the full range and come with polypropylene cones to give you the sound output that you desire.

Also, there are two silk dome tweeters to handle the highs, which is why this speaker works great with higher frequency signals. While you find the given peak power 800W, if you are operating in RMS, you can only have it up to 200W.

What makes it different from others is the digital display you have on the front panel. It gives you control over the brightness, and the remote control operations give you an edge when it comes to controlling the sound. It also contains the A/B amplifiers that increase the quality of sound.

Features

• Two 8-inch subwoofers.
• Different connectivity options.
• 800W peak power (200W RMS).
• Quad amplifier design.
• Contains rubber surrounds and bullet dust caps.
• Comes with 2 silk-dome tweeters.
• USB and SD Card support.
• Digital display.
• A/B amplifier.
• 8 band equalize

Best Small: Polk T50 Floor Standing Speaker

At this point, you may feel that Polk Audio is being given preference. However, it is just the fact that they have made so many great speakers in the given price range. T50 is another model from Polk Audio that you can consider if the prior have failed to capture you. It is visually pleasing to the eyes and melodic to your ears.

Moreover, the tower comes with the popular Dynamic Balance 1-inch silk dome tweeter, which provides you a clear and sturdy treble. Polk has done some work on the audio improvement, so even with some average components, this speaker can amaze you with its sound. You get good highs and mids, while the ability to boost the bass at low frequencies is astonishing.

Also, you have a five year warranty as you purchase the speaker to assure that you won’t end up with an unpleasant experience.

Features

• Comes with 6.5 inch drivers.
• A couple of 6.5 inch bass radiators.
• Dynamic Balance Tweeter.
• Can work with most of the home theatre AV receivers.
• 20 to 100 watts channel.
• Peak power 100 watts.
• Frequency range of 38 Hz to 24 kHz.

Best Active: BIC America Venturi DV84 Speakers

Since 1973, BIC America has been manufacturing speakers, and now and then, they come up with a model that is worthy of being a part of any home theatre. The Venturi DV-84 comes with a couple of 8-inch woofers and dual 8-inch passive radiators. These two, along with its ¾ inch soft dome tweeter, deliver HD quality sound output and assure that you can hear every note.

As for the frequency range, you get 27 Hz to 22 kHz, which is enough to respond to a vast range of audio signals. Moreover, you get a 90 dB sensitivity, which is nonetheless pretty much average. For each channel, it is suggested that you should work around 10 to 250 watts. While the drivers and overall operations give you stunningly clear sound, the radiators enhance low-frequency response and can certainly deliver you one of the best sound experiences of your life.

By looks and appearance, it is a durable speaker with about 48 inches height and 10 inches width. The black ash wood grain finish can add up to the style and looks of the room.

Features

• A set of 2 active woofers both of 8 inches.
• A couple of 8 inch passive radiators.
• ¾ inches tweeter.
• Gold plated terminals.
• Gives extra bass extensions.
• 2 way sound output.
• 5 way tower speaker.

Polk Audio Monitor 70 Tower Speakers

Probably the most fantastic feature of this model from Polk Audio is its four dynamic balance woofers of 6 ½ inches that work with a dome tweeter of 1 inch. The woofers are surely enough to cater to the needs of audiophiles and give them lavish sound output in their setup. Although you may need a subwoofer, the given set of woofers have more than enough capacity to deliver superb bass and majestic mids while the tweeter takes care of the highs.

Moreover, the overall finish of these speakers is decent. Still, it could have been better. Especially when you consider the medium density fiberboard, which is used to make the cabinet, some options could have been way better. However, still, the tone is pretty clean because of its thick ¾ inches front baffle that works along with the internal bracing system.

Also, if you work with receivers and amplifiers, you can pair this speaker with a ton of different models. However, you may have to use a lot of power to get the best output. Overall, it may not be the best as you consider other options on the list, but it certainly delivers excellent value for money.

Features

• 3 dimensional sound output.
• 1 inch trade mark Polk Audio dynamic balance dome tweeter.
• 4 woofers each 6.5 inches in size.
• Crisp stereo sound.
• Magnetic shielding.

ELAC Uni-fi UF5 Floorstanding Speaker

If you can go with a single floor-standing speaker, you might want to take a look at the ELAC Uni-Fi UF5. It not only looks great, but it can also deliver you the sound that you desire. The capability is given via its aluminum woofer that comes with a unique crossover design created by the company. For sound geeks, the frequency range may leave a little to be desired as the response range starts from 42 Hz and goes all the way up to 25 kHz. Therefore, if you are searching for super bass, this might not be the best option for you. Still, the mid-range is covered pretty well by UF5, and it gives you a bright sound output.

Also, where this speaker takes out the competition is probably the sleek design. It comes with a three-way construction and has a solid encapsulation with a stable base. So, in terms of design, it is undoubtedly impressive. As far as the sound is concerned, you get excellent mids, but the bass and highs may leave a bit to be desired.

Features

• ELAC made concentric drivers.
• Stable 3 way design.
• Sturdy encapsulation.
• Aluminum woofers.
• Great mids.
• Delivers decent crossover.
• 85 dB sensitivity.
• Frequency range of 42 Hz to 25 kHz.

Cerwin-Vega SL-15 Floor Tower Speaker

At last in our list is the Cerwin Vega SL-15 but don’t mistake it with the fact that if it is at the last it may be least good. The opposite can be true for some people so never count out any speaker in this list of leading floor standing speakers under 500.

Moreover, the speakers have the ability to deliver a punchy bass which is easily noticeable for audiophiles. While there are different elements working together, there is a reflex cabinet that plays a great role in enhancing the bass. With a 5 ¼ tweeter, you certainly get a clear voice. To sum up the audio performance, it would not be wrong to say that you have improved bass via reflex cabinet and enhanced clarity in the midrange.

However, you may find that the design is not ideal. The reds in this complete black encapsulation do not look very sleek. A bit of sporty look maybe?

Features

• Gigantic 15 inch woofer.
• Soft dome tweeter.
• Clear mid range.
• Enhanced bass from bass reflex cabinet.
• 5 ¼ inch tweeter.

Budget Floor Standing Buying Guide

We know that different rooms have different acoustic requirements. You just cannot get a single speaker and use it with every home theater unless the requirements of both sound setups are essentially the same. When you don’t have a good grip on what and how’s of speakers, you won’t be able to choose the right speaker. Therefore, you have to thoroughly read about different aspects of speakers in detail before you proceed to buy the best floor standing speakers under 500. Here, we will guide you in detail about the speakers, our picks, how you can make a choice, and some other frequently asked questions to whom you might be seeking an answer.

What is the difference between floor-standing and bookshelf speakers?

Many people say that there isn’t much of a difference between a bookshelf and a floor-standing speaker. For them, it is just about the appearance, and rest is all identical, while both output sound, capacity, and other aspects differ a great deal.

Moreover, budget bookshelf speakers are generally compact and may give you an option of a stand mount. However, you can also put them on your bookshelf, as the name suggests. Mostly, these speakers offer you two-way design, but sometimes you do have a three-way model. The tweeter is there with a small mid-bass driver. For many models, the low-end bass output is pretty limited.

On the other hand, you have the floor standing speakers about which we are going to talk in this guide. They are known to many as the tower speakers and are usually large enough to stand on a floor without the need for any external support. These typically feature a three-way output with a multi-driver design which offers excellent bass and has decent mid and high range drivers. Depending on your choice, you are likely to find bass output better than bookshelf speakers. Also, the fact that they can play pretty louder than bookshelf models.

Which one is better? Well, it certainly depends on the application. How you are going to use a speaker and where you are going to use it largely determines the way its sound is going to play. While bookshelf speakers may be the right choice for small to mid-sized rooms, the floor standers have greater and deeper output of bass and offer more sound drivers.

How to choose a floor-standing speaker?

With all the choices available on hand, it is essential to know how one should choose a good speaker under $500. While the modern-day market gives you plenty of options, people are unable to pick the right one because of a ton of reasons. Whether the fancy advertisement catches you or you have a preference for a particular brand, you should prefer making a choice based on the logical grounds and features that you have upfront. The following are a few aspects that you should consider before you proceed with the choice. You can find exclusive buying guides on Speakers Daily.

Sound quality

If the sound quality of a speaker is not good, the looks and style won’t matter much. Regardless of how stylish or good looking a speaker is, if the sound is not up to the mark, it is of no use. The main purpose of purchasing a speaker is to experience great sound and have the best quality sound output. If the speaker fails at this, which is its primary function, what would you do with all the style and different control and connectivity options?

Therefore, always consider the quality of sound output before you buy a speaker. Now, for that, different elements come into consideration, such as frequency, woofers, tweeters, etc. So, make sure that the speaker complies with your sound taste.

Size of the speaker

The next thing you have to worry about is the size of the speaker. Many people don’t take this factor into account, and when the speaker arrives, they have a hard time dealing with all the placement and where it would sound good. Before you purchase a speaker, make sure that you are aware of the size and where you are going to place it. You will get the details about the height and weight of the product, and it will help you in determining whether it can adjust to your space or not.

Do note that there are instances when you will have size going along with how big your room is and how loud you want a speaker to be. The loudness is another aspect related to the side, but it does not necessarily mean that the bigger a speaker is, the louder the sound output will be.

Two way or three way speaker?

A worthy question that many people ask is, what is the difference between a two way and three-way speaker? Which one is better among the two?

For that, you have to know about the crossover points and a bit of detail about how the speaker works. As for now, just understand that there is a point where frequencies are split, and that particular point is labeled the crossover. A speaker that splits the audio into two points, sending highs to the tweeter and mids and lows to the woofer, has a single crossover point and is known as a two-way speaker. 

However, there are instances when manufacturers put in dedicated drivers for each of the frequencies i.e., lows, mids, and highs. Such speakers are known as three-way speakers.

Do note that you won’t be able to differentiate between the two merely by the count of drivers given on front. As far as the question goes regarding the best choice, the two-way option is more affordable, but you may have to use a subwoofer alongside. However, the three-way speakers would give better sound because they have dedicated drivers to deal with different frequencies.

Cabinets and vibration

Vibrations are critical for the sound, and the floor-standing speakers can get really loud. There are times when you have flimsy cabinets that are likely to rattle as you increase the volume. It is because of the shifting of the air, which leads to sound output and vibration caused by it.

However, as you look at the best floor standing speakers under 500 dollars, you have a ton of good options around. Reinforced MDF and other technologies used, such as acoustic tuning and internal baffles, help in keeping things in check. Manufacturers like Polk, ELAC, Klipsch (just to name a few) are known for their designs and build quality.

Sensitivity levels and volume

The sensitivity levels and volume matter a great deal. When you consider purchasing a speaker, you need to know about sensitivity and volume levels to determine whether it will be enough to satisfy your sound needs. Sensitivity is given in decibels and indicates the output of a speaker at a particular power level, which is usually one milliwatt.

In the given list, most of the speaker are enough to cater to the needs of a small to medium-scaled space. However, some may find it decent for bigger rooms too. Generally, 90 dB or more is what people look for when they want strong output for bigger rooms. As you come under the given point, you get to the speakers that are good for medium and small-sized spaces.

Matching amplifiers

Amplifiers are one of the critical components that you need to power the floor standing speakers. Most of the given speakers can work at high volumes. Therefore, you need a good amplifier to deal with these giants. Generally, you will have a rating with speakers to determine the wattage and matching amplifiers. Usually, you have amplifiers working from 20 to 200 watts with bigger speakers increasing it up to 300 watts. Look for RMS specifications and get an amplifier that falls anywhere within the given range, and you will be good to go.

Bi-amp and Bi-wiring

Assume that you want a seriously good sound system, but you are short on the budget, so you want to get a speaker, and maybe you will beef up the system in the future. For that, we suggest you get a speaker with a pair of binding posts instead of the usual one.

With two pairs, you can go for bi-amping, which refers to the use of two amplifiers. You will be able to use one for mids and lows while the other to deal with the highs. If purchasing two amplifiers is not your thing, go for bi-wiring, which means that you can connect two wires to one amplifier, one carrying high frequencies while the other configured to contain lows and mids.

How to match speaker size with your room?

First of all, you need to consider the size of your room. Is it a small-sized room or a medium-sized space? Usually, 90 dB is the mark that indicates a speaker good enough for medium to large rooms. For small to medium, you will be good enough if you have a speaker with sensitivity around 80 dB.

However, it also depends on how loud you want the sound to be, and it varies from person to person. Moreover, whether you are going to use it in your lounge for general music or you are going to place it in your dedicated theatre room for weekend parties is another aspect of consideration.

Where to place a speaker?

To get the best sound experience, you have to be cautious with the placement of these speakers. Floor standing speakers are created like towers, and you can place them around your screen to create a theater-like experience. Moreover, they are not only good for the movies but can also offer a great experience if you are to listen to music.

What is the role of different speakers at home?

You often find different types of speakers in the market, and many times when you want to purchase your home theater, you might be asked about the type of speakers you prefer to have. Center channel, bookshelf and floor standing speakers surround speakers, and subwoofers together create a complete home theatre experience for you. While you can go with only one or two types of speakers, it is important to match the components with each other to make your money count.

What should be the size of my subwoofer?

Subwoofers are essential for individuals who like deep bass. When we talk about the size, it is directly proportional to the depth of the bass. For larger rooms, a 12-inch subwoofer or a larger model will work right. As for medium to small scale rooms, subwoofers anywhere between 6 to 12 inches, depending on your existing speakers and sound you want to create, will be good enough to satisfy your needs.

Conclusion

So, this is all we have about the best floor speakers under 500. Make sure to do thorough research on the speaker before you finalize your purchase. The given models are good enough to deal with the needs of people with varying requirements. Now, it is your turn to identify what you need and which one among the given speakers will work for you. Do note that the taste of every audiophile differs, so go for the components that match your style.