Key Points
- Tower speakers, are tall, vertical speakers that stand on the floor and are often designed with multiple drivers for bass, midrange, and tweeter units.
- Tower speakers may not provide the best sound quality, as they tend to magnify bass and deep tones over more distinct sounds.
- Tower speakers are large and clunky, posing a tip-over hazard and detracting from the overall room aesthetic.
- Tower speakers are not practical for smaller spaces, as they require proper positioning and can cause reverberations and degrade listening quality.
- Tower speakers can be expensive, with some models exceeding $2,000.
Better sound is a constant pursuit. Since the speakers we know today were first invented in the 1920s, people have sought to push the envelope and improve how media sounds. From home entertainment to online video to car stereo speakers to large entertainment venues, speakers are vital equipment. Tower speakers are insanely popular for those who seek a better listening experience — but you may be sadly mistaken if you believe tower speakers are the best choice.
What Are Tower Speakers?
Tower speakers, also called floor speakers, are tall, vertical speakers that stand on the floor. You’ve seen them in homes or other venues standing precariously beside a large television or entertainment system. Or you may have noticed them standing in corners at larger public venues where they really belong. Many users mount them on stands. They seem to flank many sound system setups and can even be found on boats!
They are often designed with multiple drivers for bass, midrange, and tweeter units; however, most floor-standing speakers do not make the best full-range speakers.
Before you dive in and purchase these floor-model sound behemoths, you may wish to consider some potential drawbacks. Proponents tout their resounding bass and broad sound capacity, but there is more to a quality sound experience. Bigger is not always better and what is popular with many is not always the best choice. If you are shopping for the best sound experience for your particular application or space, consider these five reasons to avoid a new pair of tower speakers today.
Reasons to Avoid Tower Speakers
Before you invest in a set of large tower speakers for your home, office, den, bedroom, or other space, consider these reasons they may not be your best option.
Volume Is Not Sound Quality
The popular image of tower speakers is the head-banger cranking out enormous sounds and irritating the neighbors. Consumers may imagine using tower speakers with a home theater setup and getting the best surround sound from movies and television. However, if you enjoy listening to music or watching movies at very high volumes, you may notice some distortion in the sound quality.
Tower speakers produce deeper bass tones, but this is not all that goes into superior sound quality. Most tower speakers are not full-range systems, so you will not get the best mid-range sound quality. The middle range is where most video sounds and voices are in movies and television. Accuracy and clarity trump blaring and chest-thumping sound that makes home entertainment uncomfortable.
Sound engineers know that higher volume typically degrades sound quality. Large tower speakers tend to magnify bass and deep tones over more distinct sounds. Smaller, better mid-range sound quality speakers are likely a better choice for most home or office listening environments.
Tower Speakers Are Large and Clunky
Space considerations are a factor in most venues, especially your home. Tower speakers are large and clunky and can even pose a tip-over hazard if small children or pets are nearby. They can subtract from your overall room aesthetic, even if you choose a model that matches your decor. Placing them on speaker stands only raises the risk of them falling over and makes them more visible. Imagine the striking scene of guests entering your entertainment room and large, bulky speakers are the first thing they see. Choosing smaller tower speakers may solve some of your space concerns, but you may compromise the sound quality you seek.
An office setting or smaller home space like a bedroom is an even worse area for floor speakers. Do you want to bump a knee or foot on your speakers every time you get out of bed or slide back from your desk? Stand-mounted tower speakers make a small space appear crowded and even top-heavy. They definitely do not create a professional appearance for an office space.
©Andreea Pirvu/Shutterstock.com
Tower Speakers Are Not Practical for Many Spaces
Sound experience design relies on the intended space as much as the type and quality of speakers you purchase. For regular listening, positioning is key. Are you considering large tower speakers for your living room or home entertainment space? Most experts recommend placing tower speakers at least six inches from the nearest walls to maximize the bass sound. How much room will be left between the speakers and your family or guests?
Sit too close to thumping speakers, and you lose the best sound or ruin your ears. Smaller spaces will not allow for the best positioning to cancel out the negative sound interactions of these giant speakers. Smaller rooms will maximize the reverberations of loud sound and seriously degrade listening quality.
You May Need More
If you choose a set of tower speakers for your living room or family room, you may still need additional components to get the best sound. A set of smaller mid-range speakers can add better sound quality for movies and games. Plus, to create a better quality surround sound experience, you will need additional mid-range speakers placed strategically throughout the room. Large tower speakers cannot create the ultimate surround sound in most environments without help.
In large spaces, a single set of tower speakers is likely not enough. You may need to place a speaker in each corner of the room or in other areas to create the best sound situation. Also, most large tower speaker sets need an additional power amplifier for the best performance. They need more power input to deliver the maximum performance levels.
Tower Speakers are Expensive
You can seriously wreck your home entertainment budget with tower speakers and still end up with a lower-quality sound experience. Anything less than $300 and you risk extremely poor construction, sound quality, and reliability. Some of the most recommended tower speakers can exceed $2,000. After you’ve already invested that much in a large OLED television and home theater lighting, you may be forced to eat sandwiches while the budget recovers.
Must-Know Facts About Tower Speakers
- Tower speakers alone do not produce the best sound quality for every space.
- You may need to purchase smaller mid-range speakers in addition to tower speakers for the best movie or television sound experience.
- Tower speakers are large and clunky and detract from a room’s overall aesthetic appeal.
- Placement is a key factor for getting the best sound from tower speakers; most rooms are not large enough to accommodate them.
- You may need additional sets of tower speakers or amplifiers to get maximum performance in a large space or entertainment venue.
- Quality tower speakers are quite expensive; plan to spend between $500 and $2,000 for a single set of two units.
Alternatives to Tower Speakers
What could be some better choices for your applications if you want to avoid the negatives of tower speakers? Here are some possible options.
Bookshelf Speakers
A quality set of bookshelf speakers can produce tower-speaker-level sound and fit unobtrusively into smaller spaces. They are designed for placement in tight spaces so there are no worries about reverb or distortions. Bookshelf speakers are an ideal choice for home audio or entertainment systems, and several can be easily placed around the entire space.
The Fluance Ai41 Powered 2-Way 2.0 Stereo Bookshelf Speakers are affordable, sealed speakers that connect with computers, TVs, and phones through Wi-Fi for convenience.
- 5-inch drivers
- 90-watt amplifier
- Compatible with TV, PC, Phone
- Subwoofer output
- RCA and optical inputs or connect via Bluetooth 5.0
Soundbars
Home theater aficionados highly recommend soundbars as very effective home theater options. They are known for a range of models for various applications and for producing immersive sound in most environments. A single unit will contain bass, tweeters, and mid-range speakers for an incredible combination of powerful sound that is perfect for movies, television, gaming, and other uses.
The JBL 9.1 Soundbar System can quickly elevate your audio experience with improved depth, clarity, and immersive sound.
- Power output: 820W
- DTS and Dolby Atmos (with X decoding) built-in
- Surround speakers (detachable and battery-powered) included
- A 300W, 10-inch powered subwoofer allows you to experience real, deep, bass
- Supports Dolby Vision with Ultra HD 4K pass-through
In-Ceiling Speakers
If you need a space-saving option that still produces admirable sound quality, in-ceiling speakers are a great option. They seamlessly blend into even the most restricted spaces and do not interfere with a room’s decor. Although they are minimalistic, the best in-ceiling speakers are far more than a multi-room intercom system. They are highly versatile, allowing you to create customized sound zones for different tastes and activities.
The Pyle PDIW87 In-Wall or In-Ceiling Speakers deliver a wide frequency range for the best sound from various types of media.
- 50Hz to 20kHz frequency range
- 400 watts of power
- 4-8 ohm impedance
- Flush mount installation
Surround Sound Systems
Home theater surround sound systems provide a complete sound experience for various types of entertainment. The complete system generally includes multiple satellite speakers, a single center channel speaker, subwoofers for deep bass sound, and all the necessary hardware for mounting and wiring. You can outfit an entire space with immersive surround sound for less than the price of a single set of tower speakers.
The Klipsch Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System is an excellent choice for dynamic and powerful sound from your favorite shows and movies.
- Frequency response for satellite and center channel speakers is 110Hz – 23kHz
- Frequency response for the subwoofer is 38Hz – 120Hz
- 2.4 GHz connectivity
- Digital subwoofer amp is 150W at peak power
- Center speaker is 300W peak, satellites are 200W peak
Reasons You May Still Want to Purchase Tower Speakers
There are applications and venues where tower speakers are a terrific option. As with any sound design, you must fit the available space, the need for sound, and the best products together. Tower speakers are ideal when you need expansive sound, deep bass tones, and a fully immersive experience in large spaces. They also work well combined with other types of speakers for a completely integrated and sound-filled area. Pair tower speakers with suitable amplifiers and subwoofers for the best possible sound experience in your venue.
- $211.96Buy on Amazon
- 5-inch drivers
- 90-watt amplifier
- Compatible with TV, PC, Phone
- Subwoofer output
- RCA and optical inputs or connect via Bluetooth 5.0
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11/25/2023 05:35 pm GMT - $599.95Buy Now on Amazon
- Power output: 820W
- DTS and Dolby Atmos (with X decoding) built-in
- Surround speakers (detachable and battery-powered) included
- A 300W, 10-inch powered subwoofer allows you to experience real, deep, bass
- Supports Dolby Vision with Ultra HD 4K pass-through
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/26/2023 09:56 am GMT - $96.89Buy on Amazon
- 50Hz to 20kHz frequency range
- 400 watts of power
- 4-8 ohm impedance
- Flush mount installation
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 03:21 am GMT - $548.88Buy on Amazon
- Frequency response for satellite and center channel speakers is 110Hz – 23kHz
- Frequency response for the subwoofer is 38Hz – 120Hz
- 2.4 GHz connectivity
- Digital subwoofer amp is 150W at peak power
- Center speaker is 300W peak, satellites are 200W peak
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/26/2023 05:17 pm GMT
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maciej Czekajewski/Shutterstock.com.
