Floor standing speakers: features and varieties

If literally 40 years ago one could only dream of so-called surround sound, now it is a reality. Such systems can be bought at the nearest hardware store or ordered at home with one click on the mouse. Floor-standing speakers occupy a special place among such devices. They give a unique sound that fills the room like faint smoke. All about floor standing speakers, as well as how to choose them, will tell this article.

It's obvious that the main features of floorstanding speakers are their installation location and dimensions. These speakers are large compared to conventional models in size. The height of the speakers is especially noticeable. If such equipment is installed at home, then only in large or spacious rooms. In small rooms, floor-standing speakers can distort sound and give only bass.

Such a musical setup can be equipped with 1 to 7 speakers. It is also worth noting the price, which is an order of magnitude higher for floor-standing speakers than, for example, for shelf models.

Quite often, a floor-standing speaker system is purchased for listening to heavy music.... The peculiarity of the speakers of such systems - the presence of a special dustproof cap, which, in addition to protecting against pollution, makes the sound clearer and cleaner.

In general, these audio systems are often purchased specifically for the home. They are used not only for listening to various music, but also for watching movies, holding karaoke evenings and even for working in a small home recording studio.

The most important characteristic that distinguishes the types of floorstanding speakers from each other is the type of speaker system. Usually, only a professional can notice differences in the sound of different types. However, it will be useful to understand for yourself some of the characteristic features of each of the types below.

1. Closed models. Such speakers practically do not distort the sound, which makes it possible to reproduce music quite accurately. Among the shortcomings - poor bass sound, lack of high volume.
2. Open models. They also do not reproduce bass well, but they are able to recreate the so-called directional sound.
3. Bass reflex. On the contrary, it has good bass sound, high sensitivity, but has a low level of sound detail.
4. Passive emitter. Reproduces bass very well. The sound is deeper and more detailed than the bass reflex.
5. Bandpass body. It has good sensitivity and is capable of reaching high volume levels.

Also, all such devices can be divided according to the number of bands (speakers) available. However, most often the characteristic feature of floor acoustics is the presence of exactly three speakers. The three-way system reproduces bass, mids and highs separately from each speaker.

Each manufacturer has its own exclusive designs and colors for such installations. However, most modern models are narrow and have a dark body. They are the most popular. Children and adolescents prefer models with light music. Speakers with a USB flash drive connector are also a convenient option.They are capable of playing music directly from the drive itself.

Fans of active evenings with friends or family can purchase acoustics with karaoke.

Below is an overview and brief description of the top 10 best models from the past few years.

A budget product from a Japanese brand with good sound, intended for small spaces and home use. The device has a soft sound, high power, wide frequency range, laconic design and attractive price.

This speaker system is a bass reflex, which is equipped with 2.5 bands for sound reproduction. Has a small weight and dimensions, has a good sound at high volume, however, it may turn on for a long time.

This model gained its popularity as an additional set for a home theater. The installation has three-way sound and is designed to reproduce various types of music.

It is a passive acoustic Hi-Fi system. This model is distinguished by exclusive branded speakers, stylish design in black, solid base.

It is a 2.5-way speaker system. It reproduces both low frequencies and high frequencies equally well. However, this model must be used in conjunction with amplifiers.

Other interesting models that have received good reviews include:

• white columns Canton GLE 496 with its compatibility with any device;

• Focal Aria 926 with its perfect sound setting;

• Yamaha NS-777, which is considered the best in its price category;

• Heco Victa Prime 702that combines a budget price and good sound;

• Boston Acoustics CS 260 II with its laconic design.

Among the huge number of modern floor-standing speaker systems, several important criteria will help to make a choice - further use, financial capabilities, personal wishes. The latter mainly concerns the design of the sound system.

It is not recommended to buy acoustics with high power in a small room. In this case, the sound will not have a very good reproduction quality. As for the home theater, this is exactly the case when the power and large dimensions of equipment will find their application.

Experts recommend purchasing systems with a wooden case, not a plastic one. The latter may slightly degrade the sound quality.

It is worth taking a closer look at the choice of equipment for children's parties. It should be more durable and more powerful than a home system, and it should be lightweight for easy portability.

The area of ​​the room in which the speaker will be installed must be more than 18 square meters... Only in such conditions will the sound of the speaker system be full. It is not recommended to place the speakers in the corner of the room. Walls on both sides are capable of "absorbing" some of the sound.

Quite often, floor-standing acoustics are purchased as an add-on to a home theater system. In this case, it is better to place the speakers on special stands.

An important part of such a system is the amplifier. Its main task is to improve the sound quality at high volume. The main parameter of the amplifier is the power - the higher it is, the better the device reproduces music.

The use of such systems is usually simple and convenient.Control and display, if any, are simplified as much as possible and are labeled in English everywhere.

You can watch a video review of the available multifunctional floor-standing speakers F&D T-60X below.