Floorstanding Speaker Recommendation $3500

Don_S · « **on:** 26 Dec 2025, 07:21 pm »

My sister needs new speakers. I am not familiar with speakers in her price range and I don't do boxes so I am asking for suggestions for further research by me. I know there are too many for me to consider all so I am asking for restraint in your suggestions. Amplification is an NAD integrated. Kind of long in the tooth so it may get replaced in a couple of years. Nearest dealers are two hours away so that sucks.

Please don't list everything you can think of. Guidelines for suggestions:
1. Floorstanding box
2. Max $3500/pair
3. Major brand easily obtained in the USA.
4. Good reviews and reputation for performance or personal experience
5. New

Thank you for any help.

Edit: 5th guideline and emphasis added.

NIGHTFALL1970 · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 07:29 pm »

I recommend these:

https://gr-research.com/product/lgk2-4-finished-towers-pair/

https://youtu.be/QG-EG-AhRV8?si=N4-tC7lDFydHePnA

https://youtu.be/DjS5JtoykHg?si=SJ1QSJYZnxHgXm6k

JCarney · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 07:32 pm »

Salk Sound Song 3-A on Audiogon for $3000. I own BePure 2's.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbgej2-salk-sound-song3-a-full-range?refsource=hifishark

JCarney

Early B. · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 08:02 pm »

Your sister will likely be more concerned about how they look than how they sound. If she isn't an audiophile, then the speaker's brand isn't important. Show her this page and let her choose what she wants: https://www.crutchfield.com/g_12000/Floor-standing-Speakers.html?&pg=2&fa=1#&price=1000-1750

Don_S · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 08:24 pm »

Quote from: Early B. on 26 Dec 2025, 08:02 pm

Your sister will likely be more concerned about how they look than how they sound. If she isn't an audiophile, then the speaker's brand isn't important. Show her this page and let her choose what she wants: https://www.crutchfield.com/g_12000/Floor-standing-Speakers.html?&pg=2&fa=1#&price=1000-1750

You are correct about aesthetics.

toocool4 · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 08:38 pm »

Depends on how picky she is with regard to sound quality, I would recommend going for a good stand mount I don’t think you can really get an outstanding floor stander for that price unless you are going for second-hand.

WGH · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Dec 2025, 09:18 pm »

She may want a floor standing speaker but the stand mounted Fritz Carbon 7 SE MK2 will sound better than most, if not all $3500 speakers and they are only $2950. Give Fritz a call for unadvertised deals and a demo delivered to your door. The Carbon 7 has excellent bass without becoming boomy, the speaker works beautifully with low powered amps and receivers and never gets skreechy like many budget speakers which lean toward more boom and sizzle instead of musical.

The guys in our Tucson Audio club loved them when I sponsored a tour. I picked up a demo pair when I was on a road trip through San Francisco. I.Greyhound Fan thinks they are great too.
There are plenty of reviews here on AC and around the internet, here is one:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=170117.0

Fritz Speaker web site:
https://www.fritzspeakers.com/sound.asp

Here are the Carbon 7 SE MK2 speakers next to my Salk HT2-TL speakers for a listening comparison. The Fritz speakers image just as well as the Salk speakers throwing a wide detailed soundstage, close your eyes and they disappear, something that can't be said for cheap floorstanders.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 01:24 pm »

Hey guys, a request from your favorite Moderator. I've been informed by someone very close to this thread that no one here is adhering to the OP. Let me highlight the requested recommendations the have been missed. New. Floorstanding. Easily available. He also notes there are few B&M dealers nearby. To me that means catalogue sales. Crutchfield is what comes to mind. They have the Revel PerformaBe series, B&W 703 and 704, and the Focal Aria line, all with free shipping.

So your mission should you decide to accept it is to find your favorite catalogue supplier who carries your favorite floorstanding speaker under $3.5k. And yes, if you fail in this mission or choose not to accept it this thread will self destruct in 30 seconds, or maybe longer. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Samac · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 02:18 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 27 Dec 2025, 01:24 pm

Hey guys, a request from your favorite Moderator. I've been informed by someone very close to this thread that no one here is adhering to the OP. Let me highlight the requested recommendations the have been missed. New. Floorstanding. Easily available. He also notes there are few B&M dealers nearby. To me that means catalogue sales. Crutchfield is what comes to mind. They have the Revel PerformaBe series, B&W 703 and 704, and the Focal Aria line, all with free shipping.

So your mission should you decide to accept it is to find your favorite catalogue supplier who carries your favorite floorstanding speaker under $3.5k. And yes, if you fail in this mission or choose not to accept it this thread will self destruct in 30 seconds, or maybe longer. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Well said and excellent options recommended too.

Cheers,

Scott

ric · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 02:18 pm »

I don't know, a lot depends on her overall preferences, as you said, visual aesthetics would be important to her. What type of music does she listen to? How important is sound quality? What size room are they going into? Will it be a one listener type of situation or listening casually while doing stuff around the house? Is she an audiophile wannabe? Animals, kids?
Just buying a set price speaker without other factors doesn't make sense to me.
Hope this helps,

Phil_S · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 02:29 pm »

I would recommend something from Ohm Acoustics. https://ohmspeaker.com/. They have at least 5 models that fit your specs. They come with a 120 day money back guarantee. See Steve Guttenberg's you tube channel for reviews, the Audiophilac.

These are Omnidirectional and are designed to be placed close to walls. I power mine with a 60W/ch amp.

Good luck on your hunt

jonbee · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 03:34 pm »

Revel f35 or 36 for a bit less $. Has everything on your list, plus elegant looks and great, comfortable sound.

brewthunda · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 05:04 pm »

Quote from: Phil_S on 27 Dec 2025, 02:29 pm

I would recommend something from Ohm Acoustics. https://ohmspeaker.com/. They have at least 5 models that fit your specs. They come with a 120 day money back guarantee. See Steve Guttenberg's you tube channel for reviews, the Audiophilac.

These are Omnidirectional and are designed to be placed close to walls. I power mine with a 60W/ch amp.

Good luck on your hunt

They're also recognizable from the TV show Bosch, so will likely be one of the few decent speakers recognizable to OP's sister's friends.

Doublej · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 05:36 pm »

How about a half-box recommendation, though there are a couple of caveats with the Martin Logan ESL. They only come in satin black or high gloss black and each one needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/martin-logan-electromotion-esl-x

For traditional floorstanders I would look at the Dali Oberon 5 and Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 or 12.4 series.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/dali-oberon-5

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/wharfedale-diamond-123

All three tend towards being warm, are are highly regarded, easy to drive and readily available in the US. Crutchfield carries all three brands. Amazon Dali and Wharfedale.

The Dali and Wharfedale have modern color choices.

And as an oldster, I appreciate the fact that none are super heavy.

Tyson · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 06:49 pm »

Quote from: NIGHTFALL1970 on 26 Dec 2025, 07:29 pm

I recommend these:

https://gr-research.com/product/lgk2-4-finished-towers-pair/

https://youtu.be/QG-EG-AhRV8?si=N4-tC7lDFydHePnA

https://youtu.be/DjS5JtoykHg?si=SJ1QSJYZnxHgXm6k

I second this recommendation. I have the book shelf version of this speaker and the sound is just magical.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 08:10 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 27 Dec 2025, 06:49 pm

I second this recommendation. I have the book shelf version of this speaker and the sound is just magical.

Which catalog carries GR Research speakers?

Tyson · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 09:33 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 27 Dec 2025, 08:10 pm

Which catalog carries GR Research speakers?

You buy it direct from GR Research - https://gr-research.com/product/lgk2-4-finished-towers-pair/

NIGHTFALL1970 · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Dec 2025, 11:13 pm »

Thank you Tyson for the help.

When the OP listed 3. Major brand, does that exclude GR Research?🧐
For the $ I don’t know if you can do better.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #18 on:** **Yesterday** at 01:12 am »

Take a look at Wharfedale's, The EVO and Aura series. Dali's. I like the Wharfe's and Dali's for their warmer sound, especially with budget gear which can be bright sounding. Monitor Audio Silvers, Sonus Faber, KEF R5's.

I agree with WGH. The Fritz bookshelfs would sound better than any of these speakers and you can get them in custom wood finishes. I wrote a review on them.
Fabulous speaker. $2800pr. Hand built in California by Fritz himself.

Tyson · « **Reply #19 on:** **Yesterday** at 01:15 am »

Quote from: NIGHTFALL1970 on 27 Dec 2025, 11:13 pm

Thank you Tyson for the help.

When the OP listed 3. Major brand, does that exclude GR Research?🧐
For the $ I don’t know if you can do better.

And if aesthetics are imortant, then the abilty to match veneer to existing furniture is a bonus: