Floorstanding loudspeakers
Floorstanders often don’t take up any more space than standmount speakers on their stands, yet the extra cabinet volume and drivers can deliver more energy to the room, and more depth. At the higher prices you’re not only getting state-of-the-art sound and technology, but also objects of true beauty, often bringing artisan craftsmanship to your home.
Q ACOUSTICS 3050i
W2019 / $1599 / www.busisoft.com.au
The value here is remarkable given the quality of styling and finish plus a sound with detail and tone that allows a close intimacy when required, but also full, weighty and driving when given power.
Q ACOUSTICS CONCEPT 500
W2018 / $7999 / www.busisoft.com.au
A third entry by Q Acoustics in these pages confirms their ability to deliver value at multiple levels, especially at their favourable pricing here in Australia. Glorious premium performance.
DYNAUDIO CONTOUR 60
W2018 / $13,999 / www.busisoft.com.au
A full redesign of the longrunning Contour range delivered this truly great speaker, with perfect balance across the full frequency range — divine Esotar2 treble and deep bass flawlessly delivered.
REVEL PERFORMA F228BE
W2020 / $21,495 / www.convoy.com.au
Revel has been on a roll with back-to-back floorstander awards in 2019 and 2020, here for the berylliumtweetered F228Be, a work of art in both design and neutral, extended performance.
DYNAUDIO EVOKE 50
W2020 / $7499 / www.busisoft.com.au
A fine Dynaudio model which hits the modern slimline aesthetic yet they sound way bigger, with these true three-ways bringing extended and effortless bass, superb midrange and transparent highs.
REVEL PERFORMA3 F208
W2019 / $9995 / www.convoy.com.au
These Revels are gorgeous speakers to look at, but its their sound that won our award — energy without aggression, so accurate, so musical, so naturalsounding that we were captivated.
GOLDENEAR TRITON REFERENCE
W2019 / $18,500 / nationalavsolutions.com.au
Hand-rubbed piano-gloss towers that include 1800W of amplification to drive the bass drivers, while the mid/treble is conventionally powered. The results are magnificent.
SONUS FABER HOMAGE TRADITION SERAFINO
HC2018 / $31,995 / www.synergyaudio.com
Dripping with the best of Sonus faber’s Italian artisan styling flair and gorgeousness, the Serafinos throw a large stage and are capable of solid attack but also detailed microdynamic nuance.
GOLDENEAR TRITON TWO+
W2018 / $7595 / nationalavsolutions.com.au
GoldenEar’s slim towers are here covered by black cloth concealing a sevenstrong driver count including foldedribbon tweeters and two side-firing passive radiators. Effortless sound high and low.
BOENICKE W8
HC2018 / $10,800 / www.audiomagic.com.au
Not for everyone, perhaps, but Highly Commended for unusual design and bewitching performance, bright and bouncy yet uncannily realistic, and a special strength for female vocals.
FOCAL KANTA NO.3
HC2020 / $20,500 / www.busisoft.com.au
The French folk at Focal deliver some amazing designs, available here with coloured or wood veneer baffles, and we loved the sound from the beryllium inverted dome tweeters and flax sandwich drivers.
BOWERS & WILKINS 800 D3
W2018 / $41,900 / bowerswilkins.com/en-au
A reference among references — you really shouldn’t buy at this price without at least auditioning the 800 D3, with its diamond tweeter dome and studiosanctioned sound.