It's a tough market out there. As soon as we think we've found a product that will be sitting pretty in a given area for the foreseeable future, along comes a new challenger keen to oust it from its place. Our list of the best floorstanding speakers is often in flux, as brands are constantly vying to have their finest contenders reaching the highest heights and earning a coveted spot on our esteemed rundown. It's a fertile market, too – just think of the myriad brands worthy of consideration: Bowers & Wilkins, KEF, PMC, Acoustic Energy, ATC, Focal, Wharfedale, Quad, Mission, Wilson Benesch, Spendor...we could be here for a while.
The point is, there's plenty of competition to be found, meaning that standards are high and, crucially, it's a big deal when a new pair manages to muscle its way into the pantheon. To do so, you've got to be built well and have the compatibility and flexibility to accommodate a suitable array of partnering equipment, but most importantly, you've got to be able to walk the sonic walk. Thankfully, that's not a problem for our outstanding newbies...
