Floor standers inherently don't cost a lot more - but to do them well does. The reason is resonances - to make a standmount or bookshelf non resonant (at least reasonably so anyway - to really attack it is very costly) is not too hard but a floor stander is a lot more costly. Then you have higher transport and delivery costs.
That said there are many excellent floorstanders at or below $5k. In fact I would suggest looking at some speakers a bit under that such as some of the Salk Audio models:
http://www.salksound.com/about%20us.htm
Martin Logan:
http://www.martinlogan.com/electromotion/em-esl.php
Magnepan:
http://www.magnepan.com/index
Go out and have a listen. You should be able to find dealers for Martin Logan and Magnepan and some posts on Salks forum at Audiocircles should dig up some people in your area with Salk speakers to listen to.
Its not a race - take your time and listen to gear to get just what you want.
Thanks
Bill
That said there are many excellent floorstanders at or below $5k. In fact I would suggest looking at some speakers a bit under that such as some of the Salk Audio models:
http://www.salksound.com/about%20us.htm
Martin Logan:
http://www.martinlogan.com/electromotion/em-esl.php
Magnepan:
http://www.magnepan.com/index
Go out and have a listen. You should be able to find dealers for Martin Logan and Magnepan and some posts on Salks forum at Audiocircles should dig up some people in your area with Salk speakers to listen to.
Its not a race - take your time and listen to gear to get just what you want.
Thanks
Bill