Group test: Floorstanding speakers £400-£1,000

Overview Price: £749 More info: Focal JMlab Size: 950(h) x 222(w) x 340(d) mm Weight: 20.5kg Drivers: 1x 165mm bass, 1 x 165mm midrange, 25mm inverted dome tweeter Frequency response: 50Hz - 28kHz Impedance: 8 Ohms Power handling: 200 Wattstts Sensitivity: 91.5dB/Watt Focal JMlab Chorus V 716V A little taller and slightly bulkier than the B&W CM7, the third generation French-made Chorus range screams value for money, comparable in intent to the B&W CM series, which uses as much technology as possible from the upper echelon Utopia range. The letter V is something of a leitmotiv, which is echoed in various ways, notably in the cutout at the top of the detachable grill, which helps reduce acoustic intrusion on the tweeter output. The sloping inwards side panels helps suppress internal resonances, and the front and downwards firing reflex ports reduce susceptibility to near wall placement. Musically, the Focal and the B&Ws have a surprising amount in common, but ultimately, the Focal lacks the B&W's midrange/treble sharpness and precision in favour of a more colourful and rich tonality, and at times a greater sense of image depth. The B&W is the precision tool here, but the Focal is good enough to serve as a viable alternative. As promised however, the Focal 716V is more tolerant of different positioning, and certainly a little easier on the ear, and it is happier with the covers on than its British counterpart. Meanwhile, the sense of image depth and space that embellishes the raw notes is impressive and thrilling.

Verdict Plus points Sonorous, tonally rich and varied, full bass Minus points Well sorted system, difficult to criticise in context, but lacks the ultimate resolving power of the B&W CM7

Overview Price: £900 More info: KEF Size: 942(h) x 220(w) x 327(d) mm Weight: 16.6kg Drivers: 2 x 165mm bass units, Uni-Q midrange driver & 19mm tweeter Frequency response: 38Hz - 40kHz Impedance: 8 Ohms (min 3.2 Ohms) Power handling: 200 Watts Sensitivity: 91dB/Watt KEF iQ9 This model is fundamentally different to the others. The flattened teardrop cross section is indicative of the efforts that have gone into resonance control. The most distinctive feature however is the Uni-Q drive unit, which combines tweeter and midrange units into an integrated whole, to produce a speaker which radiates sound from a single point in space over the important upper frequencies. The iQ range uses a new and much revised version of KEF's now familiar Uni-Q technology with new cone materials. magnet systems, basket design, and detail changes elsewhere to in an attempt to reduce coloration and other unwanted artefacts. The iQ range is a significant advance of early Uni-Q speakers, but it remains significantly coloured, with a shelved up upper midband that means the speaker is a little too energetic and 'hard' in this region, and which helps suppress presence in the bass region, which is well extended, but can sound lightweight. That said, the bass and lower midrange do have smooth, open quality. The mid/treble region is also a little hard and coloured, probably a side effect of the tweeter mounting in the middle of the large midrange cone, but at least the voicing remains consistent when walking around the room, and the bass is free of boom and overhang.

Verdict Plus points Very consistent soundfield imaging, detail, well disciplined bass Minus points Some colourations and harshness, especially in mid and treble

Overview Price: £400 More info: Monitor Audio Size: 850(h) x 165(w) x 247(d) mm Weight: 11.5kg Drivers: 1 x 130mm bass, 1 x 130mm bass/mid, 25mm gold anodised tweeter Frequency response: 36Hz - 30kHz Impedance: 6 Ohms br> Power handling: 120 Watts Sensitivity: 90dB/Watt Monitor Audio BR5 The secret of the new Monitor Audio entry level BR range is that it's designed over here (UK), and built over there (China) to help bear down on costs - just like the KEF iQ9. The BR5 is the smallest model here, but it's also by far the least expensive. It has had a thorough makeover, with a new higher performance ceramic coated aluminium/magnesium dome tweeter, redesigned mid and bass units with a less enclosed construction behind the cones, a better specified crossover, and an improved enclosure featuring outrigger feet for better stability, improved bracing and separate bass and mid chambers internally. The BR 5 is a thoroughly distinctive loudspeaker and a clear improvement on its predecessor. The treble immediately stands out with its much firmer, cleaner and more controlled presentation than the old models, but the midrange is if anything even more impressive, being lively and sharp, and very open and three dimensional. The bass doesn't have the extension of the bigger models, but it still goes deep, with a fuller upper bass than the others, and the kind of presentation that is often described with the single word 'slam'. It's not the most neutral bass around, but it doesn't boom, and it is surprisingly tuneful.

Verdict Plus points Lively, open and transparent, energetic voicing Minus points Lacks some sophistication and bass evenness when stressed hard

Final verdict The most evenly competent all-rounder here is the B&W CM7, but the Focal JMlab runs it close at a useful saving, and the Monitor Audio is an excellent performer for a fraction the price of either of these alternatives - very impressive value. The KEF has some distinctive strengths too, but it remains an oddball, and difficult to sum up. The recent technology improvements leave it sounding a little too lean and exposed in the upper midband/treble, where the other three models tend to wear their compromises more easily. For most music types and systems, we rank the B&W top, followed by the Focal JMlab, and then the Monitor Audio. The KEF is recommended too, but it has more “personality”, though it's well worth a dem to see if you like it.

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