Fluance Ai81 Powered Speaker Review

[@cheapaudioman]

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[@rosssmith8481]

Why is it, I am getting a notification for this video now? It came out 6 days ago?

[@dougbradnam4380]

I'm literally sitting in the Burger King right next door to Fluance, here in Niagara Falls. Love the pod casts, keep up the great work.

[@yellowharley1]

I live in Niagara Falls, where is this located ? Thank you in advance.

[@qwkimball]

I said that to my Klipsch Heresy speakers just the other day, "We've been together for 39 years and it's like I don't know you at all." As usual, they just ignored me.

[@cheapaudioman]

Lol. You actually made me chuckle at the store

[@emersonsmith4862]

I just got a pair of like new Heresy III through trade with my newer klipsch towers and sub. I’ve sold almost all my others speakers except for the spl100. Had enough klipsch speakers to do two full 7.1 set ups.

[@IndieAlternative27]

This is the best comment I’ve seen in a long time

[@rosssmith8481]

Back when vintage audio was considered junk, I was offered a pair of those speakers for $400. I turned it down, because I didn't have the room.

[@Slappyhappychappy]

I use these with a blusound node (which eliminates any of the bogus EQ in the standard onboard dac) and they sound amazing. The fluance Q&A verifies that using an external dac with RCA in bypasses the onboard dac I like the ability though to use Bluetooth to easily connect with my tv if I so choose

[@danstein2467]

Randy, another great review. Your viewers have come to rely on you on candid, honest opinions. I really appreciate that you are finding that it has a good use for some casual listeners. Those people should be comfortable that it will work for them.

[@JohnScheppler]

Great honest review Randy. I could see these as a great option for a person that wants a little more than just a soundbar for thier home entertainment system.

[@mircea5013]

I think the "little more than a soundbar" is an understatement. And I think saying that they're for "your mom or your dad" is an understatement. Not everyone has amplifiers, receivers and tens of speakers around. People want to listen to music.

[@romanv8168]

Yes! Before I bought my speakers and amp I seriously considered powered speakers (Edifier Airpulse series and some others). Soon I'll have to find a pair for my kid. So, please, more reviews and thank you.

[@jim010109]

The way its going, powered speakers are going to gain a lot of ground in the future. Most people (not all) like simple, and they like less black boxes. The U Turns you reviewed yesterday were nice speakers. UT not having a remote definitely hurt them. Great review, keep up the good work.

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks, Jim

[@Stan_the_Belgian]

It's basically a bigger bluetooth speaker. I agree it's probably the future as we only need bluetooth or wifi and stream from our cellphones. No need to connect cd players, tuners, ... like in the old days. Me I like separate amps because I'm a nerd and like to change amps or speakers, most people don't care

[@jim010109]

@@Stan_the_Belgian OH, I agree, I love my separates, but if my wife had her choice it would be less is better, lol.

[@rosssmith8481]

@@Stan_the_Belgian I took all my CDs and put them on a hard drive, that can also stream Spotify. When I compare the two with the same song, CDs still sound better. And I have my Spotify tuned to the highest resolution they have?

[@ginom407]

I'm sure these would make someone very happy!

[@danashay]

Boom! Where else you gonna get this?! Great job Randy, you really are the man! Please carry on!

[@bentonpix]

Check out the active speakers from PSI audio. Not remotely cheap, but for what they can do, I consider them very high value. Their speakers are primarily aimed at mixing and mastering studios.

[@billymercey4654]

I think when you put a subwoofer into them the crossover really helps the performance of the speakers they're a lot different alone than they are plugged into subwoofers

[@GOLFADDICT65]

hi big QUESTION : worth the dollars to use for TV SPEAKERS for Movies / Sports / Every day TV and Music ? thx ...cheers from Canada

[@NosEL34]

About 2 years ago I started getting back into better hifi equipment again after doing the whole sound bars for awhile. (Kids were young, now they are older) I was looking for new speakers to pair with my older amps, one gentleman with hi end background said to me, You need to start looking into powered speakers or monitors..they are better than you remember and the active crossovers can't be beat. I ignored him but recently I'm starting to believe he was onto something lol. Ive been having amp issues recently and have been looking more into Active speakers and monitors. Some of them have remarkable prices

[@jhiss100]

I'll stick with my Klipsch The Fives. Great review!

[@Slappyhappychappy]

I have the fives they are wonderful and the Ai81 I don’t think you can go wrong with either., the fives win in a smaller room though for sure

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Honest and good in-depth review. Thanks as always for your efforts and time.

[@318ishonk]

Lots of speaker for the money. Connect a Wiim Mini and even out the V-curve a bit (with the EQ) and Bob's your uncle!

[@jasonc331]

Think the Wiim might be a perfect match with it's EQ ? Knocking out these reviews Brother!

[@ASillyLlama]

I have the Ai41s. They are my first taste of getting into hifi and I was confused on all the different boxes of separates at first. I think they sound great and significantly better than my soundbar. I also listen to very bass heavy music. Hip Hop / Rap. I have them hooked up to a 10’ sub and the speaker send 80hz and below. Like you mentioned, it is ideal for an entertainment speaker as my soundbar replacement, Bluetooth, hooked up a cheaper turntable, and a CD player. All for less than $500. Now I want the separates cause I have gone down the rabbit hole haha

[@shawnorjiakor]

If you want to get the Ai41 to another level, buy a streamer w/ a built-in DAC and connect it via optical.

[@jonathonfee2542]

@@shawnorjiakor Why would you need a built in DAC if you're connecting it with an optical cable? The DAC is a digital to analog converter. The optical cable carries a digital signal. I agree that most DACs will probably be superior to the built in DAC in a $500 pair of powered speakers, but if you connect it via optical, you are bypassing the DAC on the streamer and using the DAC built into the speakers.

[@shawnorjiakor]

@@jonathonfee2542 No... When you connect a streamer to a powered speaker, you're basically bypassing the built-in DAC and DSP (to a fair degree) and using the DAC from the streamer as your main source. That doesn't work if you're connecting it with a TV.

[@chrisAclaes]

I got a pair of their smaller powered bookshelves for the bedroom, for a little 2-channel tv setup. I've been using it for years and absolutely love the sound. There is a noticeable hiss, however, when you turn it up and it isn't getting signal.

[@carll2222]

I've used the old Fluance AI40's (sealed units) in my workout space (one side of a 2 car garage) for 4 years connected by BT (aptX) to a phone or tablet. Put them up high on a shelf angled down about 6-7 ft apart and get a beautiful reflection off the 9-10ft ceiling. I think they might be more balanced with less bass and treble than this current ported generation. Never play them louder then 20/29 volume clicks to get 80dB at about 10ft but plenty of boom boom at this level for workout go go. 18 months ago, in mid COVID and wanting to change things up but unable to decide on (or obtain easily) other powered monitors from Adam, Emotiva, JBL, or Kali, I made a small change. I added an iFi Zen Blue BT receiver to get LDAC BT connectivity and it notably changed the audio signature - more of but more tight on the bass and smoother high ends but at the expense of a noise floor via the RCA inputs (not sure if it is a Fluance or iFi issue). There is a distinct wirble noise that is now audible at 24/29 volume with no music playing. In the garage, for wireless and remote control convenience and with all the other machine noise making it a less than audiophile experience, these work great. If I had to do it today, I'd get the Topping DX3 Pro+ DAC headphone amp (for the LDAC BT and remote control) and buy one of the Adam, Emotiva, JBL, or Kali powered systems. Might yet do that just to get something different during the workouts. .

[@sullytool]

I have the a61 powered 6-1/2s and i use them for my computer in my bedroom, And they are fantastic!!!

[@patrickgeorge141]

My Uncle suggested for me to run powered speakers since I would not have to have speker wires. I said you need an outlet or to wire one for them to work lol. Honest review, yet I believe these are for those that do not care or know.

[@34332]

Now that the WiiM got EQ, that may help too, lol.

[@luclafleche2348]

More Made in Canada, please! Review some Totem Acoustics.

[@Brian_Romska]

Hi randy, great vid as usual and I'm always happy to see your scruffy a$$ get sponsored by anyone, congrats on your continued success!

[@nathanaelcole8466]

I had the Ai61 and sent them back. Reason being was when hooked up to a record player it had issues. It would detect a certain frequency and then power cut to protect the speakers. Problem was, it was typically a time or two per side of LP. Far too much and too aggressive. Went to a separate amp and passive bookshelves.

[@AllboroLCD]

I say given the price point, a lil DSP wouldnt be so inappropriate on these bad boyz! They certainly deserve another try after some correction is applied. Big E for effort on the side of Fluance though! Love to see more brands apply the same concept with say a bit more care in testing. A properly self powered pair of Klipsch RF-7 III's would be awesome in my book ; )

[@CJNooberson]

Agreed, I see DSP and think, "but I like my DAC and Phono stage." Guess I'll wait. I don't want my analog converted back to digital."

[@AllboroLCD]

@@CJNooberson if each driver in the cabinet were separately amplified, there'd be quite a margin of improvement

[@scottieray]

I have two UE Hyperboom powered speakers. While NOT elite audiophile quality sound...pair in stereo they provide a good-ish listening experience. Sometimes audio is fast food and that's all you need.

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

Kanto speakers (2 way desktop, stand mounted) are powered, have bluetooth and a phono RCA for a turntable. There are a few stand mount powered speakers at and below this price but not three way. I prefer active speakers with both speakers powered and have an active cross over. Speakers like the Adam monitor T5V are hard to beat for sub-$200 each.

[@happypuppy8221]

Can you recommend speaker like this but that is better mid range? Thank you.

[@AntoG4RS]

For that money.. I would by Edifier amplified bookshelf monitors.. and if you have some more to spend, I would give a look at Audio Pro A36 which sounds very good

[@valkyrieorion7200]

Tried some actives from acoustic energy. Sound was fantastic. However the amps in them developed an issue with it oscillating or something and you could hear it. Now my speaker and amp are an issue. I’m sure it’s rare but I’d made me go back to separates. Also your now running potentially mains to each speaker so somewhat at the mercy of power cord length and outlet placement.

[@healthynutster]

Yes, reliability is the elephant in the room with powered speakers. If they never achieve mainstream adoption, that could well be the reason

[@JukeboxAlley]

Are speakers as we know it dead? Well, I just asked my very old klh model 23s your question and they said, were old... but not dead yet, I couldn't argue with em, it wouldn't have done any good. They still keep up with all the young fancy lads, my money says they even put a whoopin on those fluance without breakin a sweat! Good video cam, keep it rollin.

[@RennieAsh]

I have some old Morels that still provide an exciting experience. It's not as clean as a modern speaker but stuff just sounds good on them at least at the volumes I listen to them at. That being said over time I'll probably stay with my more "up to date" speakers

[@stevenshelp1107]

I think people like yourself and other guys using modern platforms like KZbin bring more people up to speed in this industry. It's what is going to save it I honestly think. But... as others have said. People enjoy simplisity.. unfortunately that really hurts this hobby because it is extremely complicated from the outside.

[@NightFlight1973]

The eclectic nature of a process is what defines it as a hobby. The fact that you have to put time into it is what makes it a hobby. Oversimplification destroys rabbit holes and rabbit holes are fun! I would go so far as to say without them, life wouldn't be worth living.

[@TheChrisleekay]

Nice to see more towers on the channel! When I got into this hobby a few years ago I'm sure I read a few different sources saying having on-board amplification in a speaker was not ideal. Because of noise in the cabin and some other reasons which I can't remember now! I mentioned this in a forum a few months ago and its was like I'd turned up at a Klan rally in a Boy George costume!! Have I imagined this or is on board amplification not normally recommended!!???

[@KingOath]

Rubbish. Most forum naysayers are just regurgitating the same hear-say in an endless circle of misinformation. Some of the best speakers in the world use on board amplification in various configurations. As always it’s an issue of execution, not of concept. When things are engineered to work well, surprise, they do. And when they’re thrown cheaply together, they don’t lol

[@NightFlight1973]

@@KingOath The issue about powering a speaker internally is that it flies in the face of the idea that an amplifier can be special. If you find one that is, wouldn't you rather keep it so you can try it on different speakers? The powered speaker suggests that all amplifiers are the same and are now simply a service. Powered speakers negate this discovery process because all you see is a speaker.

[@shawnorjiakor]

Great review, Randy. But, I respectfully disagree with your assessment. Powered / Active speakers are more than just a "Bluetooth speaker", "party speaker" or a "_____ replacement". They're still Hi-fi products. I'm aware that some audiophiles despise or not jumping in the trail of active speakers because it's not traditional and the usage of DSP. But, it's not that difficult to avoid these cons. Their main purpose is using a music streamer w/ a built-in DAC or a DAC combo to bypass the speaker's own DAC and DSP (to a fair degree) to create synergy and shine in music even at critical listening. And the Fluance Ai81s are no exception. It's no different than passive HiFi except less boxes and at an affordable cost. Obviously, the built-in DAC and initial sound from Fluance aren't going to impress a traditional audiophile (depending on the individual and taste). That is for casual listeners. However when applied with what I said earlier (and even an optical purifier), they show their true colors quite well. Active HiFi is going to be the future regardless of some people's outlook.

[@WhiteBubblySoup]

A sub might help these. Engaging the low pass could help with the voicing and open up the mids.

[@wilkinru]

I bought some powered klipsch floorstanding for $300 NEW SHIPPED. Has a sub out. Glad it does because it had no bass, but in the end its perfect with a sub for the bedroom. Even has bluetooth. Hard to beat that sort of 2.1 setup for $450ish.

[@josephsaucedo8691]

They made them that way because they no bass kills amplifier. that why all powered subs have amp problems. a passive sub with external amp last 10x longer fyi👍✌️👌

[@scottyo64]

@@josephsaucedo8691 I have had one powered sub since 2001 (used daily with my TV) and 2 others since 2012 with zero problems. Never had a problem with a sub amp in any of my 7 powered subs. Come to think about it, my wireless Klipsch has been on since I bought it in 2018 because I couldn't get it to auto turn on and off while being wireless so I just leave it on.

[@josephsaucedo8691]

@@scottyo64 I take it that you probably don't turn it up to load and your probably not playing music daily on it. the auto on or leaving it on over time take a toll on the power supply after a while and most powered sub when played higher then half way and mainly music daily. will crack the soldier on the amp boards from the bass . My dad powered sub. he's had for over 4 years now but it's only used on the weekend and movies and 1/2 the time there not action movies and the model he has. Has a bad reputation of the amp going bad svs but he doesn't use it more then half ways up and 2 out 7 days a week. I play music with heavy bass 3/4 to almost full 2-3 hour a day 6 day a week then if I watch a movie or two and it usually war or action movies and i have several powered sub so many IV learned how to repair them. I sell the plate amps most of the time then aluminum plate the back off with banana plugs and use a external crown rack amp. if you were to ask any car audio install. if it a good idea to mount your amplifier to your subwoofer box. they will tell you that the best way to destroy your amplifier. It's also in a case not like plate. amplifier that exposed in the back.👌✌️👍💯🎶

[@Artcore103]

I'm surprised they're not that good since Fluance makes very high quality budget turntables. They should be selling 600 dollar passive speakers that are actually good, and 800 for active speakers that are actually good.

[@salmonline]

Nope. Not this time. Already bought the first set of Fluance floor standers you reviewed. Then the Ares II, then the Wharfdale Lintons, then the SVS SB1000Pro, then 2 of the Pelonis fans.

[@KS-mt1lb]

Compare these to the Klipsch "The Sixes" . They powered 6" Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono pre-amp for ~$500 I think that would be the better deal and they are book-shelf sized.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@34332]

I think not, but that's up to debate ofcourse. 😄

[@KingOath]

I love the random bits of British accent. You should try Australian too. Just pronounce the second T in Theater as a D and and you’re off to a good start lol

[@rorybuszka2215]

Speakers have had 100 years to become obsolete if they were going to, but there is no other less expensive way that humans have found to produce sound with good quality. We've even had a speaker built that had zero moving parts, and worked like an Ionic Breeze air purifier set to a music signal, and tweeters that work by modulating the size of a ball of plasma, but the moving coil speaker is still the dominant technology by the widest possible margin. The simpler and less expensive a technology is to implement, the more likely it will dominate others. Someone had the idea to wave paper around with magnets to make sound, and that's how it's been done for a century. Active (self-powered, self-processed) speaker systems have also existed for a long time, but their cost and relative complexity make them less desirable for some applications where people want the luxury of selecting their speakers and amps a-la-carte. A high-end company that has been doing powered speakers for a long time is Goldmund.

[@randylneisen4824]

Looking for the "skip ad" button!

[@jb678901]

Interesting...but for under $500 I bought a DAC (FiiO BTA30 Pro~$125), a Yamaha CR-420 receiver (mint condition, ~$155 delivered), a Marantz EQ-20 10 Band R/L equalizer (Mint+++ in its box, $120), decent RCA cables ($ 30), speaker wire ($30) and a wonderful set of Mourdant Short 20i speakers I saved at the Salvation Army store ($38, look and sound terrific). Total ~US$498.

[@claypf4795]

I'd be curious to know how these compare with any of the Edifier powered speakers. We use a pair of Edifiers instead of a soundbar in the living room, and every now and then I'll hear some little detail in a song on the Edifiers that don't show up on my HiFi setup in the basement.

[@PrezidentHughes]

I'm considering the Polk XT60, but I don't know which cheap mini amp I can put it with that is also reliable and has auto standby. So these have come back onto my radar as a soundbar substitute. 🤔 If the amp goes wrong I can deal directly with Fluance who I hear have decent customer service.

[@shipsahoy1793]

🤔Interesting, thanks for sharing…👨🏻 Liked your good for hooking up to a TV if you don’t want to go full AV analysis.. 😉

[@ed0c]

i wonder if they are built for movies/tv. sounds like it from your explanation

[@nuxboxen]

This product with a programmable DSP would revolutionize the market.....

[@jeffyardley2640]

This may seem like a totally stupid question... I just bought these speakers, cause I wanted white speakers for my living room... But I kinda like my receiver/DAC setup I already have... can I go from my reciever and just treat these speakers like passive speakers?

[@ericnortan9012]

My daughter is looking for bookshelf speakers to run off her computer. The separates guy in me immediately started designing a small system. Then I thought a powered speaker would probably be perfect for her needs, mostly movies and casual music streaming. I'm considering the ai61. Are they decent? Any recognizable speaker company to me either doesn't make them, they are way too expensive, the connectivity is lacking or wrong color options. (remember it's for my daughter, white). Most of these companies I either don't know or affiliate them with cheap (cheap bad not cheap inexpensive). $300 is a drop in the bucket I the audio world but is a lot of money for poor folk like me. I don't mind spending the cash if they are worth it.

[@greganderson1681]

I heard some awesome Elac powered bookshelf’s at the Audio Advice Live show a month ago. “Soon to be released”, so don’t know what they are. But they changed my opinion about powered speakers.

[@davidhayward2874]

Debut Connex?

[@rosswarren436]

I'll stick with separates. Just makes upgrading easier in the long run, unless you are someone who just wants something and live with it as an appliance sort of. Yeah, DSP and all that. I get it, but separates with Dirac and other DSP can do just as well. (Of course purist "audiophiles" would say DSP ruins the sound, just like having a fancy EQ). The only powered speakers I'd be into would be for desktop use at a PC maybe. But given consumer sentiment, powered speakers probably are "future fi" for the masses that don't want to "get into this as a hobby". Then there are many who simply want something for TV sound (mostly) but will play music through it some. Nearly anything will sound better than the anemic speakers in TVs, so yeah, they can serve a purpose and be better than most soundbars. It's almost comical now. I can get an 86" 4K TV at Sam's Club for $1300, but it sounds like a $10 AM/FM pocket radio. Ugh.

[@thomashobbes8786]

Totally agree. Who knows where sizable tech improvements will occur or what elements will fail. Better (in that context) to have as many separate components as possible so you can upgrade the parts where needed. But Randy hot the nail on the head. Convenience-seekers + non-critical listeners can be served well essentially by coming as close to all-in-ones as they can.

[@RennieAsh]

Top end Sony TVs generally come with somewhat decent audio for their size. For many who don't care for speakers, these are actually great. Far better than the oval shaped down firing full ranges that come with most sets ;p And as the TV gets thinner, so do the speakers, I've got some 10:1 aspect ratio speakers from a TV, it's amazing what they come up with

[@rosswarren436]

@@RennieAsh yes, I assume at higher prices, you should expect at least "usable" sound for watching news and such. It's just these cheaper but large TVs that many people gravitate toward these days are hard to listen to. My elderly neighbor didn't have the budget for a "great" TV, so ended up with a low end LG with fairly low end sound. I've told her at Christmas she should get a cheap soundbar. Even a cheap one would be a step up and offer clearer dialog for her old ears.

[@VC-zk1kv]

Hey Randy, faithful subscriber here.🙂 Did I see a Bluetooth symbol on the back side?? If these have it... I'm gettin'em!!! 🙂🙂😎😎

[@rehn1kri]

Fluance website does say that these have Bluetooth. Randy also mentions it in the review.

[@cheapaudioman]

Yes you do. The bluetooth on them sounds pretty good

[@colejensen1035]

I own the Fluance AI60 and I was a little disappointed with them. The price point is great and for a casual listener I think they are fine but for me the base was bloated (even with it turned all the way down) and the mids were veiled. I just use them as a garage speaker.

[@DescartesRenegade]

Try the Swans m5a. Those things are beastly

[@thomasboehnlein5205]

I have a pair of Klipsch powered tower speakers. I love how they sound for the bedroom with a Klipsch sub. However, the amplifier had noticeable white noise at 3kHz even when nothing is hooked up to it. Amp died out of warranty. Got a refurb amp from Klipsch hoping the new amp wouldn't have the same noise. It did. Now I use them as speaker stands for a set of powered bookshelf speakers in the bedroom. I don't even feel right giving them away cause of the white noise issue.

[@khalbrando2990]

Man you should have sent them back! I just got the R-28pf and they’re pretty amazing. I don’t have any white noise either. I’d be pissed, because I can imagine the nightmare of trying to ship these back would be. I’m still trying the best placement for them in my living room. I hate to hear that man. That sucks. I hope mine stay strong

[@thomasboehnlein5205]

@@khalbrando2990 I'm really happy to hear that. They sounded fantastic to me otherwise. Somebody should be enjoying these speakers.

[@peterhermina656]

Randy; I own these towers and have them paired with Polk 12" powered sub as my PC speakers and honestly for gaming; I love them. Did you break them in? How many hours did you listen to them?

[@marcelomunoz4130]

Klipsch the fives or fluance a61?

[@mrpositronia]

Your video title didn't mention the Fluance speaker review. Was this intentional?

[@shawnorjiakor]

Now, Fluance needs to improve quality control to avoid giving people defective units. It would be great.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@sourdoughhome2571]

This is rather like the difference between a tower and laptop computer. With a tower you can change out darn near everything - power supply, mother board, video and audio cards, RAM, drives and so on. With a laptop you can add memory and swap out the drive, but what you bought is pretty much what you get. If you're a gamer, you won't be happy with a laptop for long. A gamer with a tower can change their video card. There's a place for both the simple and expandable.

[@josephsaucedo8691]

I like big speaker and I like the idea of powered speaker I even thought about building a pair my self but if the amplifier is on the speaker box and it makes any bass it will kill the amplifier fast it's a fact the soldier will crack over time. So it will have problems after a couple years for sure. I like bass so you got me super interested in them but I would have to take out the amp and plate it off and put banana plugs and make a separate box for the amplifier it would be nice if the company made a power supply/amp box cord style originally that would be a awesome design.🤔 Any one that no about powered sub knows that the biggest problem is the amp being on the box but yet people still by that style 😂. car audio guys no to stay away from them in less you don't mind replacing the amp every 2to3 years .lol👍✌️👌💯🎶

[@ThePauly901]

ideal diy for home bracing etc?

[@georgeradulescu7175]

All-in-ones are always going to be a compromise, so like you said, this product is for convenience and background listening. But then, for that task, do you really need $500 towers? I dunno. I guess Fluance will sell some of these, just probably not a ton.

[@twiggyzappa]

Would you say it's worth the jump from the ai61's?

[@Manu-yv1jt]

Hi Randy, could you test the HECO Aurora 300? Would like to hear your opinion.

[@RennieAsh]

I've always called them neo-die-mium magnets. Then again I've heard people say "Dinn-audio" for Dynaudio so who knows

[@hifihillbilly4843]

Hi Randy! Great review! I have a question I hope you can help me with. I don’t get off work in time for your live show. I just bought a pair of wharfdale lintons and was curious what amp you would recommend. I have separates right now ares2/ bifrost 2/64, schiit saga + (tube) thinking about going saga s (no tube) and a emotiva xpa-200. Doesn’t have to be separates you have a integrated in mind. Thanks

[@acche-rc]

They should've come with chromecast enabled

[@anaxa4883]

Powered speakers can be technically superior if they have an active DSP crossover. Combine that with with built in room correction and passive speakers will not be able to compete in the near future.

[@daveduncan9369]

Are the Vanatoo T1Es you recently reviewed more hi-fi than these Fluances?

[@vannk73]

No product link?

[@mateojarquin]

Nice review. You might get more critical-listening enjoyment from the powered speakers by PSB (AM3/AM5). Check em out!

[@thomashobbes8786]

Glad that Squarespace is giving you the bucks! Congrats! Sith Audio will find you though…damn midichlorians.

[@rene2666]

Hi Randy, please tell me what would you pick up for Wharfedale Evo 4.1 , class d such smsl da9 or class A Denon pma 600 ? Thanks a lot

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

No, i still use my dads 40 year old JBL 4345 and i love tube amps. I believe most people who want convenience and don't care much about the sound, still wouldn't spend $500.

[@ourcatlovesjazz]

Hi Randy -Still confused - Sooooo would these be a good fit with my fluance RT85s? Small living room don't want to add an amp if I can help it

[@donaldchamble6897]

Good morning brother

[@naturalverities]

The reason powered speakers are the future is DSP multiamping, not the convenient location of the amps. Elimination of the LCR passive crossovers and carefully tailored corrective EQ and signal path delay are affordable game changers. But they can't correct a poorly designed cabinet, as this review highlights.

[@stevexc222]

I want to run powered speakers but there is one big problem stopping me. I love the way Kef speakers sound, but their electronics are garbage so I refuse to buy any more of their active speakers or subs (I've already been let down twice, I won't make that mistake again).

[@josephsaucedo8691]

Lol I no what your talking about it because the amplifier are mounted to the box and any bass kills electronics brake the soldier on the board and it's doesn't work. 👍✌️👌💯🎶

[@JerryWDaviscom]

needs a phone app like a fiios BTR5 ?

[@Old_Sailor85]

I already have power amps and pre-amps, so no, I'm not interested in powered speakers. Maybe when we downsize to an apartment or a very small house, but you still need an AVR for video so why would you need a powered speaker? I'll up my headphone system when we go to a small living space.

[@CJNooberson]

Bear with me here, as I know many folks will disagree with me. I love the motivation behind products like this, but the execution always seems to go off the rails. Would I love a pair of powered tower speakers at an amazing price? INDEED, I would! Do I want it to be DSPed to all hell? INDEED, I do NOT! I would like to send these speakers a great analog signal (from a phono preamp or an R2R/multibit DAC) and for the speakers to simply amplify the signal. I don't want my awesome analog source to be converted back to digital so that the DSP can take over. If these were simply powered speakers (sons dac and dsp), I'd literally purchase two pair ASAP! Powered speakers are the future, but all the other bullshit that always seems to come with it kills it for me.

[@CJNooberson]

It's funny too, because what I want would cost less for them to make and I would gladly pay the same price.

[@rosswarren436]

The KEF LS60 might be the ticket or at least a ticket. Not sure if the DSP can be turned off though. Indeed the speakers may sound like crap with it OFF...

[@palmal3542]

Studio monitors are majority powered...do those guys know something we don't?

[@mcbowler]

Neodymium

[@Sylvan_dB]

So... how would these compare with some basic/minimalist separate amp and speaker? I'm thinking of a system like an SMSL AD18 and a couple of Polk T-50's. Any other minimal that is a step above powered speakers, thus opening the possibility of upgrades while keeping it more simple than an AV receiver?

[@RennieAsh]

I use a slightly more expensive smsl, but still pretty tiny amp, with rather high end-ish speakers. I find the little amp sounds great, it won't drive the speakers to their maximum, but I hardly ever want that volume. The amp puts out 40W into 4 Ohm, a bit less into 8. It has bluetooth too, not that I use it much. Powered speakers still use a cable, so as long as your amp/etc is pretty minimalist, then you can keep a clean setup. If you like physical media, it's a bit hard to escape having a bunch of cables. You could make your own custom cables or use really short ones to keep things tidy along with cable management

[@brucesamuelson7541]

I live across the street from a Zumba dancercise studio and my system sounds better hahaha 😅

[@MAD450r2]

Have u heard any Diamondboxx products? I have the original diamondboxx and love its sound quality for a boombox sized product the sound is very clean. For 5 inch woofers theres plenty of bass. I havent heard there new larger model or the smaller model than mine. The newer models do have tone controls. Mine doesnr. But i do use my phones EQ with mine.

[@geoffreydebrito2653]

The cost savings in powered speakers is obviously the attraction. I take care with my equipment . Yet over the years I've had 3 integrated amps die on me. The mortal enemy of electronics is heat and vibration. The inside of a speaker experiences strong vibrations. It seems to me that is a formula for future disappointment.

[@avsystem3142]

To the contrary, powered speakers are used in the best studios in the world. The reason is that the characteristics of the speakers and the characteristics of the amplifiers (high quality powered speakers are bi-amped) can be closely matched to yield the most accurate sound reproduction. Powered speakers typically use Class D amplifiers which produce very little heat. The level of vibration in a speaker cabinet is not going to be harmful to property designed solid state electronics. I use two sets of Adam Audio (T5V and A7X models) in my home studio (with an Adam Audio Sub10) and they are the best speakers I have ever heard.

[@carlsitler9071]

Audiophile and even hifi is almost dead. How many people even have a home system? 1% maybe? At best, 10% have a sound bar or equivalent. Maybe 0.1% have a dedicated music 2 channel hifi system.

[@Rorgash]

500$ thats super cheap, i mean my passive were cheap at 1500$ so this is kinda amazing in a way, but like a lot of speaker or headphones these days, people love bass and such, they tend to be good for club and rap music, but nothing else :/ But i also just bought another pair of speakers for my bedroom tv, release price was 1100$, i bought them used for 300$, Always look for used speakers, they last for decades.

[@randybehenna3763]

I will never give up my amp ………. Maybe

[@pablocruze9307]

Fluance is good at turntables not so much with speakers.

[@Durkhead]

It looks like the took a Dayton audio kit built it and there selling them I wonder how much it would be to build them yourself

[@stonefree1911]

Pretty dead on review Randall. I have the 5" bookshelves in bamboo and white for my work computer and they do sound very good for casual listening. Good enough sound for very enjoyable casual listening, but not "audiophile" quality. But still definitely worth buying.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I think soundbars (sometimes augmented by a sub) are going to get better and better until nobody bothers with stereo apart from die-hard audiophiles.

[@LandronArtifacts]

Makes me wonder how much of its audio anomalies are due to a wonky DSP and less than stellar amp as opposed to the speaker itself. I'd be curious to see what this speaker would sound like without the built-in amp and run on an external power amp or receiver. Elsewhere a reviewer expressed his overall liking for their powered bookshelves but commented on their often misbehaving DSP which tended to give it a somewhat schizophrenic complex.

[@sourdoughhome2571]

The second speaker could be run from an external amp. You wouldn't have imaging, but you could check out balance, bass, treble and so on.