Subj : Fluance's chic powered bookshelf speakers offer impressively deta To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Sat Nov 15 2025 10:45:07 Fluance's chic powered bookshelf speakers offer impressively detailed, almost neutral sound with very few drawbacks Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:30:00 +0000 Description: The Fluance Ri71 are great for mid-range powered bookshelf speakers, offering detailed sound with an almost neutral, polite quality. FULL STORY ======================================================================Fluance Ri71: Two-minute review If youve looked into mid-range speakers from Fluance like the Fluance Ri71 powered speakers reviewed here, youll see people talk about how theyre good for the price. There have been plenty of caveats and plenty of hedging since, after all, the speakers are manufactured in Taiwan. Never mind that theyre designed in Canada or the fact that, regardless of where theyre from, theyre just good speakers. Having reviewed these speakers, I can honestly say that the Fluance Ri71 sound great and not just for the price. Yes, they may not quite reach the heights of something from Dali or KEF, but they still have a fairly neutral, detailed sound that works for all genres. The price tag is an added bonus as theyre among the best stereo speakers out there for anyone not wanting to spend over $500. I do wish there were also USB or USB-C port to connect to a computer and the placement of the volume wheel is not ideal. Though I like the look of a naked speaker (and therefore dont count it as a negative), they dont come with a grille for those who care. Theres really not much to complain about here. Really, the Fluance Ri71 speakers are an easy recommendation for anyone looking for powered bookshelf speakers. And though theres no spatial audio or surround sound, they work pretty well for TV, too. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Fluance Ri71 review: Price & release date Released March, 2025 Priced $399.99 / 333.32 / AU$620 (approx.) With a price tag of $399.99 / 333.32 / AU$620 (approx.), the Fluance Ri71 sits right in mid-range territory. You can certainly find some powered bookshelf speakers for triple the price (and not necessarily triple the performance) you can also spend quite a bit less. Fluances own Ai41 powered speakers come in at $249 (255, AU$471), but those are smaller with less power and a less refined sound. The Fluance Ri71 are available in the US and in the UK (via Amazon). Though Fluance maintains a presence on Amazon AUS (for Australia), the Ri71 dont seem to be available Down Under at this time. Fluance Ri71 review: Specs Weight 6.4 kg (active speaker); 5 kg (passive speaker) Dimensions 310 x 185 x 199 mm Subwoofer No (has sub out) Frequency response 46 Hz - 30 kHz Dolby Atmos / DTS:X enabled? No Maximum output 120 watts Fluance Ri71 review: Features Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD and AAC codecs capable of almost lossless streaming Included HDMI is ARC-enabled for use with a TV No spatial audio or Wi-Fi streaming Powered bookshelf speakers such as the Fluance Ri7 bridge the gap between a traditional speaker setup and what people want out of a modern sound system. That means there are some great quality-of-life features on hand, while some things a casual listener might expect or hope for are just not here. So, neither spatial audio, surround sound nor Wi-Fi streaming are part of the package, but thats generally the case with this type of speaker setup and not really a knock against them in my opinion. What is on hand, however, is a decent amount of connectivity including Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD and AAC codecs for close-to lossless streaming. In the past, theres been a noticeable difference in quality between Bluetooth audio and that sent through a wired signal because the latter doesnt have to compress the sound. But thats no longer the case. Theres a small difference but, in my opinion, its very hard to notice. Theres also an HDMI port on hand, meaning these speakers can be used with a TV. The built-in offerings on most TVs generally suck, so having a good pair of speakers is always a welcome upgrade. And while they might not be as feature-filled as some of the best soundbars around the same price tag, they still offer a better stereo soundstage. And (usually) better sound. Since the HDMI connection is ARC-supported, you can control the volume with one remote. Features score: 4.5/5 (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Fluance Ri71 review: Sound quality Decent low end without subwoofer Impressively detailed high end Immersive, if polite-sounding While you shouldnt rely too much on a speakers frequency range as a gauge of sound quality, the range of 46 Hz - 30 kHz does tell us a few things. At 46Hz, the low end is not all that low, but is comparable to other powered bookshelf speakers, with many having a higher cutoff. The Fluance Ri71 also has bass ports at the bottom of the speaker cabinet to accentuate what it can reproduce. That means that, while you dont quite have that very low rumble you might hear in electronic dance music or an action scene in a movie, you still get a well-balanced if slightly restrained bass response. Listening to anything with heavy 808 usage (that deep bass you hear in hip-hop and EDM) is going to lack a little oomph. On the high end of that aforementioned range, 30kHz is pretty impressive, with that extended high end potentially coming from the AMT tweeters. Either way, thats much better than the 20kHz range around which many speakers sit. Now, many of us probably cant hear up to 30kHz but what this extended range, plus the fast response of those tweeters, mean is that theres not only an immediacy to higher-end sound but a clarity to themtoo. Its almost as if someone pulled a blanket off the band Im listening to and all of sudden I can hear intricacies of the ride and the sweetness of the strings. Or, if you prefer the more boring way of saying it, the music feels less compressed and less filtered. The midrange feels a little pulled back, which makes everything sound more polite. It can make rock music sound just a little aggressive, for instance. Unfortunately, you can only boost or cut the high or low end. As far as soundstage goes, the Fluance Ri71 sound good wherever you place them but really benefit from spending the time to actually adjust them to your ears. Youll know its right when you can hear the center channel in the middle as if there were a speaker there. They also do a good job with sound imaging. I feel that I have a solid grasp of where an aural element is in the mix beyond just left, right, and center, which makes the listening experience all the more immersive. Sound quality score: 4.5/5 (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Fluance Ri71 review: Design New AMT tweeter is the most unique design choice here Unusual placement of controls No digital connectivity beyond HDMI The Fluance Ri71 have a look and general design much like any other active bookshelf speakers. There are two of them standing at about 12 inches (310mm) in height. Each speaker cabinet is fairly rectangular in shape, though they do taper near the back. And they come in the kind of looks good in an office colorways one would expect. Specifically, theyre available in white, walnut, and black. One thing I do appreciate is the fact that the white and black (reviewed here) still have noticeable wood grain. Of course, these are made of MDF wood, but thats most bookshelf speakers these days for you. As far as the actual drivers go, each speaker cabinet comes with a 5.25-inch (133.3 mm) woven glass fiber driver and an AMT (air motion transformer) tweeter, along with a long, thin bass port beneath to emphasize the low end. Besides any upgraded internal bracing, the AMT tweeter is the new star of the show. These tweeters are different than the regular tweeters insofar as they offer a faster response and more detail, though placement is a bit more precise. Since these are powered bookshelf speakers with 120 watts coursing through them via a Class D amp, there are some on-unit controls on the right speaker. Theres a volume wheel on the back at the top, a strange place considering these dials are usually more accessible on the front. You can press the volume wheel to change inputs (an LED indicator on the front changes color depending on the input). Then, theres a treble and bass wheel on the back along with the power and a Bluetooth pairing button. Port-wise, I was disappointed to not see any digital connectivity such as USB or USB-C, since I do a lot of my listening through streaming services via my laptop, but it does at least have that aforementioned ARC-supported HDMI, allowing me to change the volume using the TV remote. Theres also the typical RCA inputs as well as a sub-out port. Because of the placement of the various wheels, the remote is quite handy. Besides power and volume, you can change input, adjust the treble and bass, mute, and turn off the LED on the speaker. Design score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Q Acoustics 3020c review: Setup and usability Basically plug and play Bluetooth will automatically look to pair Placement is important, like any bookshelf speakers Since the Fluance Ri71 are powered bookshelf speakers, theyre very easy to set up. The active speaker with all the ports goes on the right and the passive one goes on the left. Then you just have to connect the passive speaker to the active with the included speaker wire thats helpfully color-coded red and white. The tips on each side are soldered solid so you dont have to worry about little pieces of speaker wire splintering off. While it would have been even more convenient for the tips to have banana plugs, you just have to insert the appropriate tip in the exposed hole and screw down the top. Keep the colors the same on both sides and it will take less than a minute to connect the two speakers. Then plug in the power cord and turn it on. From there, you just need to plug in the desired source or connect via Bluetooth pairing is simple as the speaker will automatically start the process if its not already done so and youre good to go. Of course, remember that bookshelf speakers do require a little bit of finesse in their placement for the best sound, but that goes for all bookshelf speakers and is something Ive covered in another article in greater detail. You want a prcis? Basically, just have them an equal distance from each other, and you, with them pointed at you. You're welcome. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Setup and usability score: 5/5 Fluance Ri71 review: Value More than a few alternatives have USB HDMI is a bit rarer on bookshelf speakers Well-priced, but not a steal Since the Fluance Ri71 are firmly in mid-range territory, youll probably end up comparing them to models from Q Acoustics, Audioengine, and Kanto. Take the Q Acoustics M20 HD for instance, which at $499 is a little pricier yet is considered one of the better affordable powered bookshelf speakers here at TechRadar. It has full, uncompressed sound and has the ability to flip which speaker is left or right. It also comes with a USB port, though lacks an HDMI. A step up from that, at least financially, is the Kanto Ren , another excellent alternative. It goes for $599 / 599 / 719 and comes with all the connectivity one could want, whether its Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI, or USB-C. It also sounds great, with excellent clarity, though its bass can get a little flabby. The point in comparing the Fluance Ri71 to these other speakers that these are excellent speakers and youll be happy with them, if youre looking to stay under a certain price point. But the ones that are just a little pricier are justifiably so, even if its mostly on account of having a special feature or extra port. The Fluance Ri71 are a good price, but theyre not a steal. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Value score: 4/5 Should you buy the Fluance Ri71? Fluance Ri71 Score Card Attributes Notes Rating Features With HDMI ARC and Bluetooth aptx HD, theres not much more one could ask for, outside of Wi-Fi streaming. 4.5/5 Sound quality Neutral sound, plenty of detail and still a surprising amount of low-end, the Fluance Ri71 sound a treat. 4.5/5 Design Awkward controls, and no USB connectivity; the AMT tweeter is a nice design upgrade. 4/5 Setup and usability Despite the control placement, very easy, especially with the remote. 5/5 Value Despite the connectivity quirks, a wonderful-sounding speaker for a reasonable price. Has competition at the price. 4/5 Buy them if... You want detailed, almost neutral audio The Fluance Ri71 have a clarity that feels almost polite, but is always a pleasure to listen to. These are the kind of speakers that make you feel like you can hear every detail. You need HDMI If you also want to use your bookshelf speakers for TV, having an HDMI port is critical, especially one that supports ARC, meaning you can use your TV remote to control the volume. You want to stay under $500 Appropriately but well priced, the Fluance Ri71 dont quite offer what more expensive speakers do, but they sound good enough that you wont care. And you can put that extra cash back in your pocket. Don't buy them if... You need USB-C connectivity If your main way of listening to music is connecting your laptop directly to powered speakers, then youll be disappointed having to use an old school RCA adapter. A lot of laptops dont have an HDMI out (and some dont even have an AUX port). You want easy on-unit access to the volume The volume wheel is awkwardly placed. Thats mostly a non-issue with the remote, but if you care or happen to lose all your remotes, you wont like the fact that the volume wheel is at the back of the speaker. Fluance Ri71 review: Also consider Q Acoustics M20 HD The Q Acoustics M20 HD are excellent bookshelf speakers at a slightly higher price point. They offer USB connectivity, but not HDMI. The left and right speaker configuration can also be reversed. They also have a detailed, uncompressed sound. Read our full Q Acoustics M20 HD review Kanto Ren The Kanto Ren has it all in terms of connectivity USB-C, HDMI, Bluetooth 5.3 and it comes in interesting colors, though it will pick up every fingerprint. Its lovely with a full, robust sound but the bass can get a little flabby. Read our full Kanto Ren review How I tested the Fluance Ri71 Used regularly for a few weeks Listened to all sorts of audio Used the various controls and ports I used the Fluance Ri71 for a few weeks, listening to all sorts of genres of music like hip-hop, EDM, Top 40 pop, rock, and folk to get a better feel for these speakers. They were also tested with some TV shows and computer games. I tested the various controls and ports as well. Ive tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test. First reviewed: November 2025 Read more about how we test at TechRadar ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/speakers/fluance-ri71-review --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .