Fluance Ai81 Review: Big Speaker Thrills at a Small Price
When it comes to speakers, size often matters. Larger cabinets and drivers can deliver a more powerful and immersive sound experience, but they also tend to come with a hefty price tag. Fluance, however, has found a way to offer high-quality, large speakers at a price point that rivals smaller, less powerful competitors. The Fluance Ai81 is a pair of floorstanding powered speakers that promise big sound without breaking the bank. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what the Ai81 has to offer, its pros and cons, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Pros and Cons of the Fluance Ai81
Pros
- Big, confident, and surprisingly nuanced sound
- Well-made and reasonably attractive design
- Very keenly priced for the amount of speaker you get
Cons
- Can sound a bit heavy at times
- Limited connectivity options
- Bluetooth lacks advanced codec support
Key Features of the Fluance Ai81
Design
The Fluance Ai81 is a 2.5-way floorstanding powered speaker that is designed to offer a lot of bang for your buck. It’s available in four different finishes—Black Ash, Natural Walnut, Lucky Bamboo, and White Walnut—so you can choose an option that best suits your room’s décor. The design is elegant and understated, with a modern aesthetic that makes it look more expensive than it actually is.
One interesting design feature is the use of outrigger feet, which provide additional stability and reduce the risk of the speakers being knocked over. However, the absence of carpet-piercing spikes and a front grille are areas where Fluance has cut costs to keep the price low.
Connectivity
The Ai81 offers a reasonable selection of inputs, but it is somewhat limited compared to more expensive models. The speaker includes:
- 1x RCA input
- 1x Optical input
- Bluetooth 5.0
While this should cover most basic needs, the lack of HDMI ARC and more advanced Bluetooth codecs (like aptX) may be a dealbreaker for some. If you plan to use the Ai81 with a TV, you'll need to use the optical input, and if you're streaming music via Bluetooth, the audio quality may not be as high as it could be with more advanced codecs.
Power and Drivers
The Ai81 is powered by a built-in 150-watt Class D amplifier, delivering 75 watts per channel. This is more than enough power for most listening environments, even larger rooms. The speaker features a 1-inch soft dome tweeter and two 6.5-inch mid-bass drivers made of woven glass fiber. These drivers combine to offer a claimed frequency response down to 30Hz, which is impressive for a speaker at this price point.
Sound Quality
Big, Confident, and Powerful Sound
The Fluance Ai81 delivers on its promise of big, room-filling sound. Thanks to its large drivers and cabinet size, it offers a level of bass response and overall impact that smaller speakers simply can’t match. Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, the Ai81 provides a sense of scale and weight that makes everything sound more immersive.
Surprising Nuance and Delicacy
While the Ai81 excels at delivering powerful bass and big sound, it’s also capable of surprising nuance and delicacy. For example, when listening to more intricate tracks like “Storm” by the Black Lilys, the Ai81 does an excellent job of rendering the delicate vocals and creating a convincing soundstage. The three drivers work together seamlessly, with no noticeable crossover points.
Bluetooth Performance
The Ai81 includes Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless streaming, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t support advanced codecs like aptX or AAC. As a result, the Bluetooth sound can feel a bit flat compared to a wired connection. If you’re an audiophile or someone who values high-quality Bluetooth streaming, this could be a limitation.
A Bit Heavy on the Bass
One area where the Ai81 can falter is in its handling of bass-heavy tracks. While the speaker is capable of delivering deep, powerful bass, it can sometimes lack the speed and articulation needed for more complex basslines. This can result in a slightly muddy or “lumpen” sound in certain situations. Fortunately, the included remote allows you to adjust the bass and treble to suit your preferences, which can help mitigate this issue.
Should You Buy the Fluance Ai81?
Bang for Your Buck
For the price, the Fluance Ai81 offers a tremendous amount of speaker. Few competitors in the sub-$500 range can match its combination of size, power, and sound quality. If you’re looking for a speaker that can fill a large room with sound and don’t mind some of the connectivity limitations, the Ai81 is a fantastic option.
Buy the Fluance Ai81 on Amazon
Some Economy Measures
The Ai81 does make some sacrifices to keep the price low. The limited connectivity options and lack of advanced Bluetooth codecs may be a downside for some users. Additionally, the absence of a grille and carpet-piercing spikes are small signs of cost-cutting in the design.
Final Thoughts
If you’re working with a limited budget but want a speaker that can deliver big sound, the Fluance Ai81 is hard to beat. Its combination of power, size, and sound quality makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to fill a large room with immersive audio. While it does have some limitations, particularly in terms of connectivity and Bluetooth performance, these are relatively minor trade-offs considering the value it offers.
Check out the Fluance Ai81 on Amazon
FAQs
How many colors does the Fluance Ai81 come in?
The Fluance Ai81 is available in four colors: Black Ash, Natural Walnut, Lucky Bamboo, and White Walnut.
Does the Fluance Ai81 support HDMI ARC?
No, the Fluance Ai81 does not support HDMI ARC. It includes an optical input and RCA input for connecting to external devices.
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