With so much financial uncertainty and ugly rhetoric back and forth between American and Canadian politicians right now, it has become somewhat dicey to delve into the trade war and impact of tariffs – but we have to deal with reality. We are huge proponents of Canadian high-end audio components and loudspeakers and we think Americans would be making a mistake crossing them off any lists. Buy quality – regardless of where it is made. Fluance has developed a reputation for making reasonably priced high-performance music systems and turntables. The Canadian manufacturer has added two new powered speaker systems to their product line, the Fluance Ri71 Reference Bookshelf Speakers and the Ri91 Reference Tower Speakers.
The Ri71 and Ri91 are powered systems where the “primary” speaker contains all of the amplification and connections and the “secondary” speaker connects via the supplied loudspeaker cables.
Core Features of Both Systems
The Ri71 and Ri91 are a step up from the previously released Ai61 and Ai81. The amplifiers deliver the same wattage for bookshelf and floorstanding equivalents, but the Ri71 and Ri91 feature an AMT tweeter for greater high-end detail and superior off-axis performance, as well as elevated streaming music quality via Bluetooth aptX HD and HDMI ARC for easy setup and superior performance for TV listening. The HDMI-ARC feature enables listeners to use the Ri71 and Ri91 systems as soundbar substitutes.
Both the Ri71 and Ri91 powered speakers are designed to elevate the listening experience with advanced Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeters for crisp, detailed highs and custom-engineered waveguides for expansive sound dispersion. These components help to create an immersive soundstage, ensuring accurate reproduction of every instrument and vocal. The bass and treble response is adjustable via the provided remote or onboard controls.
From Saied Swalee, Audio Engineer at Fluance: “Our new Reference Series Speakers are a testament to our commitment to fidelity, emphasizing sonic balance, intricate detail, and clarity in sound reproduction….This series appeals to the refined tastes of true sound connoisseurs, providing an unmatched listening experience without compromise.”
Ri71
The Ri71 bookshelf speakers combine a 120W amplifier with 5” woven glass fiber drivers, delivering a rich midrange and deep bass with a decrease in distortion levels. The rigid cone is designed to provide crystal clear, natural sound.
The Ri71 uses digital signal processing to enhance the vocal range, low-frequency response, and overall balance. The acoustically inert MDF wood cabinet, reinforced with internal bracing and a tuned front-firing port, enhances bass response and reduces unwanted resonance, ensuring a pure and natural sound profile.
Ri91
Engineered for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts, the Ri91 floorstanding speakers are designed to deliver room-filling sound with dual 6.5-inch woven glass fiber drivers. The drivers are supported by 150W Class D amplifiers and advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP).
The precise tuning of the amplifier, drivers, crossovers, and cabinet ensures seamless signal alignment, and the speakers’ rigid structure produces clean, powerful low frequencies. The
MDF wood cabinet is designed to be acoustically inert and features extensive internal bracing.
Comparison
| Fluance Model | Ri91 | Ai81 (2022) | Ri71 | Ai61 (2021) |
| Speaker Type | Floorstanding Wireless Speaker | Floorstanding Wireless Speaker | Bookshelf/Standmount Wireless Speaker | Bookshelf/Standmount Wireless Speaker |
| Price (pr) | $799.99 | $549.98 | $399.99 | $299.99 |
| Speaker Configuration | 2.5 Way – 3 Driver Powered Floorstanding Speaker System with Integrated Amplifier (Pair – 1x Active, 1x Passive) | Speaker Configuration 2 Way – 3 Driver Powered Floorstanding Speaker System with Integrated Amplifier (Pair – 1x Active 1x Passive) | 2-Way, 2-Driver Powered Bookshelf Speaker System with Integrated Amplifier (Pair – 1x Active, 1x Passive) | 2-Way – 2-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System with Integrated Amplifier (Pair – 1x Active, 1x Passive) |
| Enclosure | Tuned Front Firing Port Bass Reflex Design Dampened | Tuned Down-Firing Port Bass Reflex Design Dampened | Tuned Front Firing Port Bass Reflex Design Dampened | Tuned Rear Port Bass Reflex Design Dampened |
| Tweeter | 28 x 35 x 27mm x 33mm inch AMT (Air Motion Transformer) | 1-inch Silk Soft Dome Neodymium Ferrofluid Cooled | 28 x 35mm x 27mm x 33mm AMT (Air Motion Transformer) | 1-inch Silk Soft Dome Neodymium Ferrofluid Cooled |
| Woofer | Dual 6.5 inch Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Drivers with Butyl Rubber Surrounds | Dual 6.5 inch Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Drivers with Butyl Rubber Surrounds | 5.25-inch Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Drivers with Butyl Rubber Surrounds | 6.5-inch Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Drivers with Butyl Rubber Surrounds |
| Amplifier Type | Class D | Class D | Class D | Class D |
| Amplifier Power | 150 Watts Continuous Average Output (2 x 75 watts RMS) | 150 Watts Continuous Average Output (2 x 75 watts RMS) | 120 Watts Continuous Average Output (2 x 60 watts RMS) | 120 Watts Continuous Average Output (2 x 60 watts RMS) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz – 30 Hz (DSP Enhanced) | 30Hz-20kHz (DSP Enhanced) | 46Hz – 30 kHz (DSP Enhanced) | 32Hz – 20kHz (DSP Enhanced) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2700Hz Asymmetrical 12 dB/Oct – PCB Mounted Circuitry | 2200Hz Phase Coherent 12dB/Oct – PCB Mounted Circuitry | 2700Hz Asymmetrical 12 dB/Oct – PCB Mounted Circuitry | 2800Hz Phase Coherent 12dB/Oct – PCB Mounted Circuitry |
| Bluetooth | Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD, 192 kHz 24-bit, aptX Low Latency, SBC (Subband Codec), AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) | Yes, BT 5.0 |
| Audio Inputs | 2 x RCA L/R, Bluetooth, & HDMI ARC | 2x RCA L/R, Bluetooth, & Digital Optical TOSLINK | RCA L/R, Bluetooth, & HDMI ARC | RCA L/R, Bluetooth, Optical TOSLINK, USB Type-C |
| Internal Lead Wire | 18-Gauge Internal Lead Wire to Reduce Signal Degradation | 18-Gauge Internal Lead Wire to Reduce Signal Degradation | 18-Gauge Internal Lead Wire to Reduce Signal Degradation | 18-Gauge Internal Lead Wire to Reduce Signal Degradation |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes, 80 Hz Low-pass Frequency Cutoff | Yes, 80 Hz Low-pass Frequency Cutoff | Yes, 80 Hz Low-pass Frequency Cutoff | Yes, 80 Hz Low-pass Frequency Cutoff |
| Phono Preamp | No | No | No | No |
| Internal DAC | Yes, Up to 192 kHz 24-bit, THD+N ≤ 0.03% at 1 Watt, SNR ≥ 110 dB (A-weighted) | Yes | Yes, Up to 192 kHz 24-bit, THD+N ≤ 0.03% at 1 Watt, SNR ≥ 110 dB (A-weighted) | Yes |
| WiFi Casting | Pairs via Bluetooth with Google Home, Amazon Echo, and AppleTV (Ri91 is not a WiFi speaker) | Pairs via Bluetooth with Google Home, Amazon Echo, and AppleTV (Ai81 is not a WiFi speaker) | Stream via Bluetooth with Google Home, Amazon Echo, and AppleTV (Ri71 is not a WiFi speaker) | Pairs via Bluetooth with Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple TV (Ai61 is not a Wi-Fi speaker) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | No indicated | <0.1% (THD+ N) | <0.3% (THD+ N 1%) | <0.3% (THD+ N 1%) |
| Power Input | 100-240V AC (50/60Hz) | 100-240V AC (50/60Hz) | 100-240 V AC (50/60 Hz) | Input: 100-240V 50Hz/60Hz |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 41.73 x 8.5 x 10.24 inches / 106.0 x 21.6 x 26.0 cm | 37.8 x 8.50 x 10.24 inches / 96 x 21.6 x 26 cm | 12.20 x 7.28 x 7.83 inches / 31.0 x 18.5 x 19.9 cm | 13.1 x 7.8 x 9.2 inches / 33.3 x 19.8 x 23.4 cm |
| Speaker Weight | Active Speaker: 41.89 lb (19 kg) Passive Speaker: 40.79 lb (18.5 kg) | Active Speaker: 30.61 lbs (13.88 kg) Passive Speaker: 29.02 lbs (13.16 kg) | Active Speaker: 14.11 lb (6.4 kg) Passive Speaker: 11.02 lb (5 kg) | Active Speaker: 14.03 lbs (6.36 kg) Passive Speaker: 13.14 lbs (5.96 kg |
| Finishes | White, Black, Walnut | White Walnut, Black Ash, Luck Bamboo, Natural Walnut | White, Black, Walnut | White Walnut, Black Ash, Luck Bamboo, Natural Walnut |
| In the Box | Ri91 Reference Stereo Floorstanding Speakers (pair) Remote Control and Batteries 6ft. Power Cable 8ft 18-Gauge Speaker Wire Quick Start Guide Fluance Catalog Lifetime Customer Support 2 Year Warranty | Ai81 Powered Floorstanding Speakers (pair) Remote Control and Batteries 6ft. Power Cable 8ft 18 Gauge Speaker Wire Quick Start Guide Fluance Catalog Lifetime Customer Support 2 Year Warranty | Ri71 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (pair) Remote Control and Batteries 6ft. Power Cable 8ft 18-Gauge Speaker Wire Quick Start Guide Lifetime Customer Support 2 Year Warranty | Ai61 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (pair) Remote ControlAnd Batteries 6ft. Power Cable 8ft 18-Gauge Speaker Wire Quick Start Guide Fluance Catalog Lifetime Customer Support 2 Year Warranty |
The Bottom Line
Fluance continues to expand its speaker offerings with the Ri91 and Ri71 powered speakers, which offer some improvements over the previously released Ai81 and Ai61, such as the addition of AMT tweeters, HDMI-ARC, and phono compatible RCA analog inputs, but there are also some things that still make the Ai81 and Ai61 good options at lower price points.
On paper, the Fluance Ai81 and Ai61 have slightly wider frequency response, and although they don’t provide HDMI-ARC or phono-compatible RCA inputs, they do offer digital optical inputs, and the Ai61 has USB-C input connections, so it may be a toss-up as to which speaker system might work best for you.
The two new models do not feature internal MM phono pre-amplifiers which means that you will need to use a turntable with its own or an external phono preamp between the turntable and loudspeakers. We have a few affordable suggestions here.
The downside is that these speakers don’t have built-in streaming (no WiFi) – so you need to access streaming content via your smartphone and pass it to the speakers via Bluetooth or connect an external media streamer.
Pricing & Availability
The Ri71 Reference Powered Bookshelf Speakers ($399.99) and Ri91 Reference Powered Tower Speakers ($799.99) are available in Black Ash, White Ash, and Walnut at Fluance.com.
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