As a music enthusiast and tech-savvy individual who’s had his fair share of audio equipment, I can confidently say that the Fluance Ai41 bookshelf speakers are a real game-changer for any home audio setup!
For many players, gaming headsets and headphones are probably the go-to choice for audio solutions, while speakers, especially speakers like the Fluance Ai41, do not often cross gamers’ minds, though maybe they should. Stereo speakers offer a wider sound stage and much more powerful sound than any headphones out there, even when available at a reasonable price point, which the Ai41 flaunts.
In the realm of vinyl sound systems and turntables, Fluance has gained significant recognition. However, their latest model, the Ai41, is designed with a broader scope in mind rather than just being a component for vinyl playback. Over the past couple of weeks, we had the opportunity to evaluate the Ai41 to determine if it truly lived up to its versatile reputation. We put the speakers through their paces by using them for listening to music, watching movies and television, and even gaming.
Unboxing and Setup Process
- Fluance Ai41 Bookshelf speakers
- Remote control
- 8ft 18 gauge speaker wire
- 6ft power cable
For someone like me, who spent my youth in the early 2000s and am accustomed to traditional bookshelf speakers from that time, opening and setting up the Fluance Ai41 was a real delight. Usually, when speakers come with speaker wire for connecting the stereo drives, it can be quite a hassle and tedious process. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Ai41 took a more straightforward approach by using a nut-and-bolt design for the speaker wire connection. This meant that all I had to do was insert the exposed ends of the wire into their respective ports and secure it with a screw. This setup eliminated the need for wire strippers or cutters, unless you wish to tidy up the cable run and are not using the entire 8-foot cable length.
Once you’ve finished setting things up, attach the power cord and select a cable (either RCA or optical) that you’ve sourced yourself. If you prefer to use Bluetooth, you can skip this step and proceed directly.
Connectivity
Using the Fluance AI41 is a delight regardless of how you configure it – whether it’s in your living room connected to a TV and turntable, or on your desk. If you intend to use these speakers for desktop purposes, however, it’s crucial to check if your desktop has an optical connection, or else purchase an adapter to ensure optimal gaming performance. While the Bluetooth connection is fine for music playback, latency may become noticeable when watching movies or playing games.
If you’re connecting speakers to your TV, opt for the optical connection as it’s likely that your modern TV (not a CRT one) doesn’t have RCA inputs anymore. Most contemporary soundbars and smart speakers use HDMI ARC for connectivity, but if your TV lacks HDMI 2.1 support, optical is a hassle-free alternative. The benefit? You won’t lose any HDMI ports in the process.
For enhanced bass performance from these speakers, you can link an external subwoofer of your preference using the Sub connection port. Do keep in mind, though, that since it’s a wired subwoofer, you won’t have the convenience to position it close to your couch as you can with wireless subs often found in soundbars.
Generally speaking, when it comes to the RCA connection, many people associate it with their turntable. However, unlike turntables, these speakers are already powered and come with a built-in preamplifier. This means you can connect them to your audio system regardless of which turntable you’re using. The inconvenience arises when you purchase an upgraded set of speakers without realizing that neither your turntable nor the new speakers have a preamp, potentially causing compatibility issues.
Sound Quality
Though the Ai41 may appear as a typical bookcase speaker at first glance, it won’t take long to understand why Fluance has garnered such a stellar standing within the audio community once you begin playing music through them.
After setting up the new speakers, we decided to test them out by playing Dune as it seemed like an enjoyable reason to do so. Despite not having any advanced digital features such as virtual surround sound, the Ai41 still delivers an impressive, immersive soundstage without adjusting any equalizer settings. The stereo separation also provides decent imaging capabilities, and even without a connected subwoofer, these 5-inch speakers are capable of producing a strong, powerful sound.
Movies and TV
Upon their initial descent onto Arakis, the roar and hiss emanating from the spacecrafts left quite an impression. Despite my living room being rather compact, these speakers have no trouble delivering a robust audio experience that would suit a larger space.
Three hours had passed since we revisited “Dune”, and it was now time for some fun interactions with Ai41. As previously mentioned, if you’re accustomed to gaming while wearing headphones or a gaming headset, I strongly recommend giving speaker-based gaming a try. Although speakers may not provide the same instant feedback and directionality as headphones do, the expansive soundstage offered by the Ai41 makes this minor drawback almost insignificant.
Gaming
In terms of story and single-player games, the audio quality of the Ai41 is tough to surpass, even against top-tier headphones. This is due to the way sounds echo off surrounding walls and objects, creating a more authentic experience as if you’re truly immersed in that world. While there are gaming-oriented speakers like the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro with slightly superior surround sound, the Ai41 delivers remarkable performance for just a stereo pair.
But for those passionate about competitive gaming, headphones or gaming headsets could potentially offer a more responsive experience when it comes to responding to audio signals.
Music
The sound quality while listening to music made Fluance a popular brand, so it makes sense that music is an absolute joy to listen to on the Ai41. Whether you are listening to vinyl or just connecting your phone via Bluetooth, it is easy to lose track of time listening to your favorite music through these speakers. As with gaming, where the wider sound stage is hard to replicate in headphones, the advantage of Fluance’s bookshelf speakers is even more evident when listening to music.
Enjoying a laid-back moment, whether it’s unwinding to an album or multitasking with some tunes during household tasks, these speakers deliver impressive sound quality capable of filling your home with music effortlessly.
Is The Fluance Ai41 Right For You?
While bookshelf speakers are not for everyone, the Fluance Ai41 is worth considering for your audio setup, even if you weren’t looking for bookshelf speakers. However, they might not be the best option if you are looking for a small-footprint audio setup. Even though the Ai41 are relatively small bookshelf speakers, on top of a desk, they do take up a good amount of space. Even on TV consoles they may be too bulky, since you are not able to put them under the TV like a soundbar, meaning you have to make sure you have enough room for these on either side of your TV.
If you’re open to handling a larger size, the Fluance Ai41 speaker system offers exceptional value for its price. You could easily spend double and find speakers with comparable sound quality. The construction of the Ai41 is top-notch, and the wooden exterior complements any decor. Whether you’re an audio enthusiast or new to HiFi audio, the Fluance Ai41 is a great choice due to its user-friendly setup, adjustable EQ settings, and reasonable price that won’t break the bank.
Related Products
| Similar Aesthetic But More Powerful Sound | Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M | Check It Out Here! |
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| Floor Stand Speakers | Fluance Ai81 Elite | Check It Out Here! |
FAQ
Q: Are Fluance bookshelf speakers good?
At a reasonably priced level, Fluance speakers deliver exceptional value for their performance, standing out when compared to other home audio brands offering similar caliber speakers. The Ai41 model is an ideal balance of affordability and premium quality, making it an excellent choice if you’re seeking to enhance your audio setup without breaking the bank.
Q: What is the difference between Ai40 and Ai41?
The primary distinction between Ai40 and Ai41 lies in the Ai41’s advanced design that incorporates ports. Moreover, the Ai41 offers a broader range of connectivity choices compared to the Ai40. These options include RCA analog inputs, an optical digital input, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
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2024-10-01 04:05