Fluance Ai61 Powered 6.5" Stereo Bookshelf Speakers

The media could not be loaded. Well first things first - it's shipped from Canada. So do plan for that. It was delivered to me exactly the 10th day after placing the order. The wait was killing me as I was having second thoughts after placing the order.Relevant context about me: I work from home and listen to lot of music. I just use macbook pros. and for the last 3 years I was using the Bose Companion 2 Series III speakers. They are flawless, but recently I started wanting more.Packaging: Today I received these speakers via UPS. They came in a brown box with styrofoam moldings inside - encasing the speakers. The box was dented on one edge and that gave me such a scare, but upon opening and seeing that the styrofoam had absorbed that damage I was relieved. Speakers are heavy, so make sure you don't accidentally press the woofers when taking it out of the box.Setup: Connected the speaker cable, powered on and connected the RCA inputs to the macbook 3.5mm jack (using a Y-splitter RCA to 3.5mm cable). Played some music and everything worked well. No surprises. Next I tested out the Bluetooth option and all the features worked well. Then I explored the remote and played around with the Treble and Bass controls to adjust to my liking. To be honest, they sound very flat out of the box. So the adjustment on the remote was welcome.Thoughts: One of my BIGGEST concerns for this purchase was the hissing problem with many other speakers on the market and I was so afraid purchasing them online as I didn't know they'd hiss or not. But I am extremely happy to report that there is absolutely 0 hissing in these speakers. They are dead quiet when no music is playing or they are turned to stand by via the remote. Oh what a relief that was! I am really happy. Now, they need a 10-12 hr break-in. So I need more time to give a final verdict. But so far, I think I got what I paid for. Now if it performs well after the break-in period, then that would be the end of this successful project for me. The soundstage feels nice, the highs are clear and I was able to enjoy the songs of my liking. Rock, pop, Electronic, Indian classical, Irish, Sufi everything feels enjoyable. And I feel I can listen to it non-stop - which was one of the requirements for me. (This is one of the reasons I didn't go with the Klipsch Powered Monitors as many people reported them as dry and fatiguing). The primary purpose of this speaker for me was as Computer speakers on my desk (what people call Near Field listening I guess)Subwoofer: I am trying not to add a subwoofer to them, as I live in an apartment and love my elderly neighbors. So far it looks like they won't need a sub by a lot. Talking about a sub - know that if the speaker detects a subwoofer cable connected to it(even if it's not connected to a subwoofer on the other side mind you), then the amp will still cut out the sub-frequencies from the speaker (so if you don't plan on using a sub - make sure you don't plug in the cable as well) - for a much fuller sound. This is mentioned in their quick start guide, but is easy to forget.Build Quality: 5/5 (This was very reassuring. and I am very picky)Sound: 4/5 (I'm no expert, but this is enough for me.)Connectivity: 5/5 (Simple, but enough and everything works.)Standout features: Remote(no doubt.. very very handy and that too IR one - so no need to point), Color (I got the walnut with white face)They are just a great purchase and at this price are simply unmatched.. even overkill. Good luck to anyone buying them. 100% recommend.

This product was well packaged and with no damaged. This is a easy to setup and sounds incredible after the short break in period. Very satisfied!

Very nice speakers for the price. Don’t let the first listen put you off as they need a bit of time to break in. A bit light on bass response, I knew that going in and plan on getting the matching subwoofer soon. Works well with my turntable and Bluetooth connection is easy.

As a installer and in store salesman for Best Buy and have had 2 other Bluetooth 5" brands already, was looking forward to these Ai61 Fluance. Many great reviews, and looking for a wide range active set for a small living room. BOUGHT OPEN BOX PAIR ON AMAZON SITE LINK, BEWARE. The speakers looked new out of box. Used hi-end 12 gauge cables to connect them plugged to monster surge power protector, grabbed some great demo music and settled in to listen. Paired quick with my Samsung a71 5G and was ready. Played for only 5 mins and then Silence. Checked all connections, audio and power, all good, Switched power on speaker on and off. Unpluged power cord, re plugged...Still DEAD.This return from Amazon and OPEN BOX MODEL to Fluance was not tested or Q.C. ed and waited 10 days for this? Had hi hopes and loved the sound at medium volume but DIED while playing Boz Scaggs and that was that. There very heavy so just reboxed them for UPS. I bought these to replace some polks that the cat knocked down, But these were DOA....I recommend as a Audio Salesman for over 20 years, Check all returns for 20 mins on speakers like Best Buy made us do, to not put defective items back out, and disappoint and New Customer like me. Thinking of the Fluance Tower speakers, but now, probably not going to take a change on another return

I have been comparing active bookshelf speakers for a while. These sound a step above the Edifier 1280 and smaller Swans. Sound is more on par with Kanto YU. They are very well made and solid. Sound has good imaging. Bass is punchy and deep. But this is not a bass head speaker for music like rap. For that you might want a additional sub woofer. This speaker has a sub out. For music like Michael Franks, James Taylor, Def Leopard, George Benson. This would be a great choice. I played If I Die You by A Band Called Perry. And it sounded really good. So rock, jazz, vocal that's the sweet spot. I played SK8rboi by Avril Lavigne. The beginning of that song has a extremely low backing bass. Definetly a Sub woofer would have helped there. Also I played Get Low by Flo Rida some Warren G and 50 Cent. Again a sub woofer would add that extra impact. For reference I'm no audiophile. But in the 80's I did have quite the set up JBL L 112 Twin Carver amps NAD pre amp, Dual turntable Revov B77 reel to reel and Nakamichi cassette deck Sansui Se7 graphic equalizer. So I know pretty decent sound when I hear it. I can confidently recommend these speakers for anyone looking for a good value and wanting to avoid a jungle of wires like my 80's set up had

Easy to set up. Awesome some. Great value. Looks really good in my office.