Fluance Ai41 Review: Active Bookshelf Speakers with Powerful Sound

Experience exceptional audio with Fluance Ai41 active bookshelf speakers, delivering deep bass and versatile connectivity for your desk or entertainment setup.

Fluance Ai41: A Quick Overview

When it comes to enjoying music for hours on end, a solid pair of bookshelf speakers like the Fluance Ai41 can make all the difference. These speakers shine brightest when you're close by, delivering rich, detailed sound perfect for desktop listening sessions. Thanks to an array of connectivity options, they’re also great for enhancing your TV or computer audio during movies or gaming.

While they excel in near-field listening, they might not be the best fit if you're building a full home theater system—there are better options tailored for that. On the flip side, if you're hunting for some of the very best computer speakers, the Ai41 comes pretty close, though it does miss having a USB input, which is a small drawback.

Still, Fluance Ai41 packs a punch with its impressive bass range and multiple input choices, offering fantastic value for the price. Keep reading to see if these active bookshelf speakers might be the perfect match for your audio needs.

Fluance Ai41: Price and Availability

• Price: $249
• Release: Available since summer 2021

At $249, the Fluance Ai41 comfortably settles into the mid-range market. Released in summer 2021, these speakers offer an excellent balance between performance and price, especially considering their versatile connectivity and included remote control.

By way of comparison, Audioengine A2+ models are a bit pricier and have less bass and power, but they do feature a USB port, which adds convenience for computer users. On the other hand, budget options like the Edifier R1280dB come in nearly $100 cheaper and deliver surprising power for their cost, though their sound isn’t quite as full-bodied or bass-rich.

• Value for money rating: 4/5

Fluance Ai41: Design Highlights

• Lots of connectivity options
• Missing USB/USB-C input

Bookshelf speakers often sport a similar look, and the Fluance Ai41 is no exception. They feature the traditional rectangular shape with a two-way design and moderate dimensions (27.7 x 16.5 x 19.3 cm). These are noticeably larger than most computer speakers, which typically use smaller drivers.

Inside, you’ll find a 1-inch silk dome tweeter paired with a 5-inch fiberglass composite woofer. For context, the Audioengine A2+ speakers come with 2.75-inch woofers and 0.75-inch tweeters, while popular models like the Logitech Z407 have a single driver per speaker. The Ai41’s larger size demands more desk space but rewards you with richer, deeper sound compared to many competitors.

One notable design choice is the lack of protective grilles over the drivers. While we appreciate the clean look this provides, it leaves the speakers more vulnerable to accidental knocks or dust. The Ai41 comes in four color finishes: Black Ash, Natural Walnut, White Walnut, and a light "Happy Bamboo" wood tone, offering some style options to suit your space.

The right speaker houses the amplifier, so you can plug in any source without needing an external receiver. Volume control is conveniently located on the lower right front, doubling as the input selector with a short press and a power button with a long press. The rear panel includes tone controls for treble and bass, alongside all the input connections: optical, RCA, subwoofer output, and a Bluetooth reset button. The subwoofer output is intelligently crossed over at 80 Hz, ensuring balanced bass without overwhelming the system.

Both speakers also have rear-facing bass ports to enhance low-frequency response, delivering that satisfying depth most bookshelf speakers strive for.

Connectivity is flexible, featuring an optical input ideal for modern TVs and high-end PCs, an RCA analog input for vinyl or other devices (you'll need an RCA-to-3.5mm cable), plus Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless streaming. Although multi-point Bluetooth isn't officially supported, we successfully connected two devices simultaneously and switched between them seamlessly, whether via Bluetooth or a combination of analog and Bluetooth.

However, the lack of USB or USB-C can be limiting. Testing these with an Alienware laptop that lacks optical out meant relying on either analog or Bluetooth connections. Interestingly, Bluetooth sounded slightly better than analog, despite a bit of delay.

The included remote, powered by two AAA batteries, lets you toggle inputs, adjust volume, tweak tone controls, and mute the LED power indicator. When using Bluetooth, it even offers playback controls like pause, rewind, and fast-forward.

• Design rating: 4/5

Fluance Ai41: Performance and Sound Quality

• Pleasant, slightly bright sound with rich bass
• Some limitations for TV and gaming use

Volume-wise, the Ai41 has plenty of headroom for personal use or desktop setups—you probably won’t max them out sitting just a couple of feet away. But for home theater scenarios, you might find the max volume a tad low for a full cinematic blast. You’ll hear everything crystal clear, but it won’t shake the room.

Why? Well, the bass-reflex design trades a bit of loudness for enhanced low-end depth. And speaking of bass—this is where the Ai41 shines for a 2.0 system. It’s not earth-shaking, but it’s impressively deep, especially without a subwoofer. Watching "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," for example, the sub-bass punches during ring blasts and energy explosions were distinct and immersive.

Midrange frequencies are well balanced, with a slight lift in the upper mids that adds richness and brightness without harshness. High frequencies are crisp and detailed but never fatiguing. Vocals come through with a bit more presence than usual, giving music a touch of extra expression.

Using the RCA analog input brings a slightly different flavor: the sound feels a bit more muffled and less precise, with the upper midrange somewhat compressed. While this analog warmth suits many music genres, the digital connections deliver cleaner, more detailed sound.

Adjusting bass and treble creates subtle tonal shifts—the speakers maintain their character whether you dial up or down, just getting a bit brighter or darker, bass heavier or lighter.

The soundstage is quite expansive for the size. It’s easy to pinpoint instruments moving left to right, especially when placed close on a desk. This spatial awareness enhances gaming immersion, though at distances over two meters, like sitting on a couch watching TV, the positional cues become less distinct.

Bluetooth latency is minor—enough to be noticeable if you pay close attention, but generally not distracting when streaming shows.

• Sound quality rating: 4/5

Alternative Options to Consider

SteelSeries Arena 9

If you're a gamer craving full surround sound immersion, SteelSeries Arena 9 delivers a 5.1 setup including a subwoofer and rear speakers. It’s roughly twice the price of the Ai41 but offers a much more enveloping experience.

Logitech Z407

While the Ai41 edges out the Logitech Z407 in sound richness, Logitech’s 2.1 system is a great desk-friendly option with USB connectivity and space-saving design.

Razer Leviathan V2

Razer’s Leviathan V2 doesn’t match the Ai41’s stereo depth but provides spatial audio in a small footprint, thanks to its included subwoofer delivering solid bass.

Final Ratings for Fluance Ai41

How We Test

We pride ourselves on independent, thorough testing with a long-term view. Our reviews stay fresh and relevant, ensuring that if a product is still on the market, it stays on our radar.

Fluance Ai41 are excellent speakers if you’re not trying to fill a home theater or a large room.

FAQ

• What makes Fluance Ai41 suitable for desktop use? They deliver detailed near-field sound with deep bass and multiple connectivity options ideal for close listening.
• Do these speakers support USB input? No, Fluance Ai41 lacks USB or USB-C ports, which may limit direct digital connections with some computers.
• Can Fluance Ai41 be used for home theater setups? They are better suited for small to medium rooms and near-field listening but not ideal for full home theater surround sound.
• Is Bluetooth connectivity reliable on these speakers? Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 is easy to set up, supports simultaneous connections to two devices, but has minor latency during video playback.
• Are remote controls included with Fluance Ai41? Yes, the speakers come with a remote that controls volume, input selection, tone adjustments, and Bluetooth playback commands.

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