Over the years, the Canadian producer Fluance has made a name for itself in the world of budget-friendly audio systems, with a series of carefully-designed speakers aimed at making hi-fidelity fun and accessible to anyone.
As part of their Signature series, their HiFi bookshelf speakers aim to provide an immersive sound texture to anyone who wants to upgrade their audio system for just $200.
With a pristine top end and a wide soundstage, the Fluance Signature HiFi is definitely a contender for the best speakers under $200, but is it the best one? In this review, we’ll look into this affordable speaker and see if it’s the right one for you.
Final verdict
The sound imaging of the Fluance Signature HiFi is wide, immersive, and cohesive, making it an excellent choice for those who need speakers for music and video. The highs are clear, detailed, and bright without tiring the ears, which is a good plus if you listen to music uninterruptedly for hours.
Now, to the downside. The low-end is decent but nothing exceptional, and while that’s nothing surprising in a bookshelf speaker, given its size, I was expecting a bit more punch on the low end.
Midrange frequencies lack the detailed imaging and depth I expect from deep listening sessions, but it’s definitely good enough if you want to listen to music for hours without tiring your ears or feeling overwhelmed.
All in all, the Signature HiFi bookshelf speakers offer a smooth and pleasant experience that will satisfy the needs of beginner audiophiles. However, I believe there are a couple of options within the same price range that offer superior performance.
What I like
- Wide soundstage.
- Excellent top end.
- Minimal yet beautiful design.
- Great price.
What I don’t like
- The low end lacks detail.
- The midrange lacks clarity.
Why you should trust me
I am an audiophile and audio engineer with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. When testing speakers, I’m interested in clarity and neutrality, first and foremost, but I also want the sound to be enjoyable and engaging.
When I use my hi-fi equipment for deep-listening sessions, I pay attention to the quality of frequency response across the spectrum, and when it comes to bookshelf speakers, it’s crucial they can perfectly reproduce whichever music I throw at them.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
You can also check the comparison section where I put the Fluance Signature HiFi bookshelf speakers against the competition.
Build quality 4.5
The Fluance Signature HiFi feels solid and robust, giving a sense of stability and durability. It’s built using high-density fibreboard (HDF) cabinets, an excellent material when it comes to mitigating resonances and enhancing the speaker’s performance.
The cabinets are finished with a wood veneer, which gives the Signature HiFi an elegant look that’ll suit every environment while enriching the overall sound texture.
Design 5.0
Looking at the Fluance Signature HiFi, I can’t help but think of the KRK studio monitors: the black and gold effect reminds me of those iconic speakers, which enhance the beauty of these bookshelf speakers and make them stand out in any environment.
The clean, minimal design feels timeless and distinctive, ideal for music enthusiasts who want to have speakers that sound and look great. A nice touch is a Canadian flag placed at the back of the speaker, enriching this beautiful product with a charming human touch.
Worth noticing is that the Fluance Signature HiFi is large compared to many bookshelf speakers: 12.8 x 7.87 x 8.22 inches (32.5 x 20.0 x 20.9 cm), and it weighs 9.7 pounds (4.4 kg). It’s not a downside in itself, but something you should consider if space in your listening room is an issue.
Compatibility 4.5
First off, the Signature HiFi is not wireless, although other bookshelf speakers from Fluance do offer this option. That said, this bookshelf speaker can easily fit into a listening room or home theater thanks to the abundant connectivity and customization options.
The speaker comes with two standard binding posts on the rear, which you can use to connect banana plugs or a speaker wire. Above the binding spots, you’ll find mounting brackets to hang the speaker on the wall.
Regardless of how you decide to place it, the Signature HiFi looks impressive and eye-catching.
Sound 4.0
One thing that stands out when listening to music coming from the Signature HiFi is the clarity of high frequencies. The neodymium tweeters do an excellent job at reproducing the vibrancy and energy of the top end, bringing to life a beautiful and cohesive soundscape that’ll immerse the listener in sonic details.
In particular, I’d recommend the Signature HiFi to classical music enthusiasts, who’ll be able to experience performances enriched by the expansive soundstage and carefully-crafted imaging.
I was expecting more from the 5-inch woofer: with a frequency response of 60 Hz on the low end, you can sense the lack of detail on the bass, which is somehow emphasized by the rich highs mentioned earlier.
While it’s common for bookshelf speakers to underperform on the low end, it seems to me that the imbalance between the high and low end on the Signature HiFi has an impact on the midrange as well, causing it to lose depth and clarity, which is a real shame.
There was a time when complaining about speakers that cost less than $500 wouldn’t make any sense: you got what you paid for, and that was the end of it. Yet nowadays, we have plenty of ultra-affordable speakers to choose from that sound good, are inexpensive, and have a distinctive sound signature, so it’s worth delving deeper into it.
While the Fluance Signature HiFi does sound really well for its price, the clarity and detailed imaging of the Sony SS-CS5 and the Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2, for instance, feel superior.
Compared to other bookshelf speakers
With its Signature HiFi bookshelf speakers, Fluance offers a great option for those looking to spend around $200 for a new pair of speakers. But here are a few others that are worth considering.
Signature HiFi vs Reference
Slightly more affordable than the Signature HiFi, the Reference bookshelf speakers are a great option for the music listener on a budget or someone looking to build their first home theater.
While they can provide a rich sound experience, the level of detail and accuracy of the Signature series is, all things considered, superior. Furthermore, the glossy front panel and black and gold design of the Signature series give the speakers a more luxurious effect.
See Fluance Reference speakers’ current price
Signature HiFi vs Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
The Elac B5.2 is one of the most well-known and beloved bookshelf speakers in the world, and for all the right reasons: the speaker offers impressive neutrality, creating a detailed and natural sonic texture that audiophiles and audio engineers alike can enjoy.
Ultimately, it all comes down to taste, but to me, the sound coming out of an Elac B5.2 feels more natural and immersive than the Fluance Signature HiFi.
Read the full Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 review
Signature HiFi vs Klipsch R-51M
Here’s another excellent option for the audiophile on a budget. The R-51M offers detailed sound imaging, but it’s also vibrant and punchy, making it a perfect choice for those looking for an engaging listening experience.
Like the Signature HiFi, lower frequencies lack clarity and depth, but ultimately, both bookshelf speakers offer great performance for their price. To me, it’s a draw.
See Klipsch R-51M’s current price
Who are the Fluance Signature HiFi bookshelf speakers best suited for?
The Fluance Signature HiFi is a great bookshelf speaker for just $200 a pair, offering excellent sound imaging and detailed sound texture.
It’s a valid option for those looking to build their home theater or beginner audiophiles who want to experience high-quality audio without spending a fortune.
