In this review, we will be comparing Ai41 and R-41M, two Bookshelf speakers from Fluance and Klipsch. The main difference between these two speakers is that the Fluance Ai41 is a Powered speaker which means that it has a built-in amplifier inside the speaker body so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp whereas the Klipsch R-41M is a Passive speaker so has to be matched with an amplifier to get any sound from it.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fluance Ai41 and Klipsch R-41M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Fluance Ai41 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 90-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
- 1" Soft Dome Tweeter
- 5" Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Woofer
- 35-20k Hz Frequency Response
- Power Range:up to 90watts
- 16-bit Max Depth / 48 kHz Max Sample Rate
- Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
- Weight:3.37kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 277.0" x 6.5" x 7.6"( 27.7 x 16.5 x 19.3 cm )
Klipsch R-41M Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
- 4" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
- 68-21k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:50watts
- Weight:3.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 287.0" x 5.7" x 7.8"( 287.0 x 146.0 x 200.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Fluance Ai41 and Klipsch R-41M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Ai41 and R-41M are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Fluance Ai41 |
Klipsch R-41M |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
Ai41 features a 1" Silk Neodymium Ferrofluid Cooled Soft Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Woofer . On the other hand, the R-41M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1730Hz.
Frequency Response
Ai41 has a frequency range of 35-20k Hz whereas R-41M has a frequency range of 68-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Ai41 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-41M's min frequency of 68Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Ai41 can handle a max power of 50 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Ai41 has a max power handling value of watts RMS , 50 watts less than the R-41M.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Ai41 and R-41M have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Fluance Ai41's and Klipsch R-41M's external dimensions. Fluance Ai41 has external dimensions of 27.7 x 16.5 x 19.3 cm ( 10.9 x 6.5 x 7.6 inches) whereas Klipsch R-41M has external dimensions of 287.0 x 146.0 x 200.0mm ( 11.2 x 5.7 x 7.8inch) .
Fluance Ai41 is 10mm shorter and 7mm less deeper than Klipsch R-41M but it is also 19mm wider.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Fluance Ai41 is approximately 318.0cm2 / 49.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-41M is approximately 292.0cm2 / 45.3inch2. The Ai41 requires 9% more surface area than the R-41M which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Fluance Ai41?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Ai41:
Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (pair)Remote Control1x CR2032 Battery6ft Power Cable8ft 18 Gauge Speaker WireQuick Start GuideFluance CatalogLifetime Customer Support2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-41M?
Here are the items that come with the R-41M:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Quick Setup Guide Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information