In this review, we will be comparing Ai61 and A1-MR, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Fluance and Audioengine. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fluance Ai61 and Audioengine A1-MR first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Fluance Ai61 and Audioengine A1-MR 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 Ai61 and A1-MR are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Fluance Ai61 |
Audioengine A1-MR |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
Ai61 features a 1" Silk Neodymium Ferrofluid Cooled Soft Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven, Glass Fiber Composite Woofer . On the other hand, the A1-MR features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Aramid Fiber Woofer .
Frequency Response
Ai61 has a frequency range of 32-20k Hz whereas A1-MR has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the Ai61 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A1-MR's min frequency of 65Hz.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Ai61 has a rear firing port whereas A1-MR has a front firing ports. Audioengine A1-MR's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Fluance Ai61 with its rear-firing port.
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 Ai61's and Audioengine A1-MR's external dimensions. Fluance Ai61 has external dimensions of 33.3 x 19.8 x 23.4 cm ( 13.1 x 7.8 x 9.2 inches) whereas Audioengine A1-MR has external dimensions of 158.8 x 106.4 x 181.0mm ( 6.25 x 4.1875 x 7.125inch) .
Fluance Ai61 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 91.6mm wider, 174.2mm taller and 53mm deeper than Audioengine A1-MR.
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 Ai61 is approximately 463.0cm2 / 71.8inch2 and base area of the Audioengine A1-MR is approximately 192.6cm2 / 29.9inch2. The Ai61 requires 140% more surface area than the A1-MR which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Fluance Ai61 weighs 5.96kg / 13.1lbs and the Audioengine A1-MR weighs 1.10kg / 2.4lbs. This makes the Ai61 442% heavier than the A1-MR.
Here is a comparison of how Ai61 and A1-MR's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Fluance Ai61?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Ai61:
Ai61 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 Audioengine A1-MR?
Here are the items that come with the A1-MR:
Wireless powered left speakerPassive right speaker6-feet AC power cord6.5-feet Length of 18 gauge speaker wire6.5-feet Stereo minijack-to-RCA cable6-feet Stereo minijack cableQuick Start GuideAudioengine product brochure
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
USB Port |
USB-C
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
App-Based Control |
iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
Height |
158mm
vs
333mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
192cm2 (106x181mm)
vs
463cm2 (198x234mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
General |
Fluance Ai61 |
Audioengine A1-MR |
Brand |
Fluance |
Audioengine |
Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Frequency Response |
32-20k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
Max Bit Depth |
16-bit |
16-bit |
Max Sample Rate |
48 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
2.75" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven, Glass Fiber Composite |
Aramid Fiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft Dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
333.0mm (13.1") |
158.8mm (6.3") |
Width |
198.0mm (7.8") |
106.4mm (4.2") |
Depth |
234.0mm (9.2") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Weight |
5.96kg (13.1lbs) |
1.10kg (2.4lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF wood |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Black Ash,Lucky Bamboo,White Walnut, Natural Walnut |
n/a |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm |
USB Port |
USB-C |
No |
Phone Input |
No |
No |
Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
Digital Input |
Optical |
No |
HDMI Input |
No |
No |
Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |