Different kinds of product: one is active with its amplifier built in, the other passive and needs one. Judge them on how you want to own the system, not just the specs.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Fluance Ai81 digs deeper - 30Hz against 37Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| What you buy | depends | Fluance Ai81 is a complete system - just add a source. Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ also needs an amplifier: more money and another box, but you choose it. |
| Connections | depends | Fluance Ai81 has Bluetooth built in. With Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ that all comes from the amplifier you pair it with. |
| Upgrade path | depends | Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ can be re-amped later and outlive several amplifiers; Fluance Ai81 ages as one unit. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Fluance Ai81: a sub output; Emotiva Airmotiv T1+: bi-amping. Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Fluance Ai81 is cheaper - $499 against $799, about 38% less; arguably a different class. And that is the whole system. |
A Fluance Ai81 B Emotiva Airmotiv T1+
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Fluance Ai81 suits you if you want one box, ready to play, with nothing else to buy. Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ suits you if you already have an amplifier, want to choose the electronics, or expect to upgrade in stages. Neither is the better speaker in the abstract. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 37Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $300 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.