In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Fluance. Fluance HFC is a Center Channel speaker whereas the HFS is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fluance HFC and Fluance HFS first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fluance HFC | Fluance HFS |
|---|
| Brand | Fluance
Canada · founded 1999 | Fluance
Canada · founded 1999 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5" Glass fibre | 5" Glass fibre |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-20k Hz | 60-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.39kg / 16.3lbs | 4.40kg / 9.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-5/16" x 18-7/8" x 10-9/16"
185.0 x 480.0 x 269.0mm | 12-13/16" x 7-7/8" x 8-1/4"
325.0 x 200.0 x 209.0mm |
|---|
HFC and HFS are members of Fluance's Signature series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the Fluance HFC and Fluance HFS speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Fluance HFC |
Fluance HFS |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
No way |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both HFC and HFS are 2-way speakers.
Fluance HFCFluance HFS
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Fluance HFC |
Fluance HFS |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
HFC features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Glass fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz. On the other hand, the HFS features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Glass fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz.
Frequency Response
HFC and HFS has exactly the same frequency range of 60-20k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
HFC and HFS have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. HFC sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the HFS's is at 85 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Fluance HFC a more sensitive speaker compared to Fluance HFS, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 120 watts RMS, though HFC is rated 40-120 watts and HFS 30-120 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
HFC features Binding post type posts and HFS has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
HFC has a rear firing port whereas HFS has a front firing ports. Fluance HFS's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Fluance HFC with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 HFC's and Fluance HFS's external dimensions. Fluance HFC has external dimensions of 185.0 x 480.0 x 269.0mm (7-5/16 x 18-7/8 x 10-9/16inch) whereas Fluance HFS has external dimensions of 325.0 x 200.0 x 209.0mm (12-13/16 x 7-7/8 x 8-1/4inch).
Fluance HFS is 280mm narrower and 60mm less deeper than Fluance HFC but it is also 140mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Fluance HFC needs about 209% more floor or shelf area. Fluance HFC is 60mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Fluance HFS is 140mm taller.
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 HFC is approximately 1291.2cm2 / 200.1inch2 and base area of the Fluance HFS is approximately 418.0cm2 / 64.8inch2. The HFC requires 209% more surface area than the HFS which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.