In this review, we will be comparing Ri71 and R-51PM, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Fluance and Klipsch. 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 Ri71 and Klipsch R-51PM first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fluance Ri71 | Klipsch R-51PM |
|---|
| Brand | Fluance
Canada · founded 1999 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 120-watt RMS | 120-watt RMS (240-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" AMT | 1.0" Tractrix Horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Glass fibre | 5.25" Copper-spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-30k Hz | 68-21k Hz |
|---|
| Power range | up to 120 watts | — |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | Built-in 3.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 6.40kg / 14.1lbs | 4.80kg / 10.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-3/16" x 7-5/16" x 7-13/16"
310.0 x 185.0 x 199.0mm | 13" x 7.0625" x 10.25"
330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Ri71 and R-51PM are 2-way speakers.
Fluance Ri71Klipsch R-51PM
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 Ri71 |
Klipsch R-51PM |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Ri71 features a 1.1" Air Motion Transformer AMT Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Glass fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the R-51PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1663Hz.
Frequency Response
Ri71 has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz whereas R-51PM has a frequency range of 68-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Ri71 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-51PM's min frequency of 68Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Ri71 has a front firing port whereas R-51PM has a rear firing ports. Fluance Ri71's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Klipsch R-51PM 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 Ri71's and Klipsch R-51PM's external dimensions. Fluance Ri71 has external dimensions of 310.0 x 185.0 x 199.0mm (12-3/16 x 7-5/16 x 7-13/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-51PM has external dimensions of 330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm (13 x 7.0625 x 10.25inch).
Fluance Ri71 is 20.2mm shorter and 61.3mm less deeper than Klipsch R-51PM but it is also 5.6mm wider.
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.
Klipsch R-51PM needs about 27% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-51PM is 61mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-51PM is 20mm 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 Ri71 is approximately 368.2cm2 / 57.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-51PM is approximately 467.0cm2 / 72.4inch2. The Ri71 requires 21% less surface area than the R-51PM which gives it a small advantage 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 Ri71 weighs 6.40kg / 14.1lbs and the Klipsch R-51PM weighs 4.80kg / 10.6lbs. This makes the Ri71 33% heavier than the R-51PM.
Here is a comparison of how Ri71 and R-51PM's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-51PM?
Here are the items that come with the R-51PM:
- Powered speaker (right)
- Passive speaker (left)
- 2 Grilles
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2
 Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
68 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
310mm
vs
330mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
368cm2
vs
467cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 Digital Input |
Optical
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
| General |
Fluance Ri71 |
Klipsch Reference R-51PM |
| Brand |
Fluance |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
46-30k Hz |
68-21k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
240-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Glass fibre |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.0" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT |
Tractrix Horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
1663Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
310.0mm (12.2") |
330.2mm (13") |
| Width |
185.0mm (7.3") |
179.4mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
199.0mm (7.8") |
260.3mm (10.2") |
| Weight |
6.40kg (14.1lbs) |
4.80kg (10.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
n/a |
USB-B |
| Phone Input |
No |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
ARC |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
n/a |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
A generation apart: Fluance Ri71 is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Fluance Ri71 digs deeper - 46Hz against 68Hz. |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (120W vs 120W RMS). |
| Connections | B | Fluance Ri71 adds HDMI; Klipsch R-51PM adds phono and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Fluance Ri71 is easier to place; Klipsch R-51PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Fluance Ri71: a sub output; Klipsch R-51PM: a sub output. |
| Price | A | Fluance Ri71 is cheaper - $500 against $599, about 17% less. |
A Fluance Ri71 B Klipsch R-51PM
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 68Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
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.