In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Fluance. Fluance XL8C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the XL8S is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fluance XL8C and Fluance XL8S first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fluance XL8C | Fluance XL8S |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" Glass fibre | 5.25" Glass fibre |
|---|
| Frequency response | 110-20k Hz | 50-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-100 watts | 40-80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 5.15kg / 11.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-7/8" x 9" x 18-1/2"
175.0 x 229.0 x 470.0mm | 11-7/16" x 8-1/8" x 9"
290.0 x 206.0 x 229.0mm |
|---|
XL8C and XL8S are members of Fluance's Reference series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the Fluance XL8C and Fluance XL8S 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 XL8C |
Fluance XL8S |
| 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both XL8C and XL8S are 2-way speakers.
Fluance XL8CFluance XL8S
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 XL8C |
Fluance XL8S |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
XL8C features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Glass fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the XL8S features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Glass fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz.
Frequency Response
XL8C has a frequency range of 110-20k Hz whereas XL8S has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the XL8S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the XL8C's min frequency of 110Hz.
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
XL8C and XL8S have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. XL8C sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the XL8S's is at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Fluance XL8C a more sensitive speaker compared to Fluance XL8S, 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.
XL8C can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas XL8S has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the XL8C.
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
XL8C features Binding post type posts and XL8S has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 XL8C's and Fluance XL8S's external dimensions. Fluance XL8C has external dimensions of 175.0 x 229.0 x 470.0mm (6-7/8 x 9 x 18-1/2inch) whereas Fluance XL8S has external dimensions of 290.0 x 206.0 x 229.0mm (11-7/16 x 8-1/8 x 9inch).
Fluance XL8S is 23mm narrower and 241mm less deeper than Fluance XL8C but it is also 115mm 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 XL8C is approximately 1076.3cm2 / 166.8inch2 and base area of the Fluance XL8S is approximately 471.7cm2 / 73.1inch2. The XL8C requires 128% more surface area than the XL8S which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.