Fluance Ri71 Review (2026): A Real Step Up From Soundbars?

If your TV sounds thin and you want better audio without a rack of separate components, the Fluance Ri71 is the kind of product you end up looking at. This Fluance Ri71 review covers a powered bookshelf pair with the amplifier built in, so you don't need an AV receiver. It connects to a TV over HDMI ARC, to a phone over Bluetooth, and to other gear over RCA. It suits TV and music listeners who want a simple upgrade from a soundbar.

This review is based on Fluance's published specifications and on what independent expert reviewers report. It is not hands-on testing. It sits in the mid-range part of the market and has been recommended in 3 expert buying guides.

What the Fluance Ri71 is

The Ri71 is a 2-way powered bookshelf pair. One speaker is active, with the amplification inside, and the other is passive. The amplifier is Class D, rated at 120 Watts continuous average (2x 60 watts RMS). You place them either side of a TV or on a desk, and you don't need a separate amp.

Expert reviewers rate it well. It averages 8.7/10 across 3 expert reviews. TechRadar gives it 4.5 out of 5, Trusted Reviews gives it 4 out of 5, and Audioholics gives it 4.5 out of 5. Those scores point to a speaker that does the basics well, but the criticisms below show where it stops short.

Design and build

The cabinets are MDF with curved sides and front-firing ports. Fluance offers three finishes: Black Ash, White Ash and Walnut. That gives you some choice if you want the pair to blend in with a media unit or stand out as furniture.

Each speaker measures 12.2 x 7.3 x 7.8 inches (H x W x D). That is compact enough for a desk or a TV stand without dominating the room. The active speaker weighs 14.11 lb (6.4 kg) and the passive one weighs 11.02 lb (5 kg). The active speaker is heavier than the passive one. A common criticism from reviewers is that speaker grilles aren't included. If you want a cleaner look, or you have pets or children, that is something to bear in mind.

The warranty is a 2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty.

Drivers and sound design

The Ri71 uses a 28x35mm (1.1 x 1.3 inch) AMT tweeter paired with a 5.25 inch woven glass fiber composite woofer. Fluance says the AMT tweeters give airy, detailed highs, and the glass-fiber woofers a clear midrange and tight bass. The crossover frequency is 2700 Hz, asymmetrical 12 dB/Oct. That is where the sound hands over from the woofer to the tweeter.

Fluance quotes a frequency response of 46 Hz - 30 kHz (DSP enhanced). The "DSP enhanced" note matters. It is a reminder that a bookshelf speaker with a 5.25 inch woofer has limits.

Reviewers are consistent about the character of the sound. They praise the airy, detailed highs and a balanced, fairly neutral tonality, and they describe a wide, immersive stereo soundstage that beats most soundbars.

Connectivity and day-to-day use

The inputs are RCA L/R, Bluetooth and HDMI ARC. That is a short list, and reviewers note there are no optical, USB or Wi-Fi inputs.

HDMI ARC for TV audio

HDMI ARC is the headline feature for anyone replacing a soundbar. Reviewers describe the TV hookup as plug-and-play. A common criticism is that HDMI ARC can be picky with some TVs. If your TV's ARC port is temperamental, you may need to check settings. Because there is no optical input to fall back on, you have no easy plan B.

Bluetooth with aptX HD

Bluetooth is version 5.0 and supports aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, SBC and AAC. In plain terms, a phone or laptop that supports aptX HD can send higher-quality audio to the speakers. aptX Low Latency is useful for keeping sound in sync with video on devices that support it. Reviewers highlight aptX HD as a plus for wireless quality.

RCA and turntables

The RCA input lets you connect a turntable, but there is a catch. The Ri71 has no phono preamp, so a turntable needs an external phono preamp. If your turntable has a built-in preamp, or you already own one, the RCA input is straightforward. If not, you have an extra box to buy and find space for.

Remote and tone controls

The included remote has bass and treble adjustment.

What's missing

Reviewers note that the Ri71 has no optical, USB or Wi-Fi inputs. There is no network streaming built in, and no digital connection other than HDMI ARC and Bluetooth. If your TV or source only offers optical output, or you want Wi-Fi streaming, this isn't the right pair.

Bass and the subwoofer output

A common criticism is that bass is limited without a subwoofer. That is understandable for speakers with 5.25 inch woofers, and the DSP-enhanced 46 Hz low end figure shows where the design stops. The Ri71 does give you a way out: it has a subwoofer output with an 80 Hz low-pass cutoff. Adding a subwoofer later is an option if you want more weight for films, since the Ri71 has a subwoofer output.

If you rarely watch action films at volume and mainly want clearer dialogue and better music, the speakers on their own may be enough. If you expect floor-shaking low end from the box, you should plan for a subwoofer, or look at something else.

What experts like and what they criticise

Reviewers praise:

• Airy, detailed highs from the AMT tweeters.
• A balanced, fairly neutral tonality.
• A wide, immersive stereo soundstage that beats most soundbars.
• Plug-and-play TV hookup through HDMI ARC.
• Better wireless quality through Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD.

Common criticisms are:

• Bass is limited without a subwoofer.
• There are no optical, USB or Wi-Fi inputs.
• HDMI ARC can be picky with some TVs.
• No speaker grilles are included.

The praise is mostly about sound quality and ease of setup. The complaints are about connectivity and low-end weight. That is a fair trade for a mid-range pair, provided the missing inputs don't matter to you.

Who should buy the Fluance Ri71

The Ri71 makes sense if you:

• Want a clear step up from a soundbar for TV and music.
• Have a TV with a working HDMI ARC port.
• Like the idea of a neutral, detailed sound rather than a heavily boosted one.
• Want Bluetooth with aptX HD for streaming from a compatible phone or laptop.
• Might add a subwoofer later and want the output ready.

Who should skip it

Look elsewhere if you:

• Need optical, USB or Wi-Fi inputs.
• Want deep bass straight out of the box with no subwoofer.
• Have a TV whose HDMI ARC port is unreliable and no other way to connect.
• Want to play vinyl but don't want to buy a separate phono preamp.
• Prefer speaker grilles for a cleaner look or for protection.

How it fits in its category

Powered bookshelf speakers sit between soundbars and a full receiver-and-speakers setup. The Ri71 is a simple version of that idea: the amplifier is built in, HDMI ARC takes care of the TV connection, and Bluetooth covers wireless music. The compromise is a short input list. Buyers who want more flexibility in connections or streaming should check each model's inputs before choosing. Buyers who just want better sound with little fuss will find this pair's simplicity a strength.

Verdict

The Fluance Ri71 is a well-built, easy-to-live-with pair for people who want better sound from their TV and phone without building a full hi-fi system. Reviewers like its detailed highs, balanced tone and wide soundstage, and its HDMI ARC and aptX HD Bluetooth make setup simple. The limits are clear too: bass is modest without a subwoofer, there is no optical, USB or Wi-Fi input, and a turntable needs an external phono preamp. If those points fit your setup, it is a strong choice. If not, check the connections before you buy.

Related buying guides

• Edifier R1280DB Review (2026): Warm Sound, Many Inputs
• Edifier R1700BTs Review (2026): Clear Mids, Light Bass
• Denon PMA-1700NE Review (2026): Power Without Streaming
• Klipsch R-51PM Review (2026): Lively Sound, Many Inputs
• Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW Review: Wired or Wireless