Review Details

Ai60 High Performance Powered 6.5” Bookshelf Speakers

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on March 9, 2019):

Hopefully someone will find this review helpful.Before I start, yes I realize you might think they look large for a computer; they're also used to play while I'm elsewhere in the apartment.TL;DR - Yes. They're worth the $300 and sound great. Lots of sound. Clear. Bass is tight and sufficient. Impressed.WANTED:Been looking around the market for powered monitors for computer speakers.Willing to ultimately pay as high as $600 but looking for what could be had for less.I considered these options:COMPETITORS:1.) Vanatoo Transparent One Encores ($600)If you don't know about Vanatoo, they've only put out two speakers to date and they receive RAVE reviews. Small company. Would love to support them and give them my money.2.) AudioEngine A5+ Wireless ($500)Receiving solid reviews since... 2012? The new wireless version had my eyes because bluetooth.3.) Klipsh R-150PM ($500)Since the R-150PM's are no longer available from Klipsch, I wanted a powered monitor at the lease to avoid any DAC/AMP clutter at my already limited desk power options.DESIRED FEATURES:I prioritized these things:- Powered Monitors to not need an AMP or a DAC- Something with a decent woofer size (5' or +) for bass response- - These are in a sealed enclosure which is even more favorable to being mounted close to the wall- Higher Quality (wasn't looking to Logitech..)- Reputation, since I wouldn't be able to listen to them in person- Computer use, but plays loud enough without distorting so I can also wash dishes, clean, cartwheel while jamming.- Blueteeth (These use AptX codex I believe)I stumbled across the Fluance Ai60's thanks largely in part to Joe at Joe N Tell on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiifhxOzdk4&t=299sHis review referred to these as a 'Soundbar Annihilator'Although I wasn't looking for a soundbar the design caught my eye and I clicked.(Please, speaker makers, please make more white speakers. Also please check out Joe, his channel is awesome because he's passionate and does good work). The walnut/white combo and the glowing review from Joe, who does excellent and extensive work reviewing products, put them on my radar.Flash forward 72 hours and I pulled the trigger on the Ai60's (sorry Vanatoo, I really wanted to give you guys my cash.. but just trying to keep a budget for once). A LOT, not some, but A LOT of reviews for their smaller brothers the Ai40's called them 'The best speakers you can buy for $200'. Big boys, like Steve Guttenberg, Zeos Pantera, etc. gave them strong, unpaid recommendations. I decided to be one of the first to see how the Ai60's could punch in comparison to players $200-$300 above their weight-class.It's been about a week of tweaking, adjusting the speakers, seating, but I'm very impressed.SOUND:I let them 'burn in' for about a day of play time at medium volume.Played a number of tracks; 'Phil Collins - In the Air tonight', 'Seal - Dreaming in Metaphors ', ' Joe Jackson - Stepping Out', 'Temple of the Dog - Hunger Strike', 'Sting - Desert Rose'. 'Saosin - Follow and Feel', 'Led Zeppelin - Ramble On'.It was the time of my life. An hour of just playing and enjoying music. Wow, Phil Collins.. I hadn't done that in a long time.They sound very clean. I played more music as I'm walking through my apartment and in other rooms, and the quality sound held. Good mid-range clarity. Bass was heard. Vocals were clear. They sounded very good for being a room or two away.I find it humorous when people leave nasty comments on YouTube sound tests: 'What's the point?' 'They sound the same as my speakers, how can you possibly tell?'. Watch some bad ones and you'll at least know what bad speakers sound like. The instruments blend together, it sounds murky almost as if it were playing under water. The Fluance Ai60's are clear. I can hear guitar strings being strummed, vocals are clear, symbols crash without blending into other highs, bass and frequency response (down to 35hz!) is low, tight, and can be heard resonating through the rest of my apartment if desired. It will not hit you in the chest like big stuff at a concert.I would think it's very sufficient for most (I myself though will be getting a small sub for my own tastes).FINAL NOTES:I think my father said it best today when he came by and saw them/heard them for the first time.He said two things:1.) 'Wow. Those look great'When I offered to play them with a little Temple of the Dog..2.) 'Is there a sub? No? You don't even need a sub'.Thank you Fluance. I'm really thankful for you guys offering a solid quality product at the price range you do. I would absolutely consider purchasing more speakers from you guys in the future. I've provided a few other glowing recommendations on Reddit.If YOU are in the market for some good powered computer speakers, which aren't your run of the mill Logitech's or would out-perform a typical 2.0 set-up, consider these. They look absolutely incredible.. (White & Walnut? Pfffft C'mon!) but they also sound great.Thank you for attending my TED Talk on the Fluance Ai60's.