The Fluance Fi70 is one of the biggest Bluetooth speakers we’ve seen. Measuring in at nearly two-and-a-half-feet wide, nearly a foot thick, and three-feet high (two-feet high without its optional stand), Fluance is targeting the audiophile set with its $500 powered speaker.
The Fi70 boasts six speakers in all: two 8.0-inch polymer-treated woofers, two 5.0-inch woven-glass fiber midranges, and two 1.0-inch silk-dome tweeters. An integrated amplifier drives two channels at 140 watts each (280 watts continuous average output, a spec Fluance says is equivalent to the more familiar RMS measurement).
Owners can either set the speaker on top of a table or on the floor using the optional 12-inch stand. While the main feature of the Fi70 is its Bluetooth connectivity, Fluance also includes a digital AM/FM radio (with a connection for an external antenna), a 3.5-inch auxiliary input, and a USB input to charge electronic devices.
Why this matters: Most Bluetooth speakers are designed for portability and are sized accordingly. We evaluated three larger models from JBL, Jawbone, and Creative a few months back. Many larger powered speakers, including Naim Audio’s Mu-so and Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin Wireless, include Bluetooth support, but their primary protocols are multi-room solutions, such as Apple’s AirPlay (or in the case of Sonos speakers), its own mesh-network protocol.
Fluance’s Fi70 could be the biggest Bluetooth-only speaker we’ve seen.
FluanceFluance also offers two smaller—and considerably less-expensive—Bluetooth speakers in this line: The $150 Fi30 incorporates a pair of 3.0-inch woven-glass fiber drivers, but its low-end frequency response is just 65Hz; the $200 Fi50 adds a pair of tweeters and a digital display. All three models feature wooden enclosures in your choice of three finishes: black ash, bamboo, or walnut.
The Fi70 is available from Fluance, with a 30-day risk-free trial where the speaker can be returned for a full refund if you’re not satisfied, according to a company spokesperson.