Short answer: the Barefoot Footprint 01. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#72 and #71 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Barefoot Footprint 01 costs $2,999 against $3,798 for the Fluid Audio Image 2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Barefoot Footprint 01 does well: Measured bass reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB, giving substantial low-end weight. The tradeoff: The 6.70 ideal-subwoofer score and 2.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz indicate tonal unevenness relative to the strongest monitors.
What the Fluid Audio Image 2 does well: Measured -3dB extension of 38.1Hz gives useful bass reach, while a 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids. Watch for: The 6.80 ideal-subwoofer score places its measured native tonality below the leading monitors.
Buy the Barefoot Footprint 01. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $799 less than the Fluid Audio Image 2.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Barefoot Footprint 01 | Fluid Audio Image 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.00 per pair | $3,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #72 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #71 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 3-way active, sealed woofer/midrange chambers, machined aluminum baffle | Active sealed 3-way |
| Drivers | 1” ring-radiator tweeter, 4” aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 8” paper-composite woofers (Dual-Force opposed) | AMT tweeter, 5-inch midrange, dual opposed 8-inch woofers |
| Dimensions | 14.0H x 9.5W x 13.0D in | 14.3H x 9.5W x 13.8D in |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 650W total per speaker (500W LF, 150W HF), bi-amped | 675W each |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-45kHz (+/-3dB) | 40Hz-27kHz +/-2.2dB |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.48 | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.70 | 6.80 |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU, SPDIF |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB each |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Barefoot Footprint 01 (measured by Audio Science Review) and Fluid Audio Image 2 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Fluid Audio Image 2 compares with other leading options:
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Fluid Audio Image 2
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8040B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 708P
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Barefoot Footprint 01: $2,999.00 per pair Amazon $2,999.00 B&H Photo Video $3,199 eBay
Same family: the Barefoot Footprint 02 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: Measured bass reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB, giving substantial low-end weight. Its active multiway format and opposed bass drivers offer a compact professional system, with a 5.48 standalone preference score reflecting useful full-range capability.
Cons: The 6.70 ideal-subwoofer score and 2.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz indicate tonal unevenness relative to the strongest monitors. Driver count and opposed-woofer construction do not guarantee neutral room sound. Careful placement and correction remain worthwhile.
Full Barefoot Footprint 01 review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 650W total per speaker (500W LF, 150W HF), bi-amped |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.0H x 9.5W x 13.0D in |
| Drivers | 1” ring-radiator tweeter, 4” aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 8” paper-composite woofers (Dual-Force opposed) |
| Enclosure | 3-way active, sealed woofer/midrange chambers, machined aluminum baffle |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz-45kHz (+/-3dB) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.70 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs JBL 4329P
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs Dynaudio Core 47
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs JBL 708P
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs ADAM Audio A7V
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs Barefoot Footprint 02
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs Genelec 8040B
- Barefoot Footprint 01 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- See all 9 comparisons
Fluid Audio Image 2: $3,798 per pair Fluid Audio $1,899 eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 38.1Hz gives useful bass reach, while a 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids. The active multiway design and DSP tools offer flexibility for a studio installation.
Cons: The 6.80 ideal-subwoofer score places its measured native tonality below the leading monitors. DSP flexibility should not be confused with verified accuracy before adjustment. Full-range headroom, room integration and cabinet placement still need attention in a demanding monitoring system.
Full Fluid Audio Image 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 675W each |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 14.3H x 9.5W x 13.8D in |
| Drivers | AMT tweeter, 5-inch midrange, dual opposed 8-inch woofers |
| Enclosure | Active sealed 3-way |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-27kHz +/-2.2dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU, SPDIF |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB each |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.80 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Sigberg Audio Manta
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 4329P
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Dynaudio Core 47
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs JBL 708P
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs ADAM Audio A7V
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Genelec 8040B
- Fluid Audio Image 2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- See all 11 comparisons