Short answer: the Fluance Signature HFS for better sound quality, the JBL Control 1 Pro for the lower price. The Fluance Signature HFS ranks #45 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $199.99. The JBL Control 1 Pro ranks #46 at $164, $35.99 cheaper.
What the Fluance Signature HFS offers: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange - both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests.
On the JBL Control 1 Pro side: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Set against that: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it.
Buy the Fluance Signature HFS if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Control 1 Pro if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 56 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fluance Signature HFS | JBL Control 1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $164 |
| Ranked | #45 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #46 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended | 150W |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | sealed |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Polk T15 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Micca RB42 vs Polk T15
- Polk T15 vs Klipsch R-41M
- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Micca RB42 vs Fluance Signature HFS
The Two Speakers In Full
Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Distortion in the low end is well controlled per the measurements, and the glossy front baffle adds a touch of style well beyond the budget price.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange - both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests. Multiple attempted EQ fixes “could not rescue” the sound, and the reviewer said the result was “close” to the lowest possible rating. Online reviews seeded by the company were positive; the reviewer’s measured and subjective experience was not.
Full Fluance Signature HFS review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Drivers | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Fluance Signature HFS vs JBL Stage A130
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Polk T15
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Micca RB42
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Fluance Signature HFS vs KEF Q100
- See all 13 comparisons
JBL Control 1 Pro: $164 Parts Express
Pros: Magnetically shielded transducers and a rugged molded enclosure make it a durable choice for wall-mount or install use, with SonicGuard overload protection built into the crossover. Feels solidly built despite the low price, and the professional crossover network uses steep slopes.
Cons: Sound power and predicted in-room response measurements are badly uneven compared to the JBL 305P Mark II tested alongside it, with no waveguide to control directivity as the woofer beams before handing off to the tweeter. The reviewer performed no distortion or dedicated listening test on this unit and concluded he didn’t “think there is a reason to purchase it” over a proper studio monitor at a similar price.
Full JBL Control 1 Pro review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 9.3H x 6.3W x 5.6D in |
| Drivers | 5.25" low frequency driver, 0.75" polycarbonate dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz -10dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Polk T15
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs JBL Stage A130
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Q Acoustics 5020
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Micca RB42
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Klipsch R-41M
- See all 12 comparisons