Short answer: the Fluance Signature HFS for better sound quality, the Klipsch R-41M for the lower price. The Fluance Signature HFS ranks #45 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $199.99. The Klipsch R-41M ranks #54 at $149, $50.99 cheaper.
What the Fluance Signature HFS gets right: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. The catch: 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.
What the Klipsch R-41M offers: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis.
Buy the Fluance Signature HFS if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch R-41M 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 | Klipsch R-41M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #45 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #54 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (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) | 4" spun-copper IMG woofer, 1" Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each | 7 lbs / 3.18 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Frequency Response | - | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Micca RB42 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Polk T15
- JBL Control 1 Pro vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Polk T15
- 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 Control 1 Pro
- 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
- See all 13 comparisons
Klipsch R-41M: $149.00 Amazon
Pros: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. The horn-loaded tweeter can play loud without strain.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis. Sensitivity is only 85dB through most of the music-energy range despite Klipsch’s horn-loaded reputation for efficiency. In an A/B against a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the R-41M had “no bass” and all mid-to-treble energy; the reviewer’s verdict was “please avoid the Klipsch R-41M unless you just want a speaker as an ornament.”
Full Klipsch R-41M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Drivers | 4" spun-copper IMG woofer, 1" Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Power Handling | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Weight | 7 lbs / 3.18 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons