Short answer: the Fluance Signature HFS. It ranks #45 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $199.99; the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR ranks #51 and costs $749, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Fluance Signature HFS side: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Set against that: 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 Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR gets right: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. The catch: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier.
Buy the Fluance Signature HFS. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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 | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $749 pair, discontinued |
| Ranked | #45 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Drivers | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
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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 KEF Q100
- See all 13 comparisons
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 pair, discontinued
Pros: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. With corrective EQ applied, the reviewer found “substantially more brilliance and detail,” and the up-firing Atmos driver produced “remarkable” spatial effects from a single box.
Cons: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. Distortion is elevated at the crossover points, around 180Hz and 2600Hz. Amir concluded: “The hole in frequency response and high distortion around the crossover point rule out this speaker for any kind of hifi use, certainly at these prices.” Long discontinued.
Full Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Impedance | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Klipsch R-41M
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Polk T15
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs JBL Stage A130
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Micca RB42
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 9 comparisons