Short answer: the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). It ranks #33 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $168; the Fluance Signature HFS ranks #45 and costs $199.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) offers: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued. Watch for: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
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.
Buy the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod). It ranks higher for sound quality than the Fluance Signature HFS and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Fluance Signature HFS. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $168 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #33 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 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) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 4" curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1" silk dome tweeter (replacement) | 1" neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5" glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg | 9.7 lbs each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 8 ohms |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.1"W x 8.5"D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod): $168
Pros: This is Dennis Murphy’s “Affordable Accuracy Monitor” (AAM) mod of the discontinued, budget Pioneer SP-BS22-LR: the stock tweeter is swapped for a Peerless BC25TG15 dome and a redesigned 3rd-order crossover is built to match it to the stock 4” woofer. CEA2034 spinorama shows only small variations from a flat on-axis response with some directivity error near the crossover, a marked improvement over the unmodified Pioneer, which the reviewer notes shows much more variation from flat. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled above 200Hz, and tweeter distortion barely rises even at 96dB SPL/1m.
Cons: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency. Distortion climbs in the woofer’s range (below 200Hz) at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 5 ohms with a couple of resonance peaks. This is a DIY project, not a finished retail product: Murphy sold ~$168 pre-built pairs for a while but no longer does, so it now requires sourcing a used/discontinued Pioneer SP-BS22-LR pair plus building the crossover and swapping the tweeter yourself. The mod itself is public domain, but there is no current turnkey way to buy this speaker.
Full Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3000Hz |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.1"W x 8.5"D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4" curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1" silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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
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- Fluance Signature HFS vs Micca RB42
- Fluance Signature HFS vs Q Acoustics 3020i
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