Compare Fluance Ri71 Reference Powered Bookshelf Speakers vs KEF LSX II Wireless HiFi Speakers

Across reviews, the Ri71's walnut, white, and black finishes are a real plus, with walnut especially well liked, though the exposed drivers and lack of grilles make the styling more assertive than discreet.

Reviews repeatedly note there is no Wi-Fi platform, so AirPlay-style network streaming is effectively absent.

AirPlay 2 support is consistently treated as reliable and easy to live with, with no meaningful complaints in the standard LSX II reviews.

There is no Fluance companion app, leaving source and tone changes to the remote and physical controls.

KEF Connect is generally praised for clean setup, responsive control, and useful tuning options. The app is a major usability strength, even if a few reviewers still leaned on it more than they wanted.

Codec and signal support are solid for the price, with AAC and aptX-family Bluetooth plus HDMI ARC, though the omission of USB and optical narrows digital-audio flexibility.

Format support is a clear strong point, with repeated praise for broad hi-res handling, streaming service coverage, and flexible digital playback paths.

Bluetooth support is better than average here, with aptX HD commonly highlighted and some reviews also noting AAC, SBC, and aptX Low Latency.

Bluetooth pairing is generally described as fast, easy, and stable for everyday playback.

The MDF cabinets, internal bracing, curved sides, and front slot port are consistently described as solidly built for the class.

Because the Ri71 lacks Wi-Fi or network audio, Chromecast-style casting is not part of the feature set.

Chromecast support is widely viewed as a welcome part of the platform, helping the LSX II fit neatly into mixed-device households and app ecosystems.

Even when the speakers sound large and expansive, reviewers often describe the presentation as integrated and coherent rather than smeared or disjointed.

Reviews repeatedly describe the LSX II as coherent, organized, and musically integrated, especially when handling dense mixes or nearfield listening.

The remote buttons and main controls usually register cleanly, though a few reviewers found the endlessly rotating tone and volume controls less intuitive than ideal.

Most reviewers like the classic bookshelf look and visible drivers, but the no-grille design and slightly old-school finishes will not suit every room.

Design is one of the system's clearest selling points. Reviewers consistently call the LSX II stylish, premium-looking, and easy to place in modern living spaces.

Detail retrieval is one of the Ri71's clearest strengths, especially in the treble, ambience, and subtle instrumental textures.

Detail retrieval is strong for the class, with reviewers regularly noting clean separation, intelligibility, and the ability to expose textures without sounding vague or blurred.

For TV use, dialogue stays centered and intelligible, making the Ri71 a credible soundbar alternative.

For TV use, dialogue is widely reported as clear and forward, making the LSX II a credible stereo upgrade over basic television audio.

The speakers stay composed at sane loud levels, but multiple reviews note some bass strain, honkiness, or treble edge when pushed very hard.

The LSX II stays composed at sensible levels, but several reviews note that treble can harden and control can loosen when pushed very hard.

Dynamic expression is strong for the size, especially once bass duties are shared with a subwoofer.

Dynamic expression is a recurring highlight. The speakers sound punchy and lively for their size, though headroom still tapers off before true big-room output.

Bass and treble controls are useful and widely appreciated, even if they are basic rather than app-driven EQ.

EQ and placement tuning are among the best parts of the package. Reviewers frequently mention that the app-based adjustments are useful, audible, and easy to tailor to desks, stands, walls, and subwoofers.

Consensus points to a balanced, near-neutral tuning with good bass weight for the size, though some listeners hear a slightly forward upper range or limited deepest bass.

Tonal balance is usually described as refined, accurate, and well judged, with the main caveat being a slightly forward or bright upper range on some material or at higher volumes.

HDMI ARC is a major selling point and usually works well, but a few reviewers ran into picky or inconsistent behavior with certain displays.

HDMI ARC is a meaningful upgrade for convenience and TV integration. Reviews consistently say it works well and makes the LSX II much easier to slot into everyday media setups.

The Ri71 integrates unusually well into TV setups thanks to ARC, stereo width, and easy subwoofer expansion.

As a compact 2.0 TV and music system, the LSX II integrates very well into home setups. Its limitation is scale, not convenience, so larger rooms and blockbuster bass still benefit from adding a subwoofer.

Using standard speaker wire between the active and passive cabinets is flexible, but the included cable is basic and the one-box electronics create some asymmetry.

The inter-speaker link works well, and several reviewers preferred the slightly weightier, more stable sound when the speakers were connected by cable rather than run wirelessly.

TV sync performance is a strength. Reviews that tested video sources through HDMI ARC reported little to no lip-sync trouble.

Output is strong for a compact powered pair, with enough headroom for living rooms and small home-theater use.

The LSX II plays surprisingly loud for its size and can comfortably fill small to mid-size rooms. It still is not the right tool for very large spaces or constant high-SPL listening.

In smaller rooms and quieter listening, the Ri71 still preserves detail and tonal balance reasonably well, though bigger spaces may want a sub or a little bass lift.

The on-speaker volume knob and rear tone controls are handy, but their placement and endless rotation drew mixed reactions.

Physical on-speaker control is a weak spot. At least one review specifically criticized the lack of direct controls, reinforcing how app-dependent the system feels.

Reviewers repeatedly call out the missing optical input as one of the biggest connectivity omissions.

At roughly $400, the pricing is seen as competitive rather than ultra-cheap, especially given the ARC input and AMT tweeters.

The included remote is genuinely useful, covering source, volume, playback, LED brightness, and tone adjustments, though it is plain and occasionally quirky.

The included remote is usable but not a highlight. Some reviewers found it small, plasticky, or less satisfying than simply controlling the speakers through the app.

Basic setup is straightforward: connect the speaker wire, power the active cabinet, choose a source, and go. Ease of setup is one of the Ri71's strongest usability wins, especially for people moving up from TV speakers or a soundbar.

Setup is widely described as simple and low-friction, with multiple reviewers calling the LSX II easy to get playing from TV, phone, laptop, or network sources.

There is no built-in Alexa-style assistant layer here; the Ri71 is a straightforward speaker system rather than a smart speaker.

Feature depth is deliberately limited: you get HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, tone controls, and sub-out, but no app, Wi-Fi, voice control, or broader smart ecosystem.

Several reviewers praise the sense of height and scale the Ri71 can throw when positioned well, especially versus compact soundbars.

Without Wi-Fi networking, Spotify Connect is not available as a native streaming option.

Spotify Connect is treated as a dependable part of the platform, helping make the LSX II approachable for non-audiophile household use.

The front LED provides useful source and status feedback and can be dimmed or switched off, but brightness and color-coding drew some complaints.

Stereo imaging is excellent for the money, with stable center focus, wide separation, and convincing placement of voices and instruments.

Stereo imaging is the standout sonic trait. Across the reviews, the LSX II is repeatedly praised for pinpoint placement, broad staging, and a soundfield that feels larger than the cabinets suggest.

The subwoofer output is a real strength, and the automatic 80Hz high-pass behavior makes 2.1 expansion especially effective.

No summary yet.

The Ri71 does not offer real surround virtualization; its appeal comes from honest stereo width rather than simulated Atmos effects.

Value is one of the strongest themes across the reviews, with many writers saying the Ri71 outperforms typical soundbars and many similarly priced powered speakers.

Value for money lands on the positive side as long as you want an all-in-one premium compact system. Reviewers mostly argue that the combination of sound, design, and connectivity justifies the price.

Because there is no onboard voice-assistant platform, there is no meaningful assistant responsiveness to evaluate.

Vocals are consistently reproduced with clarity, body, and stable placement, whether for music or spoken content.

Vocals are generally rendered with very good clarity and presence, which helps both music listening and casual TV use.

No built-in voice-assistant system means there is no voice-recognition feature to speak of.

For a real bookshelf pair, the cabinets are compact and manageable enough for shelves, consoles, or stands, though they are not tiny desktop speakers.

Wi-Fi streaming is absent altogether, so reliability for network playback is effectively a non-feature.

Wi-Fi streaming reliability is broadly strong, with repeated mentions of stable everyday use across services and home-network playback.

Input selection covers the essentials with HDMI ARC, RCA, Bluetooth, and sub-out, but the lack of optical and USB keeps the set from feeling fully loaded. Analog RCA and HDMI inputs sound good, and some reviewers preferred wired sources over Bluetooth for the best bass weight and overall refinement.

Wired connectivity is a major strength. HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, Ethernet, and aux on the standard LSX II give it more flexibility than many compact wireless rivals.