Compare Fluance Ri71 Reference Powered Bookshelf Speakers vs Edifier M90

The missing optical input was one of the most repeated connectivity complaints, especially for older TVs, PCs, and comparison with related models.

The optical input is handy for televisions, media players, and older digital sources. It sounds good, though it does not support the same automatic wake behavior as HDMI.

Wired-input evidence was mixed: RCA/HDMI flexibility helped, but limited USB, optical, and broader digital input options were recurring drawbacks.

HDMI eARC, optical, USB-C, AUX, and sub-out cover nearly every desktop, TV, and legacy source. Multiple devices can remain connected and be switched without moving cables.

On-device controls were divisive: some found the top/rear volume control substantial and accessible, while others disliked its placement, speed, or learning curve.

The only physical knob and power control sit on the rear of the active speaker, making direct adjustments awkward. Most users will rely on the remote, app, or TV remote instead.

HDMI ARC was praised as a major TV-use convenience, but evidence was mixed because some reviewers encountered picky behavior or low output.

HDMI eARC is a standout strength, delivering simple TV setup, reliable CEC volume control, and strong audio quality. It makes the M90 a convincing alternative to a compact soundbar.

Inter-speaker setup evidence was mixed: standard wire and channel swapping were useful, but raw-wire handling drew criticism.

The generously long speaker-to-speaker cable allows proper stereo spacing across desks, shelves, and TV stands.

Price evidence was strongly favorable overall, with reviewers calling the Ri71 affordable, competitive, or a bargain, though one said it was not a steal.

The regular price is a noticeable jump from the M60 and can feel high for a single-purpose desktop setup. Discounts make the proposition much easier to justify.

Most reviewers found the Ri71 clean at normal-to-loud levels, but several noted honkiness, edge, harshness, or limits when pushed very hard.

Most listeners found the sound clean and controlled even when pushed hard, with little hiss or obvious distortion. At extreme levels, bass can become boomier and a few tracks lose some composure.

Design reactions were mixed-positive: several liked the attractive, functional look, while others called the finish old-fashioned or not visually subtle.

The restrained, boxy design looks modern and purposeful without flashy styling. It blends easily into desks and living rooms, although the busy rear panel is less elegant.

Button and knob response was split: one reviewer praised clicky positive remote buttons, while another disliked the feel and speed of the volume control.

The remote buttons respond quickly, have practical sizing, and remain easy to use in a dark room.

Bluetooth pairing and everyday wireless use were described as easy, reliable, or effortless across the supporting reviews.

Pairing is usually fast and stable at normal room distances. An isolated customer report found repeated disconnections when using Bluetooth with a TV.

Frequency balance was widely described as neutral, well-balanced, controlled, and suited to many genres, with only minor caveats around bass or midrange voicing.

The overall tuning is warm-neutral or broadly balanced, with strong bass and clear vocals. Depending on preset and placement, the mid-high range can sound cool, dry, recessed, or slightly rough, making the nine-band EQ especially useful.

Loudness was considered sufficient for small-to-medium rooms and TV use, though reviewers cautioned against expecting party-speaker output.

The M90 gets far louder than most desktop setups require and comfortably fills small to medium rooms. Output remains impressive in larger spaces, though the compact drivers cannot match full-size speakers.

Bass/treble tone controls were viewed as useful for tailoring sound, though some reviewers found the adjustment system basic or rudimentary.

The nine-band EQ and saveable presets make meaningful tonal and room corrections easy, with presets accessible from the remote. Power users may miss full parametric EQ, and some changes require a Bluetooth app connection.

Remote usability was mostly praised as handy and useful for daily control, but one reviewer found the mirrored bass/treble layout unintuitive.

The compact radio remote is highly useful for volume, inputs, playback, and EQ presets, and it works without line of sight. Because the physical controls are on the rear, the remote becomes nearly essential.

Reviewers who discussed size and weight found the speakers manageable for desks, stands, shelves, TV consoles, or ordinary living spaces.

The speakers have reassuring heft but retain a compact, desk-friendly footprint. They are easy to position on shelves or media consoles without feeling flimsy.

Reviewers who discussed power felt the built-in amplification saved space and provided enough drive for the Ri71’s intended small-to-medium-room use.

The active, bi-amplified design needs no separate receiver, DAC, or power amplifier, simplifying both desktop and TV systems.

The only opinionated format evidence says the simple stereo format should sound natural with most content rather than chase surround formats.

Hi-res wired processing and LDAC playback preserve more detail than basic Bluetooth, with a clearly audible benefit on compatible high-resolution material.

Low-volume evidence was positive, noting retained body, presence, and detail in quieter listening or scenes.

Detail and clarity remain intact at apartment-friendly listening levels, making the M90 especially effective for quiet desktop use.

Dynamic range was generally praised as solid or very good for the class, especially within reasonable room size and volume expectations.

The bi-amplified design gives the compact speakers strong punch and reserve, keeping music and movie effects lively as volume rises.

Reviewers broadly supported the Ri71 as a TV/soundbar alternative, while still treating it as stereo enhancement rather than full surround home theater.

HDMI eARC, CEC, clear dialogue, and wide stereo imaging make the M90 an excellent bedroom or office TV upgrade. Larger rooms and effects-heavy movies may still need a subwoofer or bigger speakers.

TV dialogue evidence was consistently positive, with speech described as centered, clear, intelligible, and easy to follow.

TV and movie dialogue comes through crystal clear, nuanced, and naturally centered, even during busy scenes.

Setup was consistently described as easy, straightforward, plug-and-play, dead simple, or hassle-free.

Most setups are plug-and-play, with USB-C and HDMI working in minutes. Docking-station arrangements and the app's Bluetooth connection can require extra troubleshooting or clearer instructions.

Bluetooth codec support was praised for aptX HD/AAC quality, although some reviewers noted rivals or other codecs can offer different advantages.

LDAC provides unusually strong wireless quality for this class, while AAC keeps iPhone playback respectable. LDAC is unavailable on Apple devices and cannot be used simultaneously with multipoint.

Cabinet build was mostly praised as solid, dense, sturdy, or better than expected, with one reviewer calling the class-average construction less substantive.

The dense MDF-style cabinets feel solid, rigid, and more premium than typical computer speakers. One unit showed average panel fit, but most found the enclosure impressively substantial.

Reviewers generally liked the finish choices and living-room fit, especially walnut, though a few found the styling dated or visually specific.

The black and white matte finishes look clean, modern, and easy to match with a desk or TV stand. The surfaces resist fingerprints and everyday marks well.

One reviewer specifically praised perceived soundstage height along with stereo separation.

The M90 produces unusually wide, deep, and tall staging for its size, especially over HDMI or optical and with careful placement.

Reviewers described the Ri71 as musically confident, cohesive, polished, and engaging, while one Bluetooth rock comparison produced a more mixed result.

Drivers blend smoothly into a unified, clean presentation, with vocals and instruments remaining organized across music, games, and video.

Voice clarity was praised in music and vocal-centric content, with vocals described as natural, clear, centered, and detailed.

Voices sound clear, forward, and full-bodied across music, podcasts, and TV. They remain intelligible without becoming shouty or thin.

Value evidence was very strong overall, with reviewers repeatedly saying performance, features, and sound quality punch above the price, despite connectivity tradeoffs.

The combination of sound quality, HDMI eARC, broad inputs, app EQ, and compact size makes the M90 strong value as an all-in-one system. One customer preferred a much cheaper alternative, but the wider consensus is highly favorable.

Detail retrieval was one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly praising AMT treble clarity, nuance, texture, and high-frequency insight.

Vocals, instruments, and small textures are generally clear and well separated. The smooth upper treble can occasionally blend fine details on dense recordings.

Stereo imaging was repeatedly praised, with reviewers noting centered vocals, wide soundstage, precise placement, and convincing left-right motion.

The speakers create a wide, stable stereo image with convincing center vocals and precise placement. A few demanding recordings reveal less pinpoint separation than dedicated hi-fi monitors.

Subwoofer support was considered valuable, both for deeper bass and for relieving the speakers of low-frequency strain.

The dedicated sub output makes it easy to add deeper extension. Many desktop listeners will be satisfied without one, while action movies and bass-heavy music benefit clearly from a subwoofer.

AirPlay 2 is absent, so the M90 cannot join an Apple multi-room setup and must rely on Bluetooth or wired connections.

ConneX is usually fast, clear, and stable, with useful input, firmware, and EQ controls. It can feel basic, sometimes requires Bluetooth for changes, and a few users found reconnection or setup unnecessarily fiddly.

Bluetooth and HDMI wake quickly, but USB-C, optical, and AUX may require the remote or app. The aggressive default sleep behavior can interrupt quiet content, though firmware and app settings can largely fix it.

AUX and optical inputs make it easy to use turntables with preamps, older media players, and legacy televisions.

Bass is punchy, fast, and unusually authoritative for four-inch drivers, with little muddiness or bloat. Deep sub-bass and large-room impact remain limited, so bass-heavy listeners may want a subwoofer.

Bluetooth pairing is quick and straightforward, making casual phone and tablet playback easy.

The crowded rear panel can turn into a visible tangle when several sources are connected at once.

The exposed drivers have no grilles, leaving the soft tweeters vulnerable to curious fingers or accidental contact.

Directional effects are easy to track, with strong impact and spacious rendering for desktop or couch gaming. HDMI eARC also keeps TV gaming responsive.

The box includes a generous cable selection, but a few customers received defective USB-C or power cables that required replacement.

HDMI eARC provides responsive, well-synced TV and gaming audio. One customer encountered noticeable Bluetooth video delay, so wired TV use is the safer choice.

Multipoint makes switching between two devices convenient and generally seamless. Enabling it disables LDAC, so shoppers must choose convenience or the highest Bluetooth quality.

Music sounds lively, clean, and enjoyable across genres, with rich vocals, punchy bass, and useful detail. The tuning favors accessible long-session listening over strict studio-monitor neutrality.

One measured/listening review praised wide, even coverage, supporting a broad listening area rather than a tiny sweet spot.

The compact footprint and substantial output are an excellent match for desks, bedrooms, offices, apartments, and small to medium living rooms.

Smart-feature evidence was limited and mixed: reviewers disliked the lack of phone/app control, while one appreciated that no app was required.

Status indicator evidence was mixed-positive: dimming and shutoff were appreciated, but one reviewer found the LED much too bright.

The wide front stage gives flyovers and directional effects convincing space, but it remains a stereo system rather than true surround sound.

Recycled cardboard-style protective forms reduce packaging waste while still keeping the speakers well protected.

Highs are generally smooth, detailed, and comfortable for long sessions. Some listeners heard recessed, cool, or slightly rough upper frequencies, which the EQ can usually tame.

HDMI eARC and CEC connect reliably, wake quickly, and let the TV remote control volume and power without fuss.

There is no Wi-Fi streaming, direct music-service support, or multi-room playback, which is a notable limitation for shoppers wanting a networked speaker.