Fluance AV-BP2 Surround Speakers

Fluance AV-BP2 Surround Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

The Fluance AV-BP2 tackles the needs of surround speaker design in a usefully different way. It is a bipolar design that combines two identical panels that employ a 4-inch woofer and a 1-inch Neodymium balanced dome tweeter. Its surround ambience is very convincing, thanks to the way the two speaker panels are angled outward to radiate indirectly. But because the speakers are wired in phase, in a bipolar design, they also provide all the localization needed for soundtracks with directional surround effects. The more demanding you are about surround sound, the more we think you will appreciate what the AV-BP2 has to offer. It has top reproduction qualities in the hi-fidelity music as well as the surround sound home theater area and therefore can also be used as a bookshelf speaker. Only premium components such as powerfully dimensioned high-performance magnets and Neodymium tweeters are used in the production of this system. The Neodymium balanced pure silk dome tweeters provide a wonderfully smooth and accurate projection of the high frequency portions of the signal. The result is a pure and perfect listening experience.

  • Bipolar Radiation Pattern For Optimum Surround Imaging
  • MDF Wood Construction To Reduce Cabinet Resonance
  • High End Neodymium Balanced Pure Silk Dome Tweeters
  • Ferro-fluid Cooled Tweeter For Longer Life
  • High Efficiency Design
  • Butyl Rubber Surrounds For Increased Durability and Performance
  • Gold Plated Binding Post Terminals for Optimum Conductivity
  • Removable Flush Fit Grills
  • Built-In Wall Mounting Hardware
  • Crossover Features Butterworth Design
  • 18 Gauge Lead Wire to Reduce Signal Degradation
  • Premium Black Ash Woodgrain Finish
  • New with a 5 Year Warranty

  • USER REVIEWS

    Showing 1-10 of 11  
    [Jul 07, 2017]
    TIMOTHY N.
    Audio Enthusiast

    Just received mine yesterday (I ordered mine from Amazon.com) I immediately hooked them up to My Yamaha RX-V373 5.1ch AVR and put in Indiana Jones Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls Blu-Ray Disc. Definitely worth their asking price for the level of sound reproduction these things put out!!! My Poor-Man's Home Theatre setup consists of the following - POLK AUDIO 75T (Front Speakers), POLK AUDIO CSX250c (Center Channel Speaker), KLIPSCH R-12SW (Powered Subwoofer) and now the FLUANCES for the Surround Speakers.
    I'll be playing music from my NEXUS 6 and watching more Blu-Rays anytime/everytime I get a chance to so that these speakers can start to "open" up. After 3+years for my other speakers they sound alot better than when they did when they were brand new. So far though I'm pleased with these Fluances, they look good and have good weight to them for there size.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Mar 03, 2010]
    Gilles Callaghan
    AudioPhile

    Best speakers on the market for your dollar. Good response and quite well built. Try them you might like them.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Apr 02, 2008]
    Dave C.
    AudioPhile

    Strength:

    Superb Sound Quality for any speaker! Unheard of quality for any speaker near this price! Wattage capabilities well beyond most system requirements!

    Weakness:

    I would like a little broader frequency response on the low side, but that is not attainable from any speaker this size.

    These are not huge wall bipolar speakers. If you are looking at these for a system, you need either large main speakers to cover the lows below about 180 Hz, a designated powered subwoofer, or both. Either way, you need a receiver that allows you to cut frequencies below their range to prevent damage to the speakers. For anyone out there that might think a few of these will displace a big box for the low frequencies somewhere in the room, you are wrong. Then again, that is the case with any surround speaker and that is not their design in the first place. There is a quick audio buying education below.

    I have built and designed many full home theater systems that ran into the several thousand dollar ranges on audio components alone. I get paid for my services. These systems have included Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, and the high-end components of Harmon Karden, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, including many tube-amplified systems, just to name a few. Saying I am “picky” about audio is a gross understatement.

    One might ask, “Why would he buy these for his own system?” It is a very valid question with a very valid answer: PRICE. These were part of my second home theater room. I originally bought these speakers as “disposables” that I could use temporarily until I got the money for others. After installing and adjusting them, I have no plans to replace them whatsoever. They sound far better than many of the bipolar speakers I have installed costing several hundred dollars a piece. They are an excellent bipolar speaker; they are an UNPRECEDENTED bang for the buck.

    I have pieced together and installed hundreds of home and car audio systems. I have not dealt with, nor will I deal with, crappy components. I always felt the end-result sound was a reflection on me, and I did not want that reflection to sound anything less than impressive. While many of my customers and friends have ridiculous money to invest in things like this, I allotted less my budget for financial and other reasons offered below. Over the 25+ years, I have come to realize many things. Here are some words of wisdom if you have the time.

    MORE EXPENSIVE DOES NOT EQUATE TO BETTER. Often, manufacturers price an item way high and get away with it just because it is unique, not because it performs well. Listen to an “Acoustimess” system as a perfect example. If you think it sounds good, either you are impressed by the name, or you have never heard decent speakers. They are “neat”, but that is it. VERY tinny highs, lacking mids, and VERY limited bass. B0SE 901’s: yes; “Acoustimess”: no. There are countless other examples with other manufacturers. BTW: These crush the sound of the “Acoustimess” cubes.

    YOU WILL NEVER KEEP THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. What may be “new and hot” at the time will turn into standard amenities a few months later. Decent receivers made two years ago exceed the needs for most buyers and have more features and functions than most people could ever hope to understand, or even need to understand. Buying a top-end component when it has been out for a few months saves from 20-60%. Having the coolest new thing quickly wears off, quality and money saved are permanent assets.

    LOUD DOES NOT EQUAL BETTER. I have always tried to “overbuild” systems so that they could handle more power than the listener’s ear cared to endure. That is not to say that a system needs to be “earth rattling” loud; it just needs to sound clean at the maximum volume that the listener would need or want. If you live in an apartment or town home, save your money and do not buy a ‘mega-watt” system. If you ever turn it up to the limits, you will likely be looking for a new place to live. Another technical note: peak wattages should never be confused with RMS wattages. Speakers rated at 100 watts peak will sound like crap and distort terribly when you pump a genuine 100 watts RMS into them. Speakers rated at 100 watts RMS will produce an almost infinitely cleaner sound. Ignore peak values and go by RMS on amps and speakers unless you fully understand slew factors, headroom, and other technical parameters.

    SUMMARY: Get the best bang for your buck. Sampling rates and features have far surpassed what most listeners could ever hear, let alone understand. Avoid the Superstores when possible. They have good deals on some components, but they will make up for it with pricing on cables and assorted other crap they push on the buyer. Need a good bipolar? Buy these. You will not be disappointed and your wallet will be thrilled.

    Customer Service

    Unnecessary as of yet. Quick shipping and good protective packaging.

    Similar Products Used:

    Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, etc.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Apr 02, 2008]
    Dave C.
    AudioPhile

    Strength:

    Superb Sound Quality for any speaker! Unheard of quality for any speaker near this price! Wattage capabilities well beyond most system requirements!

    Weakness:

    I would like a little broader frequency response on the low side, but that is not attainable from any speaker this size.

    These are not huge wall bipolar speakers. If you are looking at these for a system, you need either large main speakers to cover the lows below about 180 Hz, a designated powered subwoofer, or both. Either way, you need a receiver that allows you to cut frequencies below their range to prevent damage to the speakers. For anyone out there that might think a few of these will displace a big box for the low frequencies somewhere in the room, you are wrong. Then again, that is the case with any surround speaker and that is not their design in the first place. There is a quick audio buying education below.

    I have built and designed many full home theater systems that ran into the several thousand dollar ranges on audio components alone. I get paid for my services. These systems have included Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, and the high-end components of Harmon Karden, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, including many tube-amplified systems, just to name a few. Saying I am “picky” about audio is a gross understatement.

    One might ask, “Why would he buy these for his own system?” It is a very valid question with a very valid answer: PRICE. These were part of my second home theater room. I originally bought these speakers as “disposables” that I could use temporarily until I got the money for others. After installing and adjusting them, I have no plans to replace them whatsoever. They sound far better than many of the bipolar speakers I have installed costing several hundred dollars a piece. They are an excellent bipolar speaker; they are an UNPRECEDENTED bang for the buck.

    I have pieced together and installed hundreds of home and car audio systems. I have not dealt with, nor will I deal with, crappy components. I always felt the end-result sound was a reflection on me, and I did not want that reflection to sound anything less than impressive. While many of my customers and friends have ridiculous money to invest in things like this, I allotted less my budget for financial and other reasons offered below. Over the 25+ years, I have come to realize many things. Here are some words of wisdom if you have the time.

    MORE EXPENSIVE DOES NOT EQUATE TO BETTER. Often, manufacturers price an item way high and get away with it just because it is unique, not because it performs well. Listen to an “Acoustimess” system as a perfect example. If you think it sounds good, either you are impressed by the name, or you have never heard decent speakers. They are “neat”, but that is it. VERY tinny highs, lacking mids, and VERY limited bass. B0SE 901’s: yes; “Acoustimess”: no. There are countless other examples with other manufacturers. BTW: These crush the sound of the “Acoustimess” cubes.

    YOU WILL NEVER KEEP THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. What may be “new and hot” at the time will turn into standard amenities a few months later. Decent receivers made two years ago exceed the needs for most buyers and have more features and functions than most people could ever hope to understand, or even need to understand. Buying a top-end component when it has been out for a few months saves from 20-60%. Having the coolest new thing quickly wears off, quality and money saved are permanent assets.

    LOUD DOES NOT EQUAL BETTER. I have always tried to “overbuild” systems so that they could handle more power than the listener’s ear cared to endure. That is not to say that a system needs to be “earth rattling” loud; it just needs to sound clean at the maximum volume that the listener would need or want. If you live in an apartment or town home, save your money and do not buy a ‘mega-watt” system. If you ever turn it up to the limits, you will likely be looking for a new place to live. Another technical note: peak wattages should never be confused with RMS wattages. Speakers rated at 100 watts peak will sound like crap and distort terribly when you pump a genuine 100 watts RMS into them. Speakers rated at 100 watts RMS will produce an almost infinitely cleaner sound. Ignore peak values and go by RMS on amps and speakers unless you fully understand slew factors, headroom, and other technical parameters.

    SUMMARY: Get the best bang for your buck. Sampling rates and features have far surpassed what most listeners could ever hear, let alone understand. Avoid the Superstores when possible. They have good deals on some components, but they will make up for it with pricing on cables and assorted other crap they push on the buyer. Need a good bipolar? Buy these. You will not be disappointed and your wallet will be thrilled.

    Customer Service

    Unnecessary as of yet. Quick shipping and good protective packaging.

    Similar Products Used:

    Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, etc.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [May 11, 2007]
    niskayuna07
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    prompt delivery on a double boxed package, excellent build quality. unbelievable price, gold plated audio posts, neodymium tweeters and great drivers with butyl rubber. high end looks

    Weakness:

    none found whatsoever

    I bought an HTIB with speakers of the same brand as the receiver. Was a bit too anxious to push a bit more since it needed some more natural bass because the front speakers was a bit tiny to handle em. Went online to check out some surround speakers and got a hold of Fluance's website as part of a site's best deals on speakers. Hesitant at first but found the reviews very helpful. Decided to try them out and was very impressed of the prompt delivery, build quality and its excellent audio output.

    Instead of having placed the AV-BP2 as surround since the room was not that big, I prompted for it to be as front speakers. The room was definitely filled now with clear, crisp sound because of the bipolar design of the speakers.

    Having this setup and this sound quality made my friends believe that not all high end speakers need to be expensive.


    Customer Service

    great transaction and prompt delivery. Notification of tracking on delivery was A+++

    Similar Products Used:

    bose 301 speakers, acoustimass 5, polk audio,

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [May 11, 2007]
    Jess Belza
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    The baffles were of premium MDF. The neodymium tweeters and drivers delivers excellent surround sound with its bipolar design. May be used as an excellent bookshelf speakers. Gold plated binding posts terminals gives out as a high end type of speaker system.

    Weakness:

    None found

    Prompt delivery on double boxed package. Excellent build and better audio quality at an ubelievable price.

    Customer Service

    Prompt reply on inquiries and shipment. Hassle free transactions. Highly recommendable.

    Similar Products Used:

    Bose acoustimass 5 series III, bose 301, polk audio, Denon HTIB, JBL speakers

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [May 09, 2007]
    jose bernardino
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    its 100 watts

    Weakness:

    i cant find any

    i bought a pair of fluance bipolar speakers for my surr back set up and im surprise w these speakers inexpensive but sounds like expensive my set up are as ff. . yamaha rxv2600 and kenwood amp for back surr main fr polk rti12 center csi5 surr rt16 main sub definitive supercube 1 back sub klipsch sub12..and it works good w/the rest of the system `

    Customer Service

    very helpful

    Similar Products Used:

    bose cube

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jan 31, 2005]
    AudioQuest
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    Well built, nice binding posts, clean neutral sound and of course - outrageously low priced!

    Weakness:

    Limited bass, but they are not meant to deliver bass.

    I have been testing these speakers for several hours now and had to post a review right away because I am so impressed with them. Fluance facinated me because of their incredibly low prices for what seem to be truly state-of-the-art products. I am in the process of constructing my home theatre room based around a Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver. Front speakers are KEF C95s, Centre speaker is a KEF Reference Model 100, the Fluance AVB-P2's will be the surrounds and a pair of Sonab C10's will handle the rear surrounds. Bass will come from a d-Box David 302 subwoofer. I wanted to hook these units up immediately to get an impression of their sound. I found them to be very neutral sounding in the midrange and very clean in the highs. Bass is not an issue here as they will not be called upon to reproduce any deep bass. The frequency response is listed as 130-20k and sensitivity at 85db +-3. I will post again once my home theatre is completed. By the way, service was excellent from the retailer.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Dec 12, 2003]
    RecRoomYeti
    Casual Listener

    Strength:

    Price! Bi-polar design. Wall-mountable. Good prices on add-on order. Great packaging and prompt shipping.

    Weakness:

    Relatively inneficient. A bit tinny, but that's not unexpected.

    I, like everyone else who looks at Fluance, was intrigued by the exceptionally low price. I had been trying to convince my wife we needed the PSB Image 10s, but at $325/pair and a second baby on the way, it was no go. I read all the reviews on the Web I could find on the AV-BP2 and decided to order. As others have said, shipping was reasonably quick, and the speakers were very well packaged. I listened to them full range at normal listening levels for 10-20 hours per the manufacturer's advice. If you're like me and you get your mind set on something, you will go for it no matter what the little voice of reason tells you. My voice said there are no real bargains, and that you will get what you pay for. I have so far been pleasantly surprised, but certainly not blown away. These speakers are a decent entry level bipolar surround, but they simply can't match up to their larger and more expensive cousins such as the PSB, Paradigm, etc. Mind you they are much less expensive, so that's the trade-off. For ambience and direct effects, these seem to do the job pretty well. I am not disappointed given that I only spent 99 bucks. If you set them up using your receiver's test tones you will likely not notice as much of a difference as if you listen to a voice panning from speaker to speaker, as I did when I tested them using the Video Essentials DVD. It's too obvious to even say, but since this is a review I will: there's a marked difference in the sound reproduction from the high-quality L/C/R speakers to the surrounds. It is not so noticeable with effects, but it is moreso with voices. If you do decide to place an order, pay the extra couple of bucks and get the speaker cable and banana plugs they offer. The cable is Audio Research 12 gauge O2-free and is very flexible. I didn't get the plugs, but wish I had since that would be the best way to connect them. The binding posts are too fat for even large spades, and the posts are pointing upward making them ideal for cable coming in from the top. The binding posts have a large hole in them so you could run bare 12g in there too. Don't cheap out and run 14g or 16g or *gasp* 18g. These speakers are fairly inefficient at 85 +- 3db, so if you are pushing a signal any distance, treat your receiver to some decent cable. If the speakers continue to warm up and I notice appreciable differences in sound quality, I'll repost.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    3
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Oct 22, 2003]
    JohnR
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    Well made. Gold binding posts. Silk tweeters and bipolar design combine for a solid performance for Hometheater and listening to music.

    Weakness:

    None

    I bought these speakers because I wanted good budget bipolar surrounds for my THX EX setup and for DVD Audio cd's. I looked and listened to Def Tech bipolars and they were pretty nice but I couldn't afford spending that much ($250-500) for surrounds. I thought about some Polk dipolars as well but I wanted to give a small direct mail speaker company a chance because I've read nothing but positives from other direct mail companies such as Outlaw Audio, Adire Audio, Asperion, Hometheater Direct and Fluance. These speakers are currently being used as the surrounds matched w/ the Energy Take 5 speakers up front. These surrounds provided very good ambience during movies such as Brotherhood of the Wolf, T2 and Cowboy Bebop the Movie. They are also well made for the price and the silk tweeters combined w/ the 2 mid bass drivers sound crisp and detailed when I listened to Fleetwood Mac Rumours on DVD Audio. I plan to hook up the other two Energy Take 5 satellites to get a full 7.1 system going! If you're on a budget and want to try out some real good bipolar surrounds then give these a chance. You won't be disappointed and you'll be giving a small speaker company a chance to sell more good quality speakers at real world prices!

    Similar Products Used:

    Energy Take 5 (direct radiating)

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    Showing 1-10 of 11  

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