ES1 Conclusion
The Fluance ES1 loudspeakers are definitely an interesting design. The build quality is on the very high side
for this price point. The slim and tall
cabinet is attractive and looks good sitting next to a big screen television so
long as they do not get knocked over on accident. Sensitivity is on the high side so they can
be used with most home theater receivers or standalone amplifiers. If you are
inclined, they fully support bi-amplification into substantial binding
posts.
The ES1’s produce an excellent soundstage although the treble is definitely a little too high compared to the mid and low frequencies. There is a substantial resonant peak at 150Hz that doesn’t really sound terrible, but the low frequency response rolls off below 150Hz. This loudspeaker requires a subwoofer for music or for home theater. The ES1 shines as an attractive and affordable home theater main loudspeaker. With room correction or equalization, the ES1’s sound pretty good for music too, especially considering the price.
Fluance ES1 Tower Review
MSRP: $449/pr
1.888.61.SOUND (1.888.617.6863)
The Score Card
The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:
Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating
Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.
Audioholics Rating Scale
— Excellent
- — Very Good
- — Good
- — Fair
- — Poor
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Build Quality | |
| Appearance | |
| Treble Extension | |
| Treble Smoothness | |
| Midrange Accuracy | |
| Bass Extension | |
| Bass Accuracy | |
| Dynamic Range | |
| Performance | |
| Value | |
See also:
About the author:
Joel Foust's experience in quality control, product certifications and do-it-yourself loudspeaker design bode well for the consistent application and development of in-depth loudspeaker testing. Joel is committed to providing accurate results that are comparable for each loudspeaker tested.
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Recent Forum Posts:
Thanks for giving us a size reference with your Fender acoustic. An interesting choice for an audiophile, care to share how you selected that piece of gear? I'm no snob, I play a Sigma with a Fishman Natural II pickup and d"Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze medium gauge strings.
It seems like they put some high quality parts in here, but the cabinet rings like a bell, referring to the Cumulative spectral decay
I think they should find a way to better damp the Aluminimum
So significant ringing at 25dB+ must be very audible…..
I would not consider a speaker like this….
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