[starbux48]

I'm very interested in any posts about the SX6 speakers from Fluance.  Price will be $105 for the pair direct from manufacturer.  Do not have chance to listen to them befoe buying so are there any alternatives around same price that are as good?  I did view a Youtube video that seemed to indicate these sound awesome.  Will be driving them with an Onkyo TX-NR535 receiver around 85w/channel into 8 ohms.

 

[zunehdrocks]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heo66YtJO1w&app=desktop
Is this the review you were talking about?

 

[starbux48]

Yes that's the only one I've found so far.  They do ship direct, have lifetime warranty, and you have 30 days to audition them and if you want to return them for any reason Fluance even pays the return shipping.  Sounds fair to me.

 

[zunehdrocks]

I might've mentioned the pioneer bs22 and micca mb42x if i had not seen that video. Zeos says they **** on the miccas and are a step above the pioneers.
The 2 most popular alternatives are out.
I doubt you'll get any better at this price.

 

[zunehdrocks]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yq9np0mBfg&app=desktop
Maybe the polk owm 3 if you get a sub

Definitive technology monitor sm45
http://www.stereophile.com/content/definitive-technology-studiomonitor-45-loudspeaker

 

[cel4145]

I might've mentioned the pioneer bs22 and micca mb42x if i had not seen that video. Zeos says they **** on the miccas and are a step above the pioneers.
The 2 most popular alternatives are out.
I doubt you'll get any better at this price.

Have you heard the Fluance SX6?

Audioholics reviewed the whole Fluance SX-HTB+ speaker package, but did not comment on the individual performance of the SX6. Notably, the Pioneer Andrew Jones package was rated better for midrange and treble accuracy. The BS22 have also been reviewed by various other professional reviewers, such as
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-speaker-system
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker/
http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker

So I don't know think it a good idea to assume that the Fluance are better than the Pioneers based on a single amateur YouTube video. All of the hype surrounding them could be because of that video.

 

[zunehdrocks]

Have you heard the Fluance SX6?

Audioholics reviewed the whole Fluance SX-HTB+ speaker package, but did not comment on the individual performance of the SX6. Notably, the Pioneer Andrew Jones package was rated better for midrange and treble accuracy. The BS22 have also been reviewed by various other professional reviewers, such as
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-speaker-system
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker/
http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs22-lr-loudspeaker

So I don't know think it a good idea to assume that the Fluance are better than the Pioneers based on a single amateur YouTube video. All of the hype surrounding them could be because of that video.

That first link with the fluance sx series doesn't have the sx6 in the package.
http://fluance.com/product/Surround_Sound_Single_Speaker_SXSS.eng-74.html
http://fluance.com/product/SX6_High_Definition_Two_way_Bookshelf_Loudspeakers.eng-12.html
Both the tweeter and woofer specifications and materials are different which is very unusual for a speaker in the same series.

I have not heard the fluance sx6. I have heard the pioneer bs22 and bs21.

He has done a review over the pioneers so its not like he is basing his claims off of nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72X3FZkins&app=desktop

 

[starbux48]

Well, I have heard the Pioneer BS22s and even in person they didn't sound as good as the Fluance SX6's did in the Youtube video so I have heard the Pioneers and was not impressed with the sound signature.

 

[cel4145]

That first link with the fluance sx series doesn't have the sx6 in the package.
http://fluance.com/product/Surround_Sound_Single_Speaker_SXSS.eng-74.html
http://fluance.com/product/SX6_High_Definition_Two_way_Bookshelf_Loudspeakers.eng-12.html
Both the tweeter and woofer specifications and materials are different which is very unusual for a speaker in the same series.

I have not heard the fluance sx6. I have heard the pioneer bs22 and bs21.

He has done a review over the pioneers so its not like he is basing his claims off of nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72X3FZkins&app=desktop

Right. I didn't look that closely. But same speaker/model series.

Listening to the Pioneers is not the same as listening to the Fluance.

Doesn't matter if he also has a YouTube review of the Pioneers. Any statement based on the claim that "some guy on YouTube said it" is certainly dubious.

 

[starbux48]

I appreciate all the responses.  I do know that referencing Youtube videos is not a real test.  I did audition the Pioneer B22's and for my taste did not prefer them.  Speakers as all know here are the most subjective (along with headphones) of gear.  What I heard on the Youtube review of the Fluance SX6's even played over very low-fi computer speakers make me want to try them.  30 day money back, no question, return policy when ordered direct.  They even pay the shipping both ways.  I did, and do, want any other speakers to consider though.

 

[zunehdrocks]

Right. I didn't look that closely. But same speaker/model series.

Listening to the Pioneers is not the same as listening to the Fluance.

Doesn't matter if he also has a YouTube review of the Pioneers. Any statement based on the claim that "some guy on YouTube said it" is certainly dubious.

Well i can't really say much else...
Theres barely any reviews or comparisons specifically for the fluance sx6

He has a reddit page with a bit more stuff btw
http://www.reddit.com/r/zeos

 

[cel4145]

Well i can't really say much else...
Theres barely any reviews or comparisons specifically for the fluance sx6

Exactly. That's the whole point. Would you invest all your life savings in a company because of what one guy says on his YouTube channel? Or would you be better to invest your life savings in a company that has been reviewed professionally? The former is certainly a much, much riskier proposition.

For instance, you can find people on the Internet swearing up and down that Bose Acoustimass speakers are the greatest things ever. Yet consistently, when people are asked to compare them to other comparably priced top speaker sets, most people will find that the Bose don't sound as good--by a significant margin. Yet, there is always that rare person that likes the Bose better. For all you know, only 1 in 50 people would prefer the Fluance to the Pioneers, and that guy on his YouTube channel is that one person.

So I'm not saying the Fluance are bad. I'm saying that there's not enough evidence to support that they are as good as that guy claims. Might be/might not. But I guess if you like to go to the track and throw your money down on the long shot . . .

 

[starbux48]

Two responses to last post.  I am not anyone else.  I don't care how many amateur and "professional" reviews there are on a manufacturer.  I am not going on reviews, I am going on how the Pioneers sound in person and the Fluances sound in the video.  I have seen the written reviews of the Pioneer BS22s out there,  but when I heard them myself I definitely did not like them.  I respect others preferences and views, but I have heard the Pioneers myself. I found Best Buy speakers that sounded as good for half the price.  And when a company pays for shipping both ways, and offers a return for any reason where is the gamble?
 
I feel the characterization of "But I guess if you like to go to the track and throw your money down on the long shot . . ." is unfair.  Fluance is a manufacturer that has chosen not to sign agreements with dealers or bigbox stores. I've seen companies like that before that means nothing as to their quality or anything about the company. When one gambles, it is often on word of mouth information or opinions of others, my desire to check out the Fluances is based on evidence of what they sounded like on the video.  If they sound half as good in person, and I can return them for a 100% return, that to me is no gamble. 
 
To answer "Would you invest all your life savings in a company because of what one guy says on his YouTube channel? Or would you be better to invest your life savings in a company that has been reviewed professionally? The former is certainly a much, much riskier proposition", I am not investing my life savings (#1) and (#2) my interest has nothing to do with whoever posted the demo on the SX6 speakers said.  My interest is on the music I heard.  I guess that's been misunderstood.  What I meant to say and convey was what I heard on the demo, several types of music including types I listen to were played and they sounded better via my computer speakers than any of the Pioneers I have personally heard.  I have no idea what he said because most of the video was music playing unlike 99.9% of Youtube "reviews" that the viewer rather than hear multiple tracks to show what the speakers will do instead are subjected to a video version of what could easily have been a text review on Amazon.  My opinion so far and probable decision to check them out has nothing to do with anyone's opinion because I have heard them even though it's online, not read someones opinion or review.
 
I have been using gear since mid 70's and not a newbie.  I have owned Polks, PSB, Pioneer, Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s, and others, and to me the Pioneers, no matter what others may think or how many like them, I do not.  The reason for my post was to elicit other suggestions that I may wish to consider that in one way or another I could "audition" the speakers.  I can audition Pioneers if I fork over $129 to Best Buy or audition the Fluance SX6 speakers by forking over $105.  Hmm, seems like I am saving money.
 
Please if anyone else has speaker names to recommend, I welcome them.  

 

[cel4145]

Two responses to last post.  I am not anyone else.  I don't care how many amateur and "professional" reviews there are on a manufacturer.  I am not going on reviews, I am going on how the Pioneers sound in person and the Fluances sound in the video.

Well, as you have already pointed out, YouTube videos are questionable for auditioning speakers. I personally would not factor them into speaker choice at all given that the room they were recorded in, the speaker placement, the recording equipment and its placement, and the speakers you listen to the recording with all color the sound. And then a YouTube recording can never give you any idea about the quality of the imaging and the soundstage, which could impact your preference if they are listened to in person. In fact, I ignore them completely because I know that it is such an extremely unreliable method of evaluating speakers, that I'm better off not even letting the video experience bias me at all. This is the only speaker video that I have ever seen that provides much useful insight into speaker performance:

[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlpqBoQ1hoQ[/VIDEO]



However, if you did not like the Pioneers for the money, that is certainly understandable in that speaker choice is an individual listening preference thing. If you listened to them in a BestBuy, I would warn you that's a horrible place to evaluate speakers.

As far as the analogy I made, that was just to make the point that speakers are an investment, that it is risky to make decisions based on one person's YouTube video, and it was in reply to zunehdrocks. People are often quick to recommend audio equipment A over equipment B based on almost no (or dubious information) without pointing out the risk to the person of doing so. In your case, if you can afford to audition speakers and return them if you don't like them, then by all means do so. That's the way to know if you'll like something. As far as auditioning the Pioneers, if you have a BestBuy nearby, no cost to audition other than driving to get them and driving to return them. If your credit card will handle it, buy both and compare them side by side and just for yourself since you can return either for free

For other suggestions, the Pioneers and Miccas are some of the best alternatives in your budget range. The Pioneers will often drop in price (do a search for them with slickdeals as a keyword), so you can certainly catch them for closer to $100 if you are patient. Polk's factory direct store on Ebay will also have some of the TSi/Monitor series for close to your price range (TSi and Monitors are about the same); Newegg also often has sales on Polks. Accessories4less.com may have some factory refurbished/factory warrantied speakers in your budget range--check them out.

 

[starbux48]

I did hear the Pioneers at local Best Buy and maybe if they go on sale again I may try them to listen at home instead of in the store.  Best Buy is a horrible place the way they set up speakers now as they have extremely limited source material.  I won't buy anything that can't be returned either online or in person.  I do have a nearby Fry's Electronics that might be a place to go sometime.  As far as ordering online either Ebay/direct from manufacturers, there will not be an ability to return anything so even if they hit my pitiful price range, I would have to either order from manufacturer like Polk or Fluance direct.  I don't know if Polk pays return shipping and offers unconditional returns, but will check.