Due to space limitations and flexibility in use, the powered bookshelf or studio speakers are becoming popular among music lovers. The Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB are some of the best-sounding bookshelf speaker pacts with unique features.
Fluance is a Canadian company that excels in producing sound systems whereas Edifier is a china-based company. Both these brands are quite famous in the audio world in their own way. Between Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB, the Ai40 has better bass and audio but fewer input options.
Edifier R1850 delivers a balanced sound for a pair of bookshelf speakers and has a sub out. Both these speakers come with adequate features and performance compared to their price. Comparing Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB we see that they are quite different from each other but serve the same purpose of being a PC or TV speaker.
Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB: Comparison Table
| Fluance Ai40 | Edifier R1850DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Power in each channel | 35x2 | RMS 16Wx2 + 19Wx2 |
| Amplifier | Class D | Not specified |
| Driver size | 1” tweeter, 5” woofer | 0.75” tweeter, 4” bass |
| Frequency response | 40Hz-20 kHz | 60Hz- 20 kHz |
| Bass port | Sealed | Front port |
| Input | RCA L/R, Bluetooth | RCA, optical input, coaxial, Bluetooth |
| Output | Speaker out | Sub out, speaker out |
| Bluetooth | aptX codec | no |
| THD | <0.3% | 0.5% |
| SNR | Not specified | >85dB |
| Enclosure | MDF | MDF |
| Dimension | 10.9 x 6.5 x 7.6 inches(HxWxD) | 6.06x10x 8.81inches (w x h x d |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
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Quick comparison
- Based on frequency response and woofer size, the Ai40 is expected to produce tighter bass than R1850DB. The enclosure is sealed in the Fluance which contributes to accurate bass.
- The Ai40 doesn’t have a sub-out output so you can’t add a subwoofer for extra bass. Whereas the R1850DB gives you the option
- Fluance has a better quality Bluetooth version that is aptX.
Features in Details
While drawing a contrast line between these two amazing speakers, you need to consider some features. And here we are trying to compare within these features limit.
Design
The Fluance Ai40 has a compact design with round edges but it doesn’t have a grille. Among the three different colors, Lucky Bamboo is mostly used. The enclosure is made of MDF wood which is ideal to reduce any vibration due to resonant frequency. It has an IR sensor at the bottom left of the speaker.
Edifier R1850DB is almost the same size as Ai40. It has different shades of black and comes with a grille. Compared to its previous model R1850BT, it doesn’t attract fingerprints on the surface. Similar to Ai40, it has MDF to produce undisturbed audio.
Placement
The dimensions of both these speakers make them ideal to place on a desktop table beside your computer. However, users also place them beside the TV and they deliver decent audio as TV speakers.
Speaker stands are also the best so that they sound well. For Fluance Ai40 you can use the Sanus® av accessories nf30b and for Edifier R1850DB, the Rockville RHT28 can be used. Without any hassle of an external amplifier, receiver, or several wires, these speakers are suitable for tight places.
Transducer
The Fluance Ai40 has a 1” silk dome tweeter and 5” glass woven woofer instead of cheaper paper drivers.it has a Class D amplifier and all these specs contribute to appropriate midrange, excellent dynamics, and fine-tuned audio.
Comparing Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB, the R1850DB has smaller drivers: 0.75” tweeter and 4” woofer. Although for audiophiles, the driver size may seem minute, but if you are looking for a pair of computer speakers or TV speakers, these will deliver adequate sound.
Audio quality
Among all other features, this is the ultimate thing that matters while choosing a pair of speakers. Fluance Ai40 uses Digital Signal Processing to control the lower range of frequencies. It produces a decent and dynamic midrange with distinct and clear vocals.
The speaker can get very loud without being distorted. Whether you attach it with a PC or TV you will observe a wider soundstage and tonal balance with appropriate treble and bass which is ideal for near-field listening.
The Edifier R1850DB has a 10-degree angle in drivers so that the audio is directed towards your ear. The Dynamic range control (DRC) reduces distortion and produces mid and lows with little boosting. The audio is decent and room-filling as a PC or TV speaker but if you have a large room or are a music-geek then the audio might disappoint you.
The sound can be tuned with the bass and treble settings. The mid-frequencies are detailed and crystal clear. Reviewers and users are quite satisfied with the audio with good bass coming from these speakers.
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Connections
The Edifier R1850DB has more input and output options than Ai40. They have 2RCA (to connect PC, turntable), optical and coaxial input for lossless connection, and Bluetooth with no aptX codec. It also has a subwoofer outline so you can easily add an external subwoofer such as T5 or Infinity R10 in case you like room-shaking bass.
Fluance Ai40 kept its connections simple. It has RCA and Bluetooth where you can use the RCA to connect to computers, turntables, or CD players and for turntables, users have to buy a separate phono preamp. It can stream via Bluetooth aptX for better quality audio streaming with lower latency from smartphones, tab, etc.
Wireless Control
Both speakers come with a wireless remote that helps you control the basic options. Fluance Ai40 has a sleek remote with buttons for volume +/-, play/pause, mute, source selection, adjust bass, and treble. It also includes power on/off.
The R1850DB has a smaller size but similar options like volume +/-, input modes, mute, Bluetooth playback controls. One disadvantage is that the remote doesn’t include the bass/treble adjustments. Also, there are two volume +/- buttons but they do the same thing.
Read: Best Axcess Bluetooth Speakers with Wireless Control
Which One has More Bass?
Along with sound quality, the amount of bass a speaker produces is quite important while listening to songs and movies. These speakers will not be ideal for you if you want thundering or room-shaking bass but will suit you if you like moderate bass.
Based on the criteria, between Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB, the Ai40 should produce more bass. It has a larger woofer than R1850DB and a sealed enclosure along with a frequency response as low as 40Hz. So this will result in tighter and rich bass.
Although the R1850DB has a smaller woofer and can get as low as 60Hz, you can add an additional subwoofer to improve the bass. So the speaker itself doesn’t produce deep and ‘punchier’ bass but when paired with a subwoofer it might exceed the Ai40. It is important to note that the bass and audio will vary with placement. You can check our guide on Ultimate Guide to Speaker Placement.
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What Are The Flaws?
The lack of versatile input options along with a hissing noise in analog input is some of the lacking of Fluance Ai40. They also don’t come with a speaker grille; it doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp or a sub out. The bass is moderate so you will not be thrilled if you like heavy bass.
The R1850DB doesn’t have an aptX codec in Bluetooth which is usually a better version for streaming. The remote doesn’t allow adjusting EQ settings. They don’t produce thrilling bass on their own but may enhance it with the inclusion of a subwoofer.
What is aptX Codec?
Final verdict: which one is best for you?
If you seek affordable speakers that will suffice for day-to-day listening, then the Ai40 and R1850DB are some of the best options. While Edifier is rich in inputs, the audio and bass aren’t exactly for audiophiles. However, the sound quality is warm and lively enough to fill a small room.
The Fluance has aptX Bluetooth and can go lower to generate deep bass but has limited inputs. It has balanced audio and deep bass even at high volume. These speakers give you the option of connecting turntable and CD players.
If you don’t get your expectations too high, then at these prices range these are some of the best studio speakers for a desktop or TV setup. Between Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB, you should get one of these based on your room setup and requirements.
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FAQs of Fluance Ai40 vs Edifier R1850DB
This section is going to discuss some of the basic questions and answers to this subject matter. And these questions are collected by deep research because these are the most asked question all over the internet.
How to use the RCA input in Edifier R1850DB?
Answer: press the knob at the back of the speaker to select RCA mode and then follow these steps:
- Insert audio cable on the PC/AUX input at the back of the speaker
- Attach the other end with your PC or audio source
- Press the PC/AUX mode on the remote. The LED light will flash green, a single time for PC and double for AUX
- The setup is complete. You can now stream music
How to connect Au40 with Amazon Alexa?
Answer: to connect the Ai40 with Amazon Alexa, the Bluetooth pairing mode should be turned on.
- On your mobile go to the Alexa app and select Settings.
- From the list, select the Alexa device you want to do pairing
- Then choose Bluetooth.
- Select Ai40 from the Bluetooth list
Does Edifier R1850DB have full customer satisfaction?
Answer: the listeners who are using this model are quite satisfied with the sound quality coming out from such a speaker size. However, they think the remote should have EQ settings and the design of the remote is low profile.
The double buttons for volume up or down confuses the user and the ‘bubble buttons’ are too close to each other so the wrong one has the chance to get pressed. Usually, it should follow other speaker remotes, where buttons are spaced and volume control buttons have the largest size as we use them the most.
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