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Check out Fluance's new insane-looking beast of a Bluetooth speaker

The Fluance Fi70 is being billed as the first speaker to house dual 8-inch woofers. It's a sculpted 81-pound monster.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews

Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.

Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials

Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

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David Carnoy

Jan. 28, 2016 6:00 a.m. PT

The Fluance Fi70 is on sale now for $500.
Fluance

Canadian audio company Fluance, known for making high-performing speakers at modest prices, has something new and slightly unusual for sale: the giant $500 Fi70 Bluetooth speaker. It's billed as the first wireless speaker to house dual 8-inch drivers and has a hole in its middle. No word yet on international pricing or whether it will be sold to overseas customers, but the price converts to about £350 or AU$705.

Needless to say, the Fi70 isn't a portable speaker and doesn't have a built-in rechargeable battery. Like the other Bluetooth speakers in Fluance's current line-up, you have to plug it in.

Shop for Fluance Fi70 (Black Ash)

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$750 at Walmart

$750 at Amazon

We've liked the company's earlier wireless models, including the more compact Fi50, and look forward to getting this one in for some testing. Though we're not looking forward to unpacking and packing it back up to return after we're through with it. It weighs a whopping 81 pounds (or 37 kg).

Here are the Fi70's key specs, according to Fluance:

Powerful integrated 280-watt amplifier and six-speaker configuration, including dual 8-inch subwoofers.
Exceptional bass response starting as low as 30Hz.
Cabinet design is hand crafted with audio-grade wood, separate enclosures and a thick front baffle to perfect the reproduction of your favorite music.
Wirelessly stream music instantly from Spotify, Pandora, iTunes or your own music library for room-filling, concert-like sound.
AptX-enhanced Bluetooth audio technology.
Feature extras include AM/FM radio, adjustable EQ, touch controls, audio input, digital optical input, LED display, alarm clock and USB port for charging your devices.