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ELAC ARB51
Navis ARB51 Powered Bookshelf Loudspeakers
Navis Series Powered Speakers
Sublime sound served up with serious power.
ELAC’s new Navis Series answers every minimalist audiophile’s dream of a no-compromise powered speaker driven by best-in-class amplifiers that are truly deserving of the name “high end.” While most powered speakers rely on Class D digital designs, ELAC engineers build in 300 watts of pure analog amplification—for maximum power and exceptional sound. Add the Discovery Connect wireless transmitter to your system, and Navis becomes a wireless speaker that lets you enjoy streaming content without a cable in sight.
Tri-Amp Pure Analog Amplifier
A Powerful Trifecta.
Inside each Navis Bookshelf Loudspeaker is a Tri-Amp Pure Analog Amplifier, employing three separate amps for each transducer: a 160-watt BASH AB amplifier for the woofer, a 100-watt BASH AB amplifier for the midrange, and a 40-watt Class AB amplifier for the tweeter. A total amplifier power of 300 watts ensures that each transducer is optimally—and amply—powered, eliminating clipping and crossover distortion, and driving each transducer with authority. Specs like a 110 dBA signal-to-noise ratio and 100 uV noise floor could only come from such audiophile-quality amps!
Flexible Connections and EQ
Integrate Navis into your setup.
Local inputs include balanced XLR, RCA, and Wireless, when used with ELAC’s Discovery Connect wireless transmitter to stream Discovery, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, AirPlay and Roon. Just switch Wireless “Off” for a no-compromise analog input and output.
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
89/100
Value for Money
91/100
Compact yet commanding, the ARB51 delivers a rich midrange, pinpoint imaging, and surprisingly deep bass for its size. Reviewers at HiFi Choice and SoundStage Solo praise its natural, expressive sound and active design, while The Absolute Sound highlights its dynamic, full-bodied balance.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Impressive bass reach and punch for a compact stand-mount, with solid output down to around 50Hz and enough authority for most music without a sub.
Natural, sweet, and full-bodied midrange that handles vocals and acoustic instruments with convincing body and clarity.
Excellent imaging and soundstage focus, with pinpoint placement and strong separation that makes the speakers disappear well.
Lively dynamics and high-volume composure, helped by the built-in amplification and active three-way design.
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Cons
Treble is clean and extended, but some reviewers find it less silky and less refined than top-tier rivals.
Placement can matter in the bass, with some reports of slight midbass warmth or a touch of muddiness at the very bottom.
Wireless setup is convenient, but one review noted pairing could be glitchy and the app felt behind the times.
One reviewer noted a transient thump when the speakers entered sleep mode.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe the ARB51 as unusually complete and exciting for a compact powered stand-mount, with strong bass reach, clean midrange tone, and very stable imaging. The main caveats are mild rather than serious: a touch of midbass warmth in some rooms and treble that is refined and open, though not quite as silky as the very best high-end rivals.
Bass
92/100
For a small bookshelf speaker, the bass is repeatedly praised as surprisingly deep, robust, and weighty. Reviewers mention solid output to around 50 Hz, no trouble with the lowest notes of bass guitar, and enough bottom-end authority that many listeners would not feel compelled to add a subwoofer, though a couple of writers note slight midbass fatness or a bit of muddiness at the very bottom.
Mid
94/100
The midrange is a major strength, with multiple reviewers calling it sweet, natural, full-bodied, and very clear. Vocals, piano, strings, and acoustic instruments are said to come through with good body and precision, and the concentric driver integration is described as seamless.
Treble
91/100
Treble is widely described as clean, extended, and free of harshness or glare. Reviewers like the clarity and ease of the top end, while noting only that it is not quite as delicate, silky, or high-end-sounding as the finest competitors.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Imaging is one of the standout qualities here. Reviewers repeatedly mention pinpoint placement, strong separation, a focused stereo image, and a convincing sense of space that makes the speakers disappear unusually well for their size.
Dynamics
94/100
The ARB51 is consistently praised for sounding lively, dynamic, and capable at higher levels. Reviewers note quick changes in level, strong punch, and the ability to stay composed and expressive when played loudly, with especially good microdynamic nuance and no sense of strain from the built-in amplification.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
Reviewers like the solid feel, secure base, and very attractive finish, with comments about the glossy paintwork and the absence of visible screws. There is not much discussion of internal parts or long-term durability, but the overall impression is of a carefully made, well-finished product.
Value for Money
91/100
At around $2,000 a pair, reviewers generally feel the ARB51 earns its asking price by combining active amplification, strong performance, and real convenience in one package. Several writers call it impressive value for the money, hard to scale back expectations on, or simply not unreasonable at the price given how complete the result is.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ELAC ARB51
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 122 more verified dealers