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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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Pinpoint imaging and surprising bass give the ARB51 a big‑room presence from a compact cabinet, pairing a sweet midrange with fast, extended treble. ELAC’s active three‑way design uses an analog active crossover and tri‑amp amplification for 300W total, while flexible inputs and optional AirX2 wireless add convenience; reviewers at HomeTheaterHifi and HiFi Choice praise its dynamics and musicality.
Pros
- Exceptionally precise, point‑source imaging from the concentric tweeter/mid driver yields stable, detailed placement of vocals and instruments.
- Surprising low‑end extension and punch for a compact standmount — reviewers report solid bass down to ~50Hz with good rhythmic grip.
- Analog three‑way active topology with dedicated 160W/100W/40W stages (300W total) delivers superb dynamics, very low noise and revealing transparency.
- Refined fit‑and‑finish and flexible connectivity (RCA/XLR, HP filter and driver trim switches, Discovery/AirX2 wireless option) make it versatile in many systems.
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Cons
- Wireless setup can be finicky initially; reviewers noted pairing/setup glitches with the Discovery Connect module.
- Low‑mid warmth or slight midbass bloom is placement‑dependent — some listeners may need toe‑in or distance adjustments to tighten the midbass.
- A minor operational quirk reported on some units: a transient thump when the speaker enters sleep mode.
Sound Quality
91/100
Bass
90/100
For its size, the ARB-51s deliver impressively deep and weighty bass (reviewers note extension to ~41–50Hz), with several reviewers calling the low end 'surprisingly deep' and 'thunderous' for a compact stand‑mount. SoundStage and HiFi Choice praised the substantial bottom octave and rhythmic grip, though a couple of reviewers warned of slight midbass bloom/muddiness depending on placement and the lowest notes being a touch soft.
Mid
92/100
Reviewers consistently praised a rich, full-bodied midrange and natural vocal timbre — described as 'sweet,' 'clear,' and 'beautifully conveyed' (TAS, HomeTheaterHifi, SoundStage). The concentric mid/tweeter integration was singled out for seamless blending and excellent tonal balance, giving strong presence and realism to solo piano and vocals.
Treble
89/100
Treble is extended, detailed and smooth — 'gorgeous' cymbals and fast transients were repeatedly noted (SoundStage, HomeTheaterHifi). A few reviews (HiFi Choice) felt the very highest frequencies lack the silkiness of more expensive designs, but generally reviewers cited refinement without harshness or sibilance.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Imaging is a standout: the concentric driver gives point‑source coherence, very focused images and a sense of music 'emerging from a jet‑black background' (SoundStage, HiFi Choice, HomeTheaterHifi). Reviewers noted wide, stable stereo placement and excellent separation even off-axis.
Dynamics
93/100
The active three‑way topology and 300W of amplification produce outstanding micro- and macro‑dynamics; reviewers highlighted fast, articulate transients and effortless level changes, with the speakers able to play very loud without strain (SoundStage, TAS, Audiophilepure). Dynamic shading and expressive nuance were repeatedly praised.
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Build Quality
90/100
Cabinet fit/finish and materials earn high marks — glossy paint, a solid aluminium base and detailed lacquer work were repeatedly praised (Alpha Audio, HiFi Choice). A few minor operational quirks were mentioned (transient thump entering sleep, wireless pairing glitches), but overall craftsmanship and solidity are strong.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Generous onboard features for an active monitor: RCA/XLR inputs, AirX² wireless (Discovery Connect compatibility), selectable HP filter, and driver-level dip switches for room tuning. Tri-amplification (160W bass /100W mid /40W treble) and analogue active crossovers add flexibility; wireless module pairing quirkiness was noted but functionality is broad.
Value for Money
94/100
Across reviews the ARB‑51 is repeatedly framed as exceptional value — 'rockets straight to the top,' 'electrifying performance and value,' and 'you don't have to scale back expectations' for the ~$2k–$2.3k class. Reviewers emphasized the rarity of such musical completeness, imaging and bass in a compact active speaker at this price.
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