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ELAC ARF51
Navis ARF51 Powered Floorstand Loudspeakers
Designed from the ground up, the full-range, monitor-quality Navis Powered Floorstand Speaker features ELAC concentric-driver technology to deliver unsurpassed mid- and high-frequency performance, coupled with a custom aluminum woofer for truly impressive bass, all in one compact, elegant package. Each of the three transducers is powered by its own dedicated analog amplifier, with a selection of RCA or XLR balanced inputs.
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 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 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
89/100
Thunderous bass and a roomy, tightly focused presentation define the ARF51, with Gordon Brockhouse praising its “new reference speakers” status and James Parker calling its wired performance exceptional. Built-in amplification, flexible inputs, and room-tuning switches make this active floorstander both powerful and adaptable, though some recordings can sound a little hot up top.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers deep, impactful bass with real scale, body, and room-filling authority.
Produces a wide, deep soundstage with very strong imaging and clear separation between instruments.
Sounds lively and effortless at higher levels, with fast transients and excellent dynamic punch.
Built-in amplification and rear-panel EQ/high-pass options make it flexible for different rooms and system setups.
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Cons
Treble can sound a bit hot or hard on some recordings, especially female vocals and sibilants.
Wireless playback is good, but reviewers note it is less open and slightly softer than wired analogue use.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Reviewers consistently praise the ARF51 for combining big, weighty low end with strong clarity and a lively presentation. The main caveat is that the treble can turn a little hot on some recordings, especially female vocals, but the overall impression is of a highly capable, musically engaging speaker with real scale and drive.
Bass
94/100
The ARF51 is repeatedly described as having kick-ass bass, with impressive body, scale, ease, and real slam. Reviewers say it can rumble organ pedals, pressurize a room, and deliver deep, impactful low frequencies, though one reviewer noted some blur and overhang without EQ and a little faintness on the very lowest notes.
Mid
90/100
Midrange comments are very positive overall, with voices described as having excellent presence and instrumental timbres as close to ideal. Reviewers also praise the speaker’s clarity and the way lower notes do not obscure articulation in the upper registers, though one listener preferred a touch more bite from the midrange switch.
Treble
84/100
The treble is generally described as clean, detailed, and capable of good sheen, but several reviews mention that it can sound a bit hot or hard on sibilants and female voices. That keeps it from feeling fully effortless, even though there is enough openness and sparkle to satisfy when the recording is friendly.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Imaging and stage presentation draw strong praise, with reviewers describing a wide, deep soundstage and very clearly differentiated instrumental positions. The concentric driver layout is credited with strong focus and integration, and the speaker is said to present music with convincing three-dimensional separation.
Dynamics
93/100
Dynamics are a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly noting fast transients, superb articulation, and very little compression at higher volumes. The ARF51 is described as able to play loudly with ease, deliver controlled punch on drums, and keep complex music energetic without sounding strained.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviewers describe the cabinets as solid and reassuringly well made, with good fit and finish, a stable plinth, and generally impeccable cosmetic execution. There is little criticism of construction itself, aside from fingerprints being visible on glossy finishes and no deep discussion of long-term durability.
Value for Money
89/100
Value comments are quite favorable for a speaker in this price class. Reviewers call it a screaming bargain, say it easily justifies the investment, and note that built-in amplification and active design help it offer strong performance versus conventional separates-based alternatives.
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Authorized dealers for ELAC ARF51
- 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