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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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Punchy, room-filling deep bass and tight, controlled decay define the ELAC ARF-51, a slim three-way active floorstander with dedicated amps per driver and a concentric mid/tweeter for focused imaging. Reviewers including Gordon Brockhouse and HiFi News praised its authority, dynamics and upgrade‑friendly analog signal path, while wired use yields the clearest, most open presentation.
Pros
- Powerful, authoritative low end with slam, weight and controlled decay for large-scale music and organ/pedal notes.
- Focused imaging and wide, layered soundstage driven by the concentric mid/tweeter and dedicated per‑driver amplification.
- Flexible analog active design with rear-panel LF/MF/HF EQ and high-pass filter preserves upgrade paths and eases room tuning.
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Cons
- Upper-mid/treble can sound a touch hot in some rooms, making sibilants and consonants more pronounced on certain recordings.
- Wireless (AirX2) operation trades some openness and focus versus a wired connection.
Sound Quality
93/100
Bass
96/100
Triple 5.25" woofers in two sub-enclosures with 160W BASH bass amp produce deep, authoritative low end praised repeatedly by reviewers. Some notes: lowest octave can be a bit faint on the speakers alone (spec FR 43Hz) and occasional transient overhang was reported, but overall bass body, slam and decay receive consistent high praise; pairs well with a sub for the very deepest extension.
Mid
92/100
Coincident-mounted 4" aluminum mid and dedicated 100W amp yield clear, well-integrated midband with strong vocal presence and coherence through the crossover. Reviewers noted slight smoothness/generosity (some used +1dB mid setting) but praised articulation and natural timbres.
Treble
88/100
1" soft-dome concentric tweeter provides detail, sheen and good dispersion, but multiple reviews flagged a touch of upper-mid/high-frequency hardness—sibilants and consonants can sound a bit hot in some rooms. Cymbals and snares were generally satisfying with good snap and sheen.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Concentric mid/tweeter and cabinet design produce a wide, deep soundstage with focused, stable images and excellent instrument placement. Reviewers repeatedly described a broad, layered presentation and improved imaging with room/treatment adjustments.
Dynamics
93/100
Strong micro- and macro-dynamics with fast attacks and extended decays; speakers can play loud with authority and low compression thanks to dedicated amplifiers per driver. A few listeners noted slight bass transient overhang without EQ or sub, but overall dynamics were described as exciting and controlled.
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Build Quality
92/100
Solid, well-finished cabinets with bolt-on stabilising plinths and thoughtful internal electronics placement; samples described as reassuringly solid. Gloss finishes show fingerprints, but fit, finish and mechanical execution were praised.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Fully active design with RCA/XLR inputs, AirX2 wireless option, high-pass filter (Flat/60/80Hz), LF/MF/HF EQ switches and gain control; pairing with Elac transmitter and sub via AirX2 supported. Ample connectivity and useful analog EQ options for placement/room tuning.
Value for Money
90/100
At the reviewed price (~$4k/pair across reviews) multiple reviewers called the ARF-51s a strong value—'screaming bargain' for their capability given built-in amplification and performance. High asking price is offset by the all-in-one active design and level of sonic performance.
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