ELAC's Navis ARB-51 are a knockout!

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_______________________________________________________________
Reviewed in this video:
ELAC ARB-51 standmount loudspeakers (US$2000/pair)
ELAC Discovery Connect DS-C101W-G streamers (US$399)
More info:
darko.audio/2019/03/a-short-f...
_______________________________________________________________
Andrew Jones interview #1:
darko.audio/2018/05/andrew-th...
Andrew Jones interview #2:
darko.audio/2018/10/andrew-jo...
Manufacturer’s website:
www.elac.com/product/navis-ar...
www.elac.com/product/discover...
_______________________________________________________________
Also featured in this review…
Atacama Nexus 6i:
darko.audio/2018/12/stand-in-...
KEF LS50 Wireless:
darko.audio/2016/12/kef-ls50-...
Dali Callisto 2C:
darko.audio/2019/02/a-short-f...
Mytek Brooklyn Bridge:
darko.audio/2018/11/mytek-tea...
PS Audio DirectStream:
darko.audio/2017/06/ps-audio-...
_______________________________________________________________
Music playlists...
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/user/1230928...
Tidal:
tidal.com/browse/playlist/650...
Qobuz:
play.qobuz.com/playlist/2170864
_______________________________________________________________
Darko.Audio is a web magazine covering new and exciting developments in the audio world and we aren’t afraid of indie rock or techno.
Web: Darko.Audio
Instagram: / darkoaudio
Twitter: / darkoaudio
Facebook: / darkodotaudio

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Опубликовано:

27 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 412

@_Chev_Chelios 5 лет назад

I appreciate how you show the look and feel of these products up close and the nuances of how they actually function when you use them to. You are one of the only audiophiles that seems to realize that we have eyes, too.

@JurajHatina 5 лет назад

Best review for the evening! Thanks Darko! Good to hear that Elacs didn't disappoint.

@connorduke4619 2 года назад

The "kicker" was very well highlighted: that good active speakers usually easily outperform their passive cousins due to having a properly souped up amplifier. I sometimes think we audiophiles are people who like to buy a car chassis, then shop around between numerous underpowered engines and complain why the chassis never quite does what they expected it to.

@qua7771 Год назад

The major benefit of active speakers is that the drivers use separate amplifiers, and that does away with the passive crossovers. Passive crossovers are lossy, and have phase issues. With an active set up they can get a flat response using DSP in the preamp stage. The amps aren't necessarily better, but can operate more efficiently without the crossover soaking up power, and creating artifacts. For the car analogy, if your not getting traction, a bigger engine won't help. I'll agree that people often use inadequate amplification. A good amp will only get you so far though.

@MrLoridin 4 года назад

This review actually tipped me over the edge, I've had my Elac Navis for a few months now and I couldn't be happier.

@anthonytait3428 4 года назад

I'm thinking of trying these. Can I ask what setup you are using?

@BassGoodCall 5 лет назад

KEF LS50W vs ELAC Navis ARB-51 - this is the comparison review I've been waiting for. Nicely done. Thank you.

@christophschuermann6512 5 лет назад

Thanks for the review. I like to hear that the active speaker work fine with no dsp frontend inside. The analog concept is very cool, so everybody can improve the soundquality with better external gear. Very nice!

@mmdusa 5 лет назад

John, you are awesome! Love the way you explain whatever it is you are reviewing. No mumbo-jumbo or really meaningless specs. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have a real lover of "hi-fidelity" music and equipment giving us thorough, no b.s. reaction to the pieces under review. Please keep doing what you do. Cheers!

@markphilpot4981 5 лет назад

Excellent straightforward presentation without hype or pushy bias. You go Darko!

@jaspalkallar5993 5 лет назад

Another great video. I'm always on the lookout for your video's so keep them coming. I do like how you keep your space clean and uncluttered, with all the different speakers and hifi components.

@petergil598 Год назад

Thanks for the Navis review. I viewed/read it along with several others before finally deciding on a purchase. They are now paired with a JL Audio sub (using their high pass filter) and sound tremendous. All the best.

@ashleywatson5101 5 лет назад

Extremely thorough and enjoyable review. These videos continue to improve and impress!

@Anon00731 5 лет назад

Thank you John. Each review improves on the last in depth and dialogue for my tastes. Much Appreciated and now I see why this was taken off the "coming soon" page as I had hoped.

@RexNathanChan 5 лет назад

Love your production, cool apartment, great lighting, love your no bullshit comparison of popular alternatives. Keep the awesome videos coming!

@xburgos1 5 лет назад

Best approach and down to earth real world. Please don't change formats. Its just bliss Great job man. (impeccable taste in music, wow)

@Olli-SYF 5 лет назад

Excellent review. You mentioned the most important key features making the Navis unique: 1) design is good enough that no DSP is needed to "cover up"/correct short comings 2) analog direct, so if you have an excellent DAC then the analog signal does not get digitized again and future proof 3) easy subwoofer integration because of the high pass option

@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 5 лет назад

you crack me up John great job man and thank you for your hard work and dedication on audio reviews really appreciate the education you bring to audio it's all about having fun and enjoying our passion for music play back

@amirjubran1845 5 лет назад

Heard the tower version of these at the Toronto audio fest. They were demoing it with Thanks to You by Boz Scaggs. The volume was kept very low but it sounded very impressive. A natural, balanced presentation that felt very easy to listen to

@BastianUllr 5 лет назад

I was there, yes, great sound. However, it goes down to the D2 and that was about it. It lacked punch and really really needs a SUB for classical music. Other than that, great speakers! They had really nice timbre, and they disappeared on a hotel room... that's amazing!

@kenmersereau8404 5 лет назад

The scalability (to source) feature was a brilliant call by Andrew. Thanks for calling that out. Another fantastic and informative video review.

@simonguilmain8834 5 лет назад

Great review. I meet Andrew Jones last weekend at the Audio Show in Montréal (QC, Canada) and he confirmed that the drivers of the Navis were anew and better design then the one in the Unifi B5.

@kaneda7katsuragi 5 лет назад

Really like the new videos. Been reading your articles for years, part of the reason I own passive LS50's and schiit gear. Keep it up!

@joshuanickels7729 5 лет назад

you've just got this way with making these Navis speakers look absolutely stunning... added to my want list.

@davidhadfield8571 5 лет назад

Well structured review John - easy to see the differences. Love the professionalism of the production. Been reading your stuff since the early days of you just pretty much reviewing DACS, you've always remained "true to source" lol

@brentwalker8596 5 лет назад

Super review. Great technical descriptions with real-world relatability. I'll be checking out your channel in the future.

@brunzmeflugen 2 года назад

Its nice to hear perspective from someone who listens to electronic music as well. Many different textures than on synthetic sounds.

@JM-qn7gf 5 лет назад

John, you are so correct about how well the Navis scale. I recently read about audiophile fuses on an audio forum and tonight I just installed a $50 audiophile FUSE on my DDC that sits between my computer and DAC. The SQ coming out of the Navis noticeably kicked up another notch. I'm not joking. I never would have imagined a fuse would do this and that Navis would be able to communicate through it's speakers what seems like it would be such a subtle tweak is amazing.

@fogg404 5 лет назад

Great review and music selection. Pretty cool how versatile the Elac's are for future upgrades.

@linfreeman5574 2 года назад

Thank you so much John , you have got me really interested in Good quality audio again - 30 years + from my tinkering days ! I will definitely be guided by you on all future purchases

@normalman6686 5 лет назад

Best hi-Fi review channel on RU-vid.

@stephenscharf6293 5 лет назад

Excellent review. I've been following Andrew Jones' career closely since he left KEF and went to TAD/Pioneer and now ELAC. Andrew is a true genius, IMHO, when it comes to designing loudspeakers. His TAD CR-1 is one of the finest speakers I've heard at any price. I have his $99/pr Pioneer SP-BS22-LR for my bedroom sytem and they are pretty amazing, too. This was an excellent review, and I liked very much how you compared the ELACs to other comparably priced market offereings, something that the traditional "print media" mags never do (they actually have policies about not doing that). Your reviews have much more credibility for me in this regard. Great explanation of the system and its capabilities for expansion. Thanks again. Oh, and BTW, I love your Fujifilm X100T or F? (I three X-mount Fujis also: X-H1, GS X-T2 and X100F). Cheers, Stephen

@DigitalPhilosophers 5 лет назад

Dear John, I love your approach on reviewing gear. As you are living in Germany please show us Nubert NuPro X and Elacs German Line up ➡️ Elac Vela. All of the well known reviewer only talk about Andrew Jones‘ speakers. But this is not Elacs Highend departure. Elacs HighEnd is Vela and Air-X 403 with their newest Jet 5 ♥️

@carolineleonard8214 5 лет назад

Once again a great presentation and review. Cudos to the team. Keep on Keeping on with your style Mr D. It does you proud. Even though I'm not in the market for this type of speaker you have made me curious about the floorstanding version. I appreciate how technological improvements are trickling down to improve lower priced items. The value these days is fantastic when compared to what I paid in the 70s & 80s for basic 'steam driven' components (even when considering inflationary increases).

@weedr 5 лет назад

Brilliant review. Love your take on these speakers and your review style in general

@pwhittak88 5 лет назад

For the first time ever I loved the advertisement. Spread the word, Tidal has competition (and Roon is awesome too).

@iansharp1171 5 лет назад

Very nice review as always. I always have to get comfy with a nice smooth cup of coffee to watch your excellent presentations!

@MrDeaweber 5 лет назад

Love this guy's aproach to reviewing .his style for me is what I have been looking for. Very exciting brand of speaker , very enjoyable review . Edit - I just took a quick glance at a handful of the other comments below = Apparently I'm in good company and I'm still thinking normally after reading so many other similar comments - more important is that we apparently really do have a great reviewer here .

@piotrosinski-petestradamus6204 5 лет назад

I really like your reviews. Very informative!

@fabferrari 4 года назад

I am in the verge to replace my budget monitors and I am looking forward to passing the COVID-19 crisis to go to the newly appointed China ELAC distributor’s showroom to test those speakers. I have a quite strong personality and, in this infodemic world, I normally don’t listen too much about anyone’s comments about SQ but my ears; anyhow I must say that I do like your style very much and you are amongst the few reviewer that I follow. Thanks for your passionate dedication to this hobby (for me).

@PerfDayToday 5 лет назад

Wow, active (analog) loudspeakers with DIP switches on the back to adjust crossover slopes, tilts, etc... Just like my Meridian M20’s that I use daily, and have had for decades. 😎

@theovanmelis2064 5 лет назад

Very good review, so I'm very interested in these Elac's, going to listen were they can be heard!

@yeahthatsright33 5 лет назад

Good work on this review man. I really think your actually improving even further! Take this for what you will and I dont mean it as an insult by ANY means (cuz some crazy people think it might be), but your like a the super high end Zeos in terms of objectivity but with your own unique style. There’s really nobody else on RU-vid giving these reviews with this production value with this tier of gear

@chris_jorge 4 года назад

first timer. so pleasantly surprised by your music test selection. subbed. cheers m8!

@Kbaum752 5 лет назад

Great review and more great music suggestions

@Scarbir 5 лет назад

Wow, that's a raving review. On my shortlist!

@arkdark5554 5 лет назад

Doing a great job as ever John...Thank you.

@ToddCaldwell1 5 лет назад

Another great Darko review! Thank you.

@isaacsykes3 5 лет назад

Great review, I really love that Andrew Jones and Elac allowed the streaming DAC to be defeated, that's just a genius move and something that I wish more companies would adopt. On another note, can you please review the Nativ Sound Vita and matching DAC. Thanks and keep up the great work.

@stu3232 5 лет назад

Been eagerly waiting for an English review of these! And from someone who enjoys proper electronic music! As a previous ls50 passive owner I can’t wait to hear these with your impression that they image even better than the ls50’s. Thanks for this review mate much appreciated. You should check out Djrums “portrait with firewood” album, and Skee Masks “Compro” album. There’s a few tracks on those I think you’ll love. Thanks again great review

@MeOdioAudio 5 лет назад

Very good review, thank you M. Darko.

@matthiasstuer 5 лет назад

Absolutely wonderful review. I have them myself and I agreed with every word. However I do think coupled with primo sources they leave the LS50W behind in most aspects (had them in my room as well). The mids are better and the bass is on another level. Imaging is the best I've ever heard on a speaker this size. I absolutely love them and I will try to scale them as good as I can in my acoustically treated room.

@mrjackkentable 4 года назад

Love your approach , your video editing and how well you have a gift sir, Thank you

@idteachable 5 лет назад

Not sure if featuring Talk Talk was by accident or design but RIP Mark Hollis.

@mgsee 5 лет назад

Hearing just the first few seconds of the music on these ELAC speakers made me stop what I was doing and pay attention. The thing that struck me was the tonal quality of the sound - it sound is just so very pleasant to listen to! Of course I know I am only listening to them via RU-vid and played back through my desktop system which consists of a Mac mini, Schitt modi DAC and Audioengine A2s, but I really like what I was hearing! They indeed very convivial!

@regdwight616 5 лет назад

No offense but your discernment of Elac speakers is useless unless you own them yourself. Listening on computer speakers to judge a pair means nothing.

@dougbenjestorf280 5 лет назад

Thank You ! I have been very curious about these speakers and there comparison to The Kef's.

@gambit688 5 лет назад

It's like watching the smarter. better equipped version of myself that has no kids.

@MarcChevalier 3 года назад

I love the Talk Talk 'Myrrhman' guitar chord at around 4:50!

@c_o_l_m 5 лет назад

Lovely review, John. Considering ELAC's recent pricing, I thought to myself, oh, maybe $1000 for the Navis? I wasn't expecting $2k at all.

@stevesnipes9062 5 лет назад

I love all your videos. These speakers look great. Much love and success to you.

@HellTime101 5 лет назад

Excellent review, bonus points for Boards Of Canada and Autechre. Sounds like we have very similar taste in music.

@thesoundizerav4956 5 лет назад

Superb video and relevant comprehensive points. Brilliant

@lmikek 5 лет назад

A very clever approach by Andrew Jones! And John, very fine review!

@thewebart 5 лет назад

Awesome review as usual. Love your channel.

@HarshKumar-ts9mu 5 лет назад

Excellent Review. Now I don't need to what any other review. Keet it up

@Diatonic5th 5 лет назад

Well done! Best audio channel on RU-vid.

@cleanyourears 5 лет назад

Great review! Jana's touches are really nice. Cheers

@EARSPACE 5 лет назад

❤️

@rotaks1 5 лет назад

John, as usual, this was a fantastic review. I have been holding off trying active speakers, but this review might make me change my mind. Other than your analysis of how they sound like its also the ability to play with different equipment with these actives that caught my attention.

@petelightedge7399 4 года назад

I’m a new convert to the channel and really enjoy your style, just one teeny tiny thing it would be great if you could just mention at some point how much things cost to help me understand if I might actually have a shot at owning them or I’m just enjoying the video, in and of itself 👍

@coguglielmi 5 лет назад

Can't agree more: being an audiophile is not about seeking the absolute sound - which IMHO doesn't even exist even for oneself - but it's about the journey not the destination, as you put it: its about 'playing around' with gear, incrementally. We're all grown-up kids playing with our expensive toys 😁!

@jackanderson2773 4 года назад

I went with the Elac . The kefs have had issues . Thanks for this great review btw .

@guz 5 лет назад

I would subscribe twice if I could! Love your style and honesty. Thanks

@kristofferbjerke428 4 года назад

Thanks for another great video, really like your approach! Quite a while since this video was released, but I would love to see the B&W formation Duo compared to Elac/Dali/Kef.

@JH-ty3ic 4 года назад

Truly excellent vid. Cheers you've inspired me, now I'm retired I've more time than money but it will be fun to tinker my way to mid-range hi-fi heaven.

@functionaldoc5054 5 лет назад

I heard this speaker last year at RMAF and was amazed how good they sounded and the low end was amazing. I asked Andrew did he have a sub hooked up and he said no. Alot speaker for $2k.

@stevenswall 5 лет назад

Agreed. They even ended up playing some modern stuff by Post Malone and I was surprised that it had plenty of bass. Shook the curtains behind it with the port action. The most bass I've heard from a 5.25".

@chipsnmydip 5 лет назад

Nice, Boards and Autechre!

@larskarlsson9102 5 лет назад

THE best reviews anywhere!!!

@alsayers 5 лет назад

John I do like your approach to all this.

@Michael-xz1nk 5 лет назад

Nice to see more and more active speaker options. I suspect most every company will offer one in the future. Prices will hopefully drop too given the fear of having all your eggs in one basket.

@disko.kommando 4 года назад

You have impeccable musical taste!!! Ladytron and Board of Canada very nice!! Did you also say Autechre? Impressive

@davehwang6815 5 лет назад

Bravo! I enjoy watching your videos!

@wilburdesouza 5 лет назад

Hahahaaa! I just noticed your avatar on the bottom right speaking in the girls voice at the beginning of the video :D

@blitzbbffl 5 лет назад

I dig this video, and always have liked your approach.

@DarkPa1adin 4 года назад

totally agree with people's opinion that you are one of the go-to person for audio!

@myk1200s 5 лет назад

john great video, so out of all the streaming audio reviews you have done so far what seems to be your favorite set up at this time? by the way the ELACS look incredible!!

@thesimulacre 5 лет назад

I wasn't going to suggest this, but then you mentioned Autechre, so I know you can handle it. I feel that if you're doing all this listening on such beautiful systems you may as well hear the album Deliverance, by Culprate.

@JamesJones-xv1rr 4 года назад

Great review! Thanks.

@neillevy4087 4 года назад

Brilliant review, thanks

@johnbricks5633 5 лет назад

Excellent review on the Navis. Kindly review ELAC CARINA and ELAC VELA. Thanks

@markd4292 5 лет назад

Thank you for the Elac Navis ARB 51 review. Thinking of getting them as a beginner system. I am exhausted on trying to make up my mind on what speakers to get, and what amp, preamp, etc to get. Going active speakers as with these speakers will be a good starting point perhaps....Although, still back in my head will always be the thought: what am I missing out on with Klipsch Hersey lll, Forte lll, and/or JBL L 100, or Studio 590, or Stage 190? I am a horn head, and love the physicality of high efficient speakers bring to the table. And JBL, well I have grown up with them and always loved their presentation. Yes, I can still honesty say these things even after listening to numerous speakers like Totem, B&W, Dynaudio, and others....Klipsch and JBL just rule my world....But Andrew Jones is a madman and I really dig his philosophy on audio so I think I'll demo them and if I like, then that's the one.

@deannalopez8109 5 лет назад

I think the Navis are better than a beginner system because they scale really well. So when you upgrade an external DAC or DDC or preamp the sound quality ramps up too.

@markd4292 5 лет назад

@@deannalopez8109 Deanna, do you have the Navis? I guess you do. Not that many if any places near me have them to demo.

@markd4292 5 лет назад

@@deannalopez8109 Hey so I Can add a preamp to an active speaker.(?) I have been wondering if I could add a preamp to active speakers (any active speaker...with appropriate out/ins of course). I have my eye on a tube preamp and would like to add it to the active speaker, and then get a source into the pre. Reason being: I guess I like to eventually get passive speakers, especially the Klipsch Hersey lll and use the system I build for the active speakers to it...just to save some cash...you know, not having to buy a separate speaker And amp. Comments?

@sunefred 5 лет назад

Wow, you make great reviews. You deserve a lot more subsribers. Now you have one more!

@stephenscharf6293 5 лет назад

Two more! :-)

@andyvarga7680 4 года назад

3 more

@lazarosnikolaidis256 5 лет назад

Once again you nailed it! Great video. And a glorious result (as happened with KEFs AND ELACs), ACTIVES - PASSIVES : 1 - 0 !

@ThePapa41 5 лет назад

Great presentation, thorough and very informative! Louis S.

@baodu7768 5 лет назад

Great combo PS Audio +Elac

@pblnlpalu 5 лет назад

Great review!

@davidnickel3949 5 лет назад

as always great vid ty

@mariuszkrynsky2004 2 года назад

My future speaker I hope. I just bought my first integrated amp adudiolab so I'm gonna stick with that for a year .

@MrGfunk215 5 месяцев назад

Get the deviant phantom II’s for $99 more, they’re TEN times the speaker of the Navis….

@macman5914 5 лет назад

They really seem to have scored a HIT with their Swiss Army Knife approach to these speakers , They look pleasing to the eye , future proofed , and oh so versatile , its really refreshing the different approach taken here , in the end if the market doesn't more forward to reflect and embrace the burgeoning new technology I'm pretty sure punters will walk away from the non visionaries .

@georgesmith3022 4 года назад

very well done review

@shivraman7495 4 года назад

As always, beautifully done! Any thought on how these compare with the Devialet Reactor 900 in stereo configuration that you reviewed as well? I am keen to simplify my complex system and go the minimalist route but don't want to do something I would regret shortly after selling everything on AudioGon!

@carforumwanker 5 лет назад

Excellent presentation.

@kimmi9935 5 лет назад

Great videos. Btw, May I ask the name of the bossa song played at 0:50 secs? （it's not in the music playlist）

@deannalopez8109 5 лет назад

I also compared the Navis and LS50 wireless in my home and picked the Navis for sound quality as well as for being capable of pure analog. I don't want to play vinyl through a DAC and I also don't want to be confined to what the internal DAC on LS50 wireless is capable of. If I upgrade my external DAC I don't want another internal DAC limiting what my upgraded DAC can do. I also found that the Navis scales really well as you stated. For example when I changed my DDC I immediately heard a sonic difference with the Navis. I agree the mid-range is fantastic and better on the Navis and that was one of the factors for me in keeping Navis over LS50 wireless.