When you first experience high-fidelity music, you will discover that your past listening experiences contained hidden elements that you only recognize through direct musical exposure. Listeners require only a few minutes of Elac Navis ARF-51 audio to identify sound differences between this system and standard bookshelf speakers.
For many years, we have known bookshelf speakers through our experience with the KEF LS50 and Dynaudio Focus 200 XD which created a sound system that met our requirements. The first time we listened to music with the Elac Navis ARF-51, we immediately realized what we had missed. The sound produced a combination of loudness and power while presenting midrange sounds through greater detail and clarity which left us momentarily speechless. The two ARF-51 speakers we examined featured a Gloss Black finishing option which used a shiny black coating. The speaker system possesses such attractive design that we became anxious about potential cup damage from guests who might use the shiny section above the speakers as a table. The design features smooth beveled edges which meet at the rear to create an appearance of both elegance and strength. The gray base contains all electronic components of the system while displaying them through its transparent design.
ELAC ARF-51-GB Navis Premium Powered Floorstanding Tower Speaker – Each (Gloss Ebony Emara):
The system contains a 4-inch aluminum cone coaxial midrange driver which works together with a central 1-inch soft dome tweeter to produce unified midrange and high-frequency sound output. The system contains three 5.25-inch aluminum cone woofers which operate within a large enclosure that contains two dedicated resonance chambers to produce deep and powerful yet precisely controlled bass sound.
The system amplifies each frequency range through three different methods which include a 40W class-AB amplifier for the tweeter and a 100W BASH amplifier for midrange sounds and a 160W BASH amplifier which drives three woofers. The total speaker power system reaches 300W which enables users to play any musical style without power limitations.
Unlike many active speakers using DSP, Elac opts for a traditional analog approach. The active crossover uses analog components, allowing users to upgrade upstream components such as DACs, preamps, or turntables, and the speakers will clearly reproduce the difference. This is a major plus for audiophiles who still appreciate fine-tuning in their systems.
The rear of the speaker features EQ switches for bass, mid, and treble, allowing for adjustment according to the room’s acoustics. There is also a high-pass filter (Flat/60Hz/80Hz) when combined with a subwoofer, along with RCA or XLR options to suit various systems. Users can also connect wirelessly via the Elac Discovery Connect DS-C101W G transmitter.
The Elac Discovery Connect DS-C101W G is a wireless music player designed as the perfect bridge between your digital music library and your audio system. With Roon Ready integration and support for popular connection standards such as Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and Bluetooth, Discovery Connect offers maximum flexibility in enjoying music. Users can easily stream from their phones, tablets, or local music servers while maintaining pristine sound quality.
More than just a music player, Discovery Connect boasts a minimalist, elegant design with a compact size, easily fitting into any entertainment space. In particular, its compatibility with Elac Navis systems and other active speaker lines makes it a smart music control center, providing a convenient, modern, yet audiophile-quality listening experience.
We played the album Somewhere by Keith Jarrett Trio. Immediately, Gary Peacock’s contrabass sounded fuller, the bass slightly too thick, but a little EQ adjustment on the back of the speakers fixed it. Interestingly, those tiny switches were really effective; just a -1dB change made the soundstage tighter and more pleasant.
When we switched to Youn Sun Nah’s Jockey Full of Bourbon, we were surprised by the sharpness of her vocals. At times, the breathy, hissing sounds in her voice were a little harsh, but in return, the entire intensity and mesmerizing whisper of the Korean singer were reproduced incredibly vividly. Xavier Navarre’s Bongo drums pounded directly into the living room, while Lars Danielsson’s bass sounded tight, powerful, and impactful.
We noticed the most significant difference when listening to the drums and low-pitched string instruments. With three active woofers in a large enclosure, the ARF-51 delivers deep, powerful, yet clean bass, free from muddiness or muddiness. When the volume is increased, the music doesn’t feel compressed but rather expands, filling the adjacent living room and dining room with its powerful sound.
Especially with Lavinia Meijer’s harp piece by Philip Glass, the bass range is resonant, sustained, and incredibly controlled. This is the moment we knew for sure that bookshelf speakers could never deliver this experience.
We then switched to the higher-end Lumin T2. Immediately, the ARF-51 showed its subtlety, revealing all the upgrades. The soundstage was wider, instruments were more clearly separated, and cymbals were brighter but not harsh. This led us to believe that Elac’s analog active design was an extremely smart choice, both convenient and paving the way for future upgrades.
It’s safe to say that the Elac Navis ARF-51 delivers both audiophile sophistication and the explosive, emotional energy of a three-way floorstanding speaker. While the wind noise can be a bit harsh in some recordings, overall, these speakers have become incredibly addictive to listen to.
Specifications
| Speaker Type: | 3-way floorstanding speaker, active |
| Tweeter: | 1 x 1-inch soft dome, coaxially mounted with the midrange |
| Midrange: | 1 x 4-inch aluminum cone |
| Woofer: | 3 x 5.25-inch aluminum cones |
| Crossover Frequencies: | 260 Hz / 2,2 kHz |
| Frequency Response: | 43 Hz – 28 kHz |
| Total Amplifier Power: | 300 W |
| Woofer Amplification: | 160 W (BASH Amplifier) |
| Midrange Amplification: | 100 W (BASH Amplifier) |
| Tweeter Amplification: | 40 W (Class AB Amplifier) |
| Inputs: | RCA / XLR / AirX2 Wireless |
| Cabinet Finish: | Gloss Black, Gloss White, Gloss Ebony Veneer |
| Included Accessories: | Elac Discovery Connect DS-C101W G |
| Dimensions: | 102,5 x 18,9 x 24 cm |
| Weight: | 21 kg per speaker |
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
