ELAC Debut B5

If you are like me, you are always searching for the sweet spot when purchasing audio gear. These ELAC B5s produce the best sound I've ever heard from this size cabinet and at this price point. And Crutchfield was willing to price match a special running on another website, so it was no contest to select Crutchfield's superb customer-oriented service. But back to the B5s... I wrestled with buying the B5 or B6 but in the end it came down to my room configuration (open and flowing from dining room to living room with a vaulted ceiling) and speaker placement. For the latter, it has to be on the wall, which is not ideal for SQ but then neither is the room. I've always needed a subwoofer in this space for the lower frequencies (a Polk PSW-10), so that really addresses the reported low frequency low-off of the B5s. My listening in this 2.1 configuration is probably 80 percent streaming (ALAC files) from an Airport Express-to-Benchmark DAC1-to-Sony TA-AX500 (80 wpc), and 20 percent CD/SACDs from an Oppo BDP83SE connected to the same amp. In either mode, the SQ from the B5s is startlingly clear and detailed. I am hearing subtle instrument detail for the first time, and the sound stage from my listening chair is very life-like. I have not owned these B5s for long and my enthusiasm might mellow, but I doubt it.

Pros: Sound quality and price = amazing value.

Cons: I wished their was a walnut or cherry finish option to compliment the B5's performance.

I would have given 5 stars but the vinyl began peeling off one of the speakers. The Elacs replaced the venerable Sound Dynamics from 15 years ago. The Elacs are quick, dynamic and have excellent base for the size of the woofer. I recently purchased the Wharfdale 225's for another system and the Elacs hold their own at half the price. I would highly recommend the Elacs for anyone purchasing a stand mounted speaker.

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Does perform as expected. Delivers clear sound and handles power. Small as needed to work in shop warehouse barn area. Got two pair.

Pros: Compact bookshelf size, good clarity, handle power.

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As good as it gets without spending stupid money. I set these up with a Yamaha 85wpc amp, a Parts Express 8" sub and an Onkyo single CD player and it rivals the best setups from my past. I don't spend $1000s on gear anymore, and really dont need to with quality products such as these. I did remove the caps from the tweeters and put these on 32" stands angles slightly inward.

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Awesome design. Replaced a satellite set. Sounds amazing and looks great.

Pros: Style and design

Cons: None

Amazing speakers! So glad I went with these, the reviews were spot on!

Pros: Sound amazing, great price!

Cons: None!

Replace my sound bar with something far, far better. The sound fills the entire house.

Pros: Great sound at a very good price. I got mine on sale.

Cons: No cons, all pros as far as I'm concerned.

Hard to believe such great sound from speakers that size. I purchased them based on David's(a Crutchfield expert) suggestion and he hit a home run with them!

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Speakers sound great, fast shipping!

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The speaker sounds good generally. The price is fair for what you get. However they sound smaller than their size! Somehow I feel It misses some dimension. I'm still beak in them, so maybe it will get better soon . Regardless it does the job for what I searched for.

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Great sound. Nice mids with a tight low. Do note, those thinking to use these as rears in a surround set-up, they are big. Keep this in mind for small spaces.

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Can't beat the quality of these speakers. Team them up with a sub woofer and a decent receiver....whether you're watching a movie, live concert or just listening to your favorite tunes...it's money very well spent.

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For the money, I don't know how you could find better sounding speakers. Crisp and clear highs and decent lows when playing music. I have a large living room set up for 5.1 and my wife wouldn't allow towers so I went with these bookshelves. Paired with the sub they fill my large room with ease. Very pleased.

Pros: Sound more expensive than they are. Attractive build.

Cons: None at this price point

For the price, very hard to beat, sound quality is very good, maybe not as bright as I would like for my own personal preference, but very clear. I ended up closing off the rear ports because of my speaker placement near walls, worked out very well as I am using a sub for bass. Overall a good purchase, would go with floor speakers if I had the room size. Impressed with ELAC

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These are really great speakers with high quality and full range of sounds. A bit hard to drive so you need a good receiver. Note: These need couple days to reach best sound and should be placed at least 16 inch from the wall

Pros: Great Sound Nice Look Enough bass for bookshelf

Cons: Low Sensitivity Can't be placed near the wall

Just watched Mission Impossible 3 with just these hooked up to the Denon AVR-S510BT. Great sound. Nice and bright, but not too bright. Solid bass and midrange. Really made the movie come alive. I've been streaming some digital music from my iPhone and I've heard detail in some songs (e.g. Derek Trucks Band) that I have not heard before. I had a pair of Paradigm mini-monitor v5's that I have hooked up to another TV and plugged them into the same Denon and tried the same songs and this ELACs are superior AND cheaper. Some detail at the higher frequencies is not as clear on the Paradigms. It's just been a week and just one DVD, but lots of streamed music and I am very happy with these.

Pros: Great detail in sound. Incredible value.

Cons: None

I use them for my rear speakers in my surround system. They do the job just fine. For the price it will hard to find anything better. You can go with the B6 if you want to use the set as your main speakers.

Pros: Do the job in my surround configuration.

Cons: None.

Got a pair of these to try out, these sounds great. for the price its simply amazing. I Pair this with dayton subwoofer, with a 100wpc 80s vintage technics receiver, it powers it with no problem, putting out great sounds.

Pros: Budget friendly amazing sound quality good looks

Cons: none

Clear, well-defined sound. Unexpectedly rich lows. Driven by Audioengine N22

Pros: As great for their size as everyone is telling you - best sound for the price.

Cons: They would be even better in nice-looking wooden cabinet, not in drab black MDF.

Just as good as everyone says.

Pros: Excellent sound quality. No trouble handling a 120 watts per channel Onkyo NR-TX747.

Cons: None.

I bought these to use on my 7.1 surround system as add on for additioanal wide speakers. What a great addition. These speakers sound great. The wide envelopment in the 7.1.2 sounds amazing. I'm using a onkyo 809 an it's never sounded this good. Can't beat the price or sound. I was considering on purchasing a new atmos dolby reciever I don't need to that anymore.

Pros: Sound and price

Cons: None

I have done a lot of research for Front L/R speakers for my media room, and finally decided to but the B5's. Having used the speakers for a month now, Im totally satisfied with the sound quality. Below are things i really like about the speakers: - The MDF cabinet finish is really nice, not too reflective & looks elegant in my media room. I personally like the way they look without the cloth grill. - The binding posts are very sturdy - Clear/ crisp sound ( i mainly use these for movies complimented with ELAC C6 center channel speaker) I would recommend these speakers for someone looking for a good bookshelves to be used in a small to medium sized rooms. Finally, id like to acknowledge the great customer service from crutchfield (shout out to Ashley - online chat representative). They answered my questions about the product & did provide me with expedited 2-day shipping as there was a minor misunderstanding regarding products shipping out over the weekend.

Pros: Clear sound Look & finish of the MDF cabinet Sturdy binding posts

Cons: none till date