Disappointment, but found something better.
Douglas from HANOVER, PA on 3/23/2025
I already own ELAC's lowest cost bookshelf speakers and liked the impressive sound for their size, so I thought these would sound even better. I was excited to buy these to replace and old 3 piece speaker system (Harmon/Kardon HK395 - "made by Samsung") that broke after 20 years of use. My speakers are running through a Schiit DAC/preamp, so I'm no stranger to what I know should sound "normal" from my PC or MAC. But yikes the sound from the ELACs sound so.. terrible. There is no detail from any frequency range. I tried various music; hip hop, rock, classical; tried messing with the bass boost, but there was just nothing there I liked. This was especially the case at low volume. It sounded like I was putting a box over the speakers. I had these at the back corners of my desk, as I sat rather close (these are in the computer speaker section at CF, aren't they?). Even with the volume turned up and I step back, there is just no detail. Highs sound tinny, and the low end sounds muddy. I've tried living with them for a couple days, but have to return them to Crutchfield. I'd recommend the Yamaha HS Series studio monitors instead. I'm running HS4's through a HS8S sub to compensate for the size limitations of the bass, and even without the subwoofer they sound very balanced on their own at all volumes. Crispy highs and smooth bass at all volumes. What's more, I can even tune the tweeter and mid-bass depending on my preference via switches on the back of the HS4's.
Pros: Easy setup, RCA input has flexibility to switch to phono-level, so many inputs, Remote control
Cons: Lacks any detail, music sounds terribly muffled at low volume. Bass boost ranges from bad sounding to turn
4 of 6 found this helpful
Disappointed in the sound
Robert from Kensington, MD on 1/10/2025
I was disappointed in the sound. I listen to classical music and the sound came across as simultaneously hollow and overly analytical and too bright. Also the volume control was very frustrating. The volume would not go up or down gradually, but would jump up or down 4 numbers from, say, 80 to 84. One setting would be too loud, the next lower setting too soft.
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4 of 4 found this helpful
Wanted to love these.
Matt from Louisville, KY on 10/9/2024
I really wanted to love these. They look great and have all the features I want - which is to hook up my turntable and TV. I got the turntable working and it sounded fine, but could not get my TV to recognize them at all. After two long (and super kind and helpful) calls with Crutchfield support I waved the white flag and had to return them. They look awesome and sounded good with my record player. Hopefully other folks have better luck with connecting a TV.
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3 of 5 found this helpful
Great in its role
Luke from Beaverton, OR on 7/31/2024
Solid product but needs to borrow a few features from competing products. These are eARC speakers with other options included -- managing the device's volume with the remote is cumbersome due to the lack of indicators. Auto-on functionality on the optical input would be nice, as NAD offers with its amps and BlueSound speakers. Auto-off functionality is a tad quick. Sound quality is well balanced (treble is more bright than usual for an ELAC, but less bright than usual for this form factor). X-BASS didn't do much, as expected. Nearfield listening was solid and the size is appropriate for a larger desk. A further seating position didn't hurt the experience but didn't help it. Great for a dorm, studio, or office. Likely underwhelming in a home theater.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Serves a Purpose
Callie from BIG STONE GAP, VA on 4/4/2024
Hear me out, these are really nice speakers. The standout fact is that there is an HDMI in on such a good price point. That being said, they can be a little finicky when switching between the HDMi source and normal Bluetooth. They sound really nice, but not quite as detailed as I would like to see from ELAC. All in all, good speakers, great value for the price, but leave a little bit to be desired.
Pros: Good features
Cons: Not as detailed.
3 of 5 found this helpful
My computer/gaming speakers
Ismael from Bay Shore, NY on 1/9/2024
These speakers look great, i thought they'd be a bit louder but the sound is very good. Not having a headphone jack in the speakers made me get a headphone to rca cable which i didn't have (thanks to my advisor Callie for solving this issue!) but overall I'm very pleased with them. A sub would be very helpful with these.
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1 of 1 found this helpful
ELAC Debut ConneX DCB41
Sidney from Randolph, NJ on 1/9/2024
better than many sound bars, use it for secondary systems, small rooms college dorms. best use: TV
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Woonsocket
Stephen from Woonsocket on 12/21/2023
Great look excellent sound .always ask where I got them love crutchfield .being disabled lot of time listing to music and streaming .these do great job...
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5 of 6 found this helpful
Very nice! Add a sub brings them to the next level
Logan from Richmond, VA on 11/20/2023
So far so good, I was looking for an alternative to a Sound Bar that doesn't break the bank and still has a sleek look. I added the MartinLogan Dynamo 400 subwoofer to these (half off for black Friday) and these things rock the house.
Pros: Great speakers in little package, great price for a deal
Cons: Kind of expensive MSRP, got them for 400, I think that's a fair price
5 of 5 found this helpful
Great desktop speakers
Eugene from Livonia, MI on 9/15/2023
Using these with my PC and they sound great. The XBass button on the remote is confusing but if you look around on the internet you'll get answers on how to use it.
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2 of 2 found this helpful
Inspiring Fidelity
John from Brandon, MS on 5/29/2023
Had first opportunity to play full orchestral music on Memorial Day. Inspiring fidelity. Perfect for medium size room. Highly recommend for anyone interested in listening to music as well as tv sound. Use of the HDMI interface could not be easier as well as providing capability to use TV remote for a selection and sound volume .
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5 of 5 found this helpful
Expected better
Crutchfield customer from Savannah, GA on 11/10/2022
An okay product but, to my ear, can't compare to the Klipsch R-51 PM and previous incarnations. The sound of the K's seems richer and the bass deeper, no subwoofer needed. Connected to my computer with iTunes as the source material. I've had two successive sets of K's in the past 8 years, but they keep crapping out, so I tried something else. One could argue that the K's sound reproduction is all I know, and anything different will sound "off." No, but I don't think so. The K's are also less expensive, so I'll try them again, after I return the ELAC's.
Pros: Simple set-up.
Cons: Just okay sound. Pricey. No USB cable.
7 of 13 found this helpful
