Hey Joe, I for one, and IMO a lot of the folks here, appreciate and admire the fact that you decided to fix it, rather than return em. Hopefully no affect on warranty.
I agree and I've actually done the same a couple of times myself. Anyway, those Elacs are beautiful. I'd like to get my ear on them at AXPONA show this year.
FAMILY ROOM HDTV - Sharp AQUOS LC-70LE600U 70" | AVR/Streamer - Onkyo TX-NR3008 | Amp - Parasound HCA-1203A Blu-Ray/Media/Gaming - Sony PS3-320GB / Microsoft Xbox One | Broadcast - Xfinity X1 Platform Front Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Center Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Rear Spkrs - Artison Portrait LRS Sub - DIY Stereo Integrity HT 15 | Sub Amp - Dayton Audio SA1000 Wire - Audioquest Type 4, BJC Belden 5000 | HDMI - BJC Belden | Power Cables - Pangea | Surge - Monster
Joe is that top cone a tweeter inside a mid driver???? If it is, this is the first time I've see something like that. In the other pics I was wondering where the tweeter was.
Why did they make it this way and how does it sound.
Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 ch. 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony Bravia KDL-40R510C TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Boston VR-920 Center Channel, SVS NSD-12 SB12 Subwoofer, Polk DSW 400 Subwoofer, Polk FXi-3 Surround Speakers
The concentric tweeter inside the mid is something that Andrew Jones (the designer of these towers) is known for. He did the same development of these type tops ends at KEF and then TAD.
This setup is one of the main reasons for me to go with this tower. The imaging is superb.
The Polks are great speakers and I had them dialed in. They are not forgiving finding the sweet spot. They also had to be pulled a good 4 feet from the back wall to sound the best.
These are quite the opposite. I have been moving them around since I got them. The imaging is so forgiving that it sounds almost identical when they are flat even and then toe’d in directly at the dead center. Also, because they are sealed, I can push them all the way back against the wall and they don’t sound boomy at all. Very forgiving.
They like power I know that. I probably have just over what they want. The Linns are pushing 185wpc from my calculations and I have two on each tower. But I keep coming back to that mid/tweet. The clarity and smoothness is fantastic. I have Totem Rainmakers which have a very high quality Seas aluminum tweeter but it’s a very analytical speaker. Almost to revealing. Whereas the polks were very laid back. This is right in the middle where it’s the best.
I’m listening to some electronic music now and the sound is wrapping around me like 5.1 with these things. Totally worth what I spent on them.
I’m still in the process of finding what sounds best. The whole sound changed with these from the polks so it all sounds better. Flat or toe. So I need more time with them to get used to their sound before I can make that call. Make sense?
Ok @SIHAB I think I have settled (for now) on what sounds the best and I’m very new to these so it might change. I have them about 11-12 feet apart. They are about the same distance from the sweet spot. And I have them about 12” from the back wall and a very slight toe in. Maybe 4-5deg
I’m listening to some electronic music now and the sound is wrapping around me like 5.1 with these things. Totally worth what I spent on them.
Love it! I'm thrilled you are happy with your new speakers Joe, it sounds like they are a perfect fit for your room.
Great job on the DIY fix as well, hope ELAC can correct the issue at the factory.
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
Absolutely beautiful speakers! I would love to hear them. I congratulate you on having the gumption to undertake that project. You have big round ones my friend!!
First Watt,Monarchy Audio,Aric Audio,Promitheus Audio,Pro-Ject,Hornshoppe,Nola,HSU,Onkyo.
These things are pretty well rounded (the speakers lol) but what got my attention the most is big classical music. The ability of these towers to put you directly in the middle of the orchestra is uncanny. Most of us (I assume) close our eyes when critical listening and for me this allows my senses to focus on hearing as much as possible. When doing this with the Elacs on say Mendelssohn, there is a clear definition of all the instruments in their specific locations. Even the solo strings can be located forward of the rest of the strings. I can only guess that the concentric tweeter/mid is helping this accuracy.
The testing continues...
Is the 'chauk' silicone free? I believe loudspeaker driver voice coils don't like silicone, not intirely sure why yet I use an acrylic based one for my internal speakers cabinets
Well worth doing though, as with gaskets around the drivers and making sure bass reflex holes are glued well. Plastic binding posts are a pet hate of mine 😣
I wouldn't worry about silicone polymers, but there are at least two flavors of RTV on the market. The 'standard' RTV uses an acid catalyst (acetic acid, by the smell of it) -- but there are also neutral cure RTV products. The latter are recommended, for aquariums, and probably in electronics too.
Otherwise, silicone (which is essentially a polymer based on silicon rather than carbon) is pretty benign stuff.
I wouldn't worry about silicone polymers, but there are at least two flavors of RTV on the market. The 'standard' RTV uses an acid catalyst (acetic acid, by the smell of it) -- but there are also neutral cure RTV products. The latter are recommended, for aquariums, and probably in electronics too.
Otherwise, silicone (which is essentially a polymer based on silicon rather than carbon) is pretty benign stuff.
Is the 'chauk' silicone free? I believe loudspeaker driver voice coils don't like silicone, not intirely sure why yet I use an acrylic based one for my internal speakers cabinets
Well worth doing though, as with gaskets around the drivers and making sure bass reflex holes are glued well. Plastic binding posts are a pet hate of mine 😣
Here is the silicone used. Latex mix, not pure and less likely to have any gassing as it dries hard enough for paint in 20 mins which is what time I waited (and more) to put back together.
And the binding posts are metal and carbon fiber with accent black and red. Not all plastic.
Little disappointed that I have not heard back from Elac yet. I emailed the [email protected] one with the same info as I did the customer service one. Nothing yet.
Thumbs up for taking care of the issues. The fact that these are prevalent issues discourages me greatly. AJ can design some nice speakers, but if Elac can't build them en masse to their design specifications, that is a serious concern.
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
Thanks Skip. Again, hate to beat a dead horse but these things are fantastic and worth every penny IF they come out of the factory sealed in all chambers. For the price I got them, the extra work I still got them for a steal.
Remember the green drivers and other issues on the first release?
Yes, I do. I bought an entire set of them. After I got them, I listened to them. No bass response to speak of so I set up a return. Elac customer service was outstanding.
The Energy RC-70's and the RC-LCR outperformed the ELAC speakers in every aspect except the top end clarity. The Energy speakers weren't bad in that respect at all but the ELAC Uni-Fi speakers had the edge in that area. Not enough for me to want to keep them. lol.
Comments
Here are some beauty shots for those interested.
HDTV - Sharp AQUOS LC-70LE600U 70" | AVR/Streamer - Onkyo TX-NR3008 | Amp - Parasound HCA-1203A
Blu-Ray/Media/Gaming - Sony PS3-320GB / Microsoft Xbox One | Broadcast - Xfinity X1 Platform
Front Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Center Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Rear Spkrs - Artison Portrait LRS
Sub - DIY Stereo Integrity HT 15 | Sub Amp - Dayton Audio SA1000
Wire - Audioquest Type 4, BJC Belden 5000 | HDMI - BJC Belden | Power Cables - Pangea | Surge - Monster
Why did they make it this way and how does it sound.
This setup is one of the main reasons for me to go with this tower. The imaging is superb.
The Polks are great speakers and I had them dialed in. They are not forgiving finding the sweet spot. They also had to be pulled a good 4 feet from the back wall to sound the best.
These are quite the opposite. I have been moving them around since I got them. The imaging is so forgiving that it sounds almost identical when they are flat even and then toe’d in directly at the dead center. Also, because they are sealed, I can push them all the way back against the wall and they don’t sound boomy at all. Very forgiving.
They like power I know that. I probably have just over what they want. The Linns are pushing 185wpc from my calculations and I have two on each tower. But I keep coming back to that mid/tweet. The clarity and smoothness is fantastic. I have Totem Rainmakers which have a very high quality Seas aluminum tweeter but it’s a very analytical speaker. Almost to revealing. Whereas the polks were very laid back. This is right in the middle where it’s the best.
I’m listening to some electronic music now and the sound is wrapping around me like 5.1 with these things. Totally worth what I spent on them.
Addendum: I love the specs for Bass. I'm missing that a bit while listening to Jazz...
Love it! I'm thrilled you are happy with your new speakers Joe, it sounds like they are a perfect fit for your room.
Great job on the DIY fix as well, hope ELAC can correct the issue at the factory.
These things are pretty well rounded (the speakers lol) but what got my attention the most is big classical music. The ability of these towers to put you directly in the middle of the orchestra is uncanny. Most of us (I assume) close our eyes when critical listening and for me this allows my senses to focus on hearing as much as possible. When doing this with the Elacs on say Mendelssohn, there is a clear definition of all the instruments in their specific locations. Even the solo strings can be located forward of the rest of the strings. I can only guess that the concentric tweeter/mid is helping this accuracy.
The testing continues...
Speakers: Fronts:LSiM 705s/ Center: LSiM 706c / Surrounds: LSim 703s
SUB: Rythmik LV12R x2
Source:OPPO UDP-203
Is the 'chauk' silicone free? I believe loudspeaker driver voice coils don't like silicone, not intirely sure why yet I use an acrylic based one for my internal speakers cabinets
Well worth doing though, as with gaskets around the drivers and making sure bass reflex holes are glued well. Plastic binding posts are a pet hate of mine 😣
Otherwise, silicone (which is essentially a polymer based on silicon rather than carbon) is pretty benign stuff.
Great info, thanks for sharing
Here is the silicone used. Latex mix, not pure and less likely to have any gassing as it dries hard enough for paint in 20 mins which is what time I waited (and more) to put back together.
And the binding posts are metal and carbon fiber with accent black and red. Not all plastic.
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
Hah, I had to look that up. http://noaudiophile.com/ELAC_UB5/
Yes, I do. I bought an entire set of them. After I got them, I listened to them. No bass response to speak of so I set up a return. Elac customer service was outstanding.
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Video: Panasonic TH-50PZ850U * Panasonic DMP-UB200P-K * ROKU Premiere * Z-line Designs Elektra
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
Live and learn, I guess.
The Energy RC-70's and the RC-LCR outperformed the ELAC speakers in every aspect except the top end clarity. The Energy speakers weren't bad in that respect at all but the ELAC Uni-Fi speakers had the edge in that area. Not enough for me to want to keep them. lol.
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Video: Panasonic TH-50PZ850U * Panasonic DMP-UB200P-K * ROKU Premiere * Z-line Designs Elektra