Reddit mentions of ELAC (DF51-BK) - Debut F5 Tower Speakers (Each)

Hello, fellow Canadian!

DO NOT BUY THIS SYSTEM. You can get a MUCH better system for $25.49 more.

Check this out:

ELAC F5 Towers - $839.98

ELAC B4 Surrounds - $269.99

ELAC C5 Center - $319.99

BIC F12 Subwoofer - $295.53 (incl. shipping)

Sub-Total: $1725.49

I would recommend just getting ELAC B5s or B6s for the front speakers and you can save a couple hundred dollars more (which I might put towards a better subwoofer or a second subwoofer).

Sorry I wrote all that without directly addressing your question, but that Polk package is bad value (even though it's on sale) and the included subwoofer is a pile of steaming shyte.

So, for pairing speakers with a receiver, pretty much anything works. Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha are the most recommended brands here.

Gibby's Electronics sells the Denon X1300 for $399.99 (b-stock) but they're out of stock. They also have the S710W for $399.99 (b-stock, I don't get the pricing), which is probably your best option unless you're willing to wait for b-stock to come in for the X1300.

Where this me, I'd go with the Chane A3rx-c or these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014GSEPY8

If either of those do not fit the bill save some money and just get a pair of Infinity Primus P363 towers for $230.

Even bookshelf speakers with a 4 inch driver will go down to 60hz or 70hz. Those with 5 inch drivers will often go to 45hz or 50hz.

Set the subwoofer to handle everything from just above the lower rating on the bookshelf and you are good to go. Most subs are rated from 100hz and down but it is better to set them as low as possible while still covering the transition from main speakers to the sub.

There are a couple of pretty good towers in that price range too

https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Audio-Bronze-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00XW22VY6/

https://rbhsound.com/bstock-r55ti.php

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S55-American/dp/B01LWB2LIX/

https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8/

https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-T1-Tower-Speakers/dp/B01MQ6CKYU/

I don't know that I would go down the Pioneer route. Here is what I would do.

AVR - Yamaha RX-V381 $280 Basic entry level AVR that you'll upgrade in a few years.

Speakers - Now here is where is gets interesting. You want a 3.1 and towers. Well here are some examples that I would consider. I think I would go with a 2.1 for now but that's just me.

• KEF 2.0 - Q500 Towers $350ea ($700) Puts you right at your budget but you'll be getting KEF towers that you can add to later. I think that you wouldn't need a sub right away with these or any towers. I would just hate to not mention these because they are on sale.
  
  
• Boston 2.1 - CS260 towers $160ea ($320) & an SVS SB-12NSD $400 Just enough room left for some wires and cables. This setup should be impressive.
  
  
• Boston 3.1 - Same towers are above ($320) with a matching center $105 and a BIC PL-200 $325
  
  
• ELAC 3.0 - F5 Towers $280ea ($560) & the matching center $180 People seem to rave about these speakers. However, others have said the sound signature is close to the pioneers AJ did which had a very relaxed tweeter.

This is the ELAC set:

http://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014GSER6O/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014GSEQWE/

No problem. ELAC F5s are a decent cheaper alternative.

So for the money, if we're only talking about new speakers, I think they're pretty much unbeatable.

But the overall cheapness of the materials shows a bit more in the floorstanding version than in the bookshelf version, IMO. I don't think it's a very attractive speaker, and more important, they don't provide as much additional bass as I feel they ought to, when compared to the bookshelf version.

You might see if anybody's got anything attractive on offer on your local craigslist.

Or, if you upped it a little past $500, you could get a pair of ELAC F5 towers. Bigger upgrade for sure. Even the bigger Elac bookshelf speakers would be an upgrade too, like the B6.

Or the larger Wharfedale bookshelf speakers would be an upgrade too, like the 225 or the Denton.

A good start would be over at /r/zeos

Buying a packaged system is usually a bad idea. That Onkyo system is meh at best


Option 1:

Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1300w/denon-avr-x1300w-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html $339

Front L/R: https://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-loudspeakers/A1.4 $249

Center: https://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-loudspeakers/A2.4 $269

Surrounds: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Rears: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Subwoofer: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

$1539

Option 2:

Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1300w/denon-avr-x1300w-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html $339

Front L/R: 2X https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484625873&sr=1-3&keywords=elac&refinements=p_89%3AElac

Center: https://www.amazon.com/Debut-Center-Speaker-Andrew-Jones/dp/B014GSEQWE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484625922&sr=1-1&keywords=elac+c6

Surrounds: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Rears: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Subwoofer: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

$1758

Option 3:

Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1300w/denon-avr-x1300w-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html $339

Front L/R: http://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Tower-Speakers?color=1 $800

Center: http://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Center-Channel-Speaker?color=1 $209

Surrounds: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Rears: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625621&sr=8-1&keywords=micca+mb42 $61.50

Subwoofer: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html

$2010

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014GSEPY8/ref=amb_link_443536862_9?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=product-alert&pf_rd_r=0VE9B4MY8TJ047YR9SDW&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=2223868762&pf_rd_i=B014GSEQ06

double the price of those you posted though

Well, I was going to recommend the Chane A5rx-c, but it looks like it's out of stock... If you can find a set still in stock somewhere, I found them very enjoyable to listen to, though not the most detailed.

The ELAC Debut F5 comes highly recommended, but it wasn't for me. I found it to be too flat, but you might like that.

Nothing else really jumps to mind as far as floor standers for that price. I can't speak to the Polks, I've not heard them.

Elac F5 is $279/each: http://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8

Great reviews: http://www.cnet.com/products/elac-debut-f5/

Don't get down you have a bunch of great choices available at your price point!

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 speakers on sale at MusicDirect for $799

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15494-wharfedale-diamond-107-tower-speakers-pr.aspx

ELAC Debut F5 speakers for $279.99 each

http://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452716607&sr=8-1&keywords=elac+debut+f5

Or ....

PSB Imagine T speakers for $1099!

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMGT&variation=EBLK&gclid=CJiV9r3Pp8oCFYIfHwod19IMIA

Known I believe for being a bit bass heavy per this review.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/articles/Stereophile-Imagine-T-Review

These are just examples and if you live in a large city area I would do some research and try and figure out what sounds good to your ears. But all these are made by respected companies with good reviews.

These are a great deal right now: https://www.amazon.ca/Elac-Debut-Floorstanding-Loudspeaker-Single/dp/B014GSEPY8/ will cost $550 for the pair though. You could pair it with a this receiver https://gibbyselectronicsupermarket.ca/product/denon-avr-s720w-7-2-4k-ultra-hd-av-receiver-b-stock/ for 349 and come in pretty much at your budget. This would be the best way to spend $1000 and get a future proof system you can build into a great home theater later. Keep in mind that receiver is refurbished (but should be fine) and only on sale tonight.

I'm looking to build a semi-affordable home audio system this year. I'm gonna start buying components with my tax money, so it's time to seek some quick suggestions. I am pretty much set on the turntable and receiver. And I have narrowed my speaker options down to 3 final contenders. Basically I need help deciding which of these 3 speaker setups will sound the best for my personal taste (music only, no movies. Mostly stoner rock, doom, classic rock, hard rock, blues, reggae, funk... you know, mostly bass heavy rock).

The turntable I chose is the U-Turn Orbit Custom with acrylic platter and Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.

The receiver I chose to go with this turntable is the Onkyo A-9050. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JBZFVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RsWMybSP4ZYZR

Now onto the speakers. My budget is $500 but I can go over a little bit. This setup will be in my living room which is smallish to regular in size. Also, I have hardwood floors if that matters. Sooooo... Which of these 3 setups will sound best with this turntable/receiver???

1. ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Bookshelf Speakers ($499 a pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRYWVG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8EWMyb1SZ3EMZ
   
   
2. Klipsch R-26F Floorstanding Speakers ($279 each, $558 a pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LMDYM6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sFWMybEGZCMSZ
   
   
3. ELAC Debut F5 Tower Speakers ($279 each, $558 a pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rGWMybR17AP0S
   
   Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!
   

I'm not sure $800 is enough budget for tower speakers unless you would buy Klipsch or Andrew Jones Pioneer. Most good tower speakers which wouldn't really need a sub and would be audiophile quality are something like $550 each.

I would get bookshelves and a subwoofer, and you can upgrade them in the future if you wish. For the bookshelves, do something like this:

KEF Q300B Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Black Ash (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xwLDzbT9SB2WF

Or, slightly cheaper:

Klipsch RP-150M Bookshelf Speaker - Cherry (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RXHEH8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LHLDzb4SG7WJF

Wharfedale - Diamond 220 (Walnut) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P15KDCO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9RLDzbZ86871K

DALI - ZENSOR 1 - Bookshelf Speakers in Light Walnut (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057X8796/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VSLDzbP0MK16M

And for the sub:

SVS SB-1000 – 12”, 300 Watt DSP Controlled, Sealed Box Subwoofer (Black Ash) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AF88C0M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LDLDzbRASPMQT

This puts you over budget by $100 if you go with the KEFs and $35 if you go Klipsch (which would be significantly louder, more V shaped sound (bass and treble, less mids), but less detailed). I haven't heard the wharfedales or dalis in person so I can't comment on their sound. So, I would start with just the speakers and then decide if you want a sub or not, if you do, continue saving.

Edit: some tower options that are less than $800:

Klipsch RP-250F Floorstanding Speaker - Ebony (Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S2N4BDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.LLDzbFH56BVV

Monitor Audio Bronze Series 5 2 1/2 Way Floorstanding Speaker - Each - Black Oak https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XW22VY6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cQLDzb7WQ7KE9

ELAC - Debut F5 Tower Speakers (Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014GSEPY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TQLDzbEY4CHAQ

These would blow you away. https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Tower-Speakers-Each/dp/B014GSEPY8#customerReviews