Elac BS 263 Bookshelf speakers

I reckon German loudspeaker manufacturer Elac has a little bit of an image issue in britain. Universally respected because of its high tech drive units - particularly the identifying and famous JET ribbon tweeter in fifth-gen spec - the Kiel-based business possibly comes across as having not enough, er and a little too vorsprung durch technik, funk.

A reaction of forms has come having a brand new array of elective custom lacquer finishes (yep, any colour it is possible to think of), but I am inclined to believe its BS 263 two way standmount, the infant of the 'affordable high end' 260 collection (there is also a 267 floorstander), has more raw desirability in relation to the bulk of versions in the German firm's extensive variety. And, like many a streamlined part having a superior cost, the feelings that are great begin with first contact.

Really tidy. I guess exposed is they will remain.

Elac continues to be in the loudspeaker company for around three decades and, along with the bearing JET tweeter, has given the sound world the omnidirectional 4Pi tweeter and, most recently, its AS XR mid and bass drivers using their exceptional crystal-like cone surface geometry, a 150mm variant of which appears here. The AS cones are built from a sandwich of paper and aluminium while the identifying crystal pattern, in addition to appearing really pretty, is mintended to add rigidity and thus help the cone remain in shape. All drivers that are Elac are constructed and designed inhouse; just the van den Hul internal wiring as well as a crossover network that boasts big air- foil capacitors and core coils coming from outside providers.

The meticulously folded membrane construction initially inspired by Dr Oskar Heil are adhered to by the fourth refinement of the JET tweeter. Basically a ribbon folded via some neodymium bar magnets, its building needs fortitude that are very excellent.

Sound quality

As ever, my super- steady and hefty Slate Audio stands get an excursion. Despite making a rather glaring aesthetic mismatch (Elac can furnish a more refined alternative), they effectively clamp the streamlined BS 263 in space.

Elac comes with an enviable reputation for making loudspeakers that are little using a large, room-filling sound. This is not just a case of having a deep bass, though in the comprehensive scheme of things, the BS 263 ticks both these boxes and being able to play loud, even with the MA amp that is muscle doing its bid. More than this, however, is the awareness of space the loudspeaker is effective at creating, not only transcending the walls of my listening room that is sized but in addition the bounds of its own bijou cupboard. And it isn't only a width thing. Soundscapes are actually three dimensional as well as the loudspeaker magically breaks up into them.

All right, so much for the grand sonic stadium, how in regards to the music? Together with the proviso that some allowance must be made for dynamics and scale - a tiddler, yet gifted, is never going to match my reference ATC SMC20 in this regard - it's extremely clear, exact, well balanced and coherent. In a single regard, the ATC is left by it . The SMC20 is not any slouch to get a large, three way floorstander, but the Elac is not slow. Rapidly like an Ariel Atom is not slow. This transparency and penetration, particularly contour and the resolved feel

Of energy that is treble, reaches all the right hifi notes, but the lucidity that is apparently effortless is the thing that keeps weariness away and draws you in, yet long you continue listening. In the event you would like to understand simply just how much love and attention has gone to the creation of James Taylor's latest record, Before This World the BS 263 will give you the solution. JT cares in his voice, moreover, you will hear.

Decision

To not try the delights of a standmount as unique as the BS 263, nevertheless, could be insane. It is an audition that is essential.