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Colleagues had already dropped it after the iEAR trade show. There’s something about these little speakers. They are uncolored, neutral reproducers without being boring. They have an open and clean midrange that never bores . They’re not going to rock the windows, but in the right setting, an awful lot falls into place. Words like detail-rich are actually an insult to these speakers. They do more than that.Â
They find the perfect balance between resolution and musicality and always strike the right chord. Literally and figuratively. Pay some attention to the setup and you will be rewarded with a fast-paced reproduction that pulls you into the music. The midrange is where it all happens but the silky smooth high of the JET 6 ribbon tweeter is also worthy of note. Add excellent timing and you begin to get an idea of what this speaker is capable of. Elegant, as the name implies, is therefore a very fitting description for this speaker.
Listen
Bert Dockx guarantees quality. Whether it’s with his Flying Horseman, under Ottla or with his Bert Dockx Band, it’s enjoyment every time. His latest release “Ghosts” is another hit. Dockx has been busting his ass the past few years and after a gig he suddenly collapsed. Now he is back with a calm and controlled album. The song “Blanket” sounds full of texture, coming completely off the speakers. The placement of the musicians is above average and the stereo image has a lot of depth. These speakers have exceptional spaciousness so you can effortlessly hear the birds incorporated into the song. The midrange is tight and defined.
Anohni and the Johnsons make equally intriguing music. Their latest release “My back was a bridge for you to cross” (delightful title) should be seen as a journey of discovery. You should also take your time and absorb it in parts. The song “Why am I alive now?” sounds chillingly beautiful. Anohni’s voice cuts through marrow and bone without turning on the s-sounds. The drum section supports the song with bravado and the bass guitar sounds rich and full. The sounds of the viola also enthrall. You can simply zoom in on each individual instrument or choose to enjoy the whole. Like on “Scapegoat” where Samuel Dixon’s bass guitar and supporting violins do not leave us unmoved. The silence between notes is almost unbearable.
“Strange Disciple” by Nation of Language is a rather accidental discovery. It is a kind of mix of 1980s pop music and New wave. They themselves call it Synthwave. We love it. Many songs are, how could it be otherwise, about love and especially the unrequited kind. It’s a bit Depeche Mode meets Frankie goes to Hollywood but then again it’s not. The album is full of bouncing beats coming tightly through the Elac Elegant BS 312.2 and although they are not bass monsters, it works. Again, the openness and quietness stands out. The Elacs are a crack at opening up the music and giving each element its proper place.
To test the limits of these modest monitors, we put on DJ Shadow’s latest album. ‘Action Adventure,’ as the title suggests, is an adventure album for the fearless listener. On the track ‘A Narrow Escape,’ we miss some sub-bass that this music needs. Still, the Elac Elegant BS 312.2 does a fine job. This is a neutral speaker, fast and crisp, that can captivate the listener every time by not coloring anything and not turning anything on. This speaker starts and stops on the microsecond. A subwoofer would complete it here.