A compact system for those in need of a neat and talented hi-fi solution
All-in-one system | £499 | whf.cm/ConnexDCB41
Are you looking for a neat, good-sounding but affordable hi-fi system? If so, Elac’s ConneX DCB41 might just be perfect for you.
This is a powered set-up where one speaker contains all the electronics, including the 2 x 50 watts of amplification, while the other is a conventional passive design.
The two speakers are linked with a standard, supplied speaker cable. Unlike with pricer alternatives such as Triangle’s AIO Twin or the KEF LSX II, there aren’t any network streaming smarts included, so you need to supply the source. This can be an aptX Bluetooth signal from your phone, or anything digital that directly connects through the USB (Type B), optical or HDMI inputs. That addition of HDMI ARC is a smart touch and opens up the ConneX to be used with TVs.
Analogue users haven’t been ignored either. There is a single set of stereo RCAs that can be switched between being a line-level or a moving-magnet phono input. In an ideal world, we would have liked a coaxial (digital) and maybe another analogue line-level input, but it is fair to say that Elac has covered most bases well.
We have a few complaints, though. The volume knob, which toggles through the inputs when pressed, is awkwardly positioned on the powered speaker’s back panel. You could just use the supplied remote of course, but that’s not always conveniently to hand. Elsewhere, it would be nice to have some indication of volume level. At the moment there isn’t anything, which could lead to unpleasant surprises when swapping sources.
The Connex DCB41 doesn’t take up much space, each unit standing around a hand-span high, fitting into most places with ease. Build quality is pleasing, good and solid. These cabinets would be right at home on a desktop, but can also work in a decently sized room provided you don’t require party levels of noise. As befits a product of this type, the speakers aren’t overly fussy about placement, though they do work best when given a little space to breathe and situated on a solid, low-resonance support. Proper speaker stands would be ideal, of course, but we understand that such supports aren’t a practical solution for some.
Clear and insightful
These Elac are equipped with a small 10cm mid/bass unit and a 19mm soft-dome tweeter. The low frequencies are tuned by a rear-firing slot reflex port, and stay pretty controlled even when placed relatively close to a rear wall, and, just as commendably, when we boost th
