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Radiient Elara Home Theater Speaker System Review

by May 24, 2006
  • Product Name: Elara Home Theater Speaker System
  • Manufacturer: Radiient
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarhalf-star
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStarhalf-star
  • Review Date: May 24, 2006 20:00
  • MSRP: $ 499 (5.0 system)

Main Channels - Front Left & Right

  • Two-way design
  • True coaxial midbass/tweeter driver configuration
  • Metallized silk-dome tweeter with ferrofluid cooling and integrated cast-aluminum horn structure
  • Frequency response 50Hz - 35kHz
  • Power handling 100 Wrms
  • Impedance 8 Ω nominal
  • Sensitivity 86dB/w/m
  • Weight (net each) 17 lbs.
  • Dimensions 14"h x 13.75"w x 11.75"d

Surround Channels

  • Two-way design
  • True coaxial midbass/tweeter driver configuration
  • Metallized silk-dome tweeter with ferrofluid cooling and integrated cast-aluminum horn structure

Surround Channels (cont’d)

  • Frequency response 60Hz - 20kHz
  • Power handling 150 Wrms
  • Impedance 8 Ω nominal
  • Sensitivity 90dB/w/m
  • Weight (net each) 16 lbs.
  • Dimensions 14.38"h x 8.75"w x 12.5"d

Center Channel

  • Two-way design
  • Horizontal midbass/tweeter/midbass driver configuration
  • Woven carbon-fiber midbass driver cones
  • Metallized silk-dome tweeter with ferrofluid cooling
  • Frequency response 60Hz - 20kHz
  • Power handling 120 Wrms
  • Impedance 8 Ω nominal
  • Sensitivity 90dB/w/m
  • Weight (net each) 16 lbs.
  • Dimensions 7.63"h x 17.75"w x 10.25"d


Pros

  • Great price
  • Great looks
  • Plays loud

Cons

  • Don’t let your friends get too close to them
  • Carpet spikes on bookshelves?
  • Poor off axis response

Introduction

It was funny, the very same day I got an email from Gene telling me these speakers were on the way, I had read a request from a forum member about a review of them. So, Murrel, I guess this one is for you. Before receiving the speakers, I perused the Radiient website to get an idea of what I was in for. The speaker package is a 5.0 system which I was both happy and disheartened by. Happy, because I didn’t have move that brick of a sub that is the EP500, but disheartened because I like testing full systems. The speakers looked more like a satellite system with fairly small speakers probably crossed over pretty high… until I looked at the specs – frequency response down to 50Hz on the mains? Hold on, and what does that price say…$499? Intrigued, I was glad to hear that they would be shipping immediately.
About the author:
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As Associate Editor at Audioholics, Tom promises to the best of his ability to give each review the same amount of attention, consideration, and thoughtfulness as possible and keep his writings free from undue bias and preconceptions. Any indication, either internally or from another, that bias has entered into his review will be immediately investigated. Substantiation of mistakes or bias will be immediately corrected regardless of personal stake, feelings, or ego.

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