High Performance Audio - The End?

Game-changer...    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4KPfVu3toU

Well, the addition of six subs most definitely changes the game for a bookshelf speaker. Does it magically make the Elac perform as a far higher end speaker? Only relatively, not inherently. That's one of the largest problems this community has, a belief in magical transformation of products, such that they somehow jump to a higher level of performance than better gear if only the right ancillary components are selected. It's wishful thinking, and not a good way to build superior systems. Such rigs typically have major shortcomings.  

The addition of multiple larger drivers to jack up LF is a valid way to get more out of a speaker. I do similar when I add the Legacy Audio XTREME XD Subwoofers, with one active and one passive 15" driver per sub, to the already prodigiously equipped Legacy Audio Whisper DSW Clarity Edition, which has its native eight 15" woofers. The result? An even more prodigious performance, with presence and articulation in the bass at low level that seems preternatural. 

Now, If I were to put in the modest Insignia 2-way speakers that were all the rage years ago (I have a pair I have kept for the fun of it) with those subs, would that magically make them perform on a par with the Whisper? One would have to be completely delusional to think so. Would they be "game changer" in the sense that they somehow were doing as the Whisper does? No, not at all. That's the kind of game that a Chinztiphile plays in an attempt to save lots of money, and they are only fooling themselves. That video is of a gimmick that appears designed to showcase subs, and kudos to REL, as it does. It would be a terribly compromised solution for the audiophile to set up the Elac speaker in such a fashion. 

YMMV, and I am not interested in arguing my observations.  :) 

@twoleftears , the Adante is "flawed"? I guess that’s why it won EISA’s product of the year award over speakers that cost magnitudes more. All the guys at EISA must be stupid too. Have you actually heard it with competent gear in a decent room dude? Or are you another one of the prophesizing yappers on this forum who never heard it? ."it may sound like"..."it should sound like...".... yappers and their prophesies!

The Adantes were selling like hot cakes all over Asia (more intelligent customers there, i suppose). The reason it was stalling a bit in the US was because Elac entered the US market at a entry level price (the Debuts for a coupla hundred bucks). Nobody had ever heard of Elac before over here. When the price got higher, dudes were stalling thinking it’s a entry level speaker brand. Make Revel release a speaker for 200 bucks. Examine how many 20k speakers they sell after that.....It has a lot do with posturing.....Either way, the only reason it was discontinued was because Elac Germany didn’t want A. Jones’s concentric driver designs taking over their ’higher end’ offerings (a.k.a steal their thunder). They had many of their pricier offerings with the JET tweeters to sell. They also forced him to do something with a JET tweeter (Carina? whatever). Goofy move.

Another unique coupled cavity design like the Adante will come back from Andrew at some point in the future (If Elac Germany isn't too butthurt about losing their thunder), priced at 30k & above. Watch the audiophools unload their wallet when that happens. Audiophools will only get down on their knees and bow down in respect when they see a high price tag. Observe these audiophools bow down in respect to an absolute piece of crap speaker because they saw a high price tag somewhere. It happens everyday....So, a charity price release often gets no respect no matter how good it is (from clowns who’ve never even heard it in the first place).... Andrew should stop doing charity and set the price at 30k and above. Why stop at 30k... make it 60k or 80k....the audiophool clown car will bow down for longer...it will be a lovely sight.

"Either way, the only reason it was discontinued was because Elac Germany didn’t want A. Jones’s concentric driver designs taking over their ’higher end’ offerings (a.k.a steal their thunder). They had many of their pricier offerings with the JET tweeters to sell. They also forced him to do something with a JET tweeter (Carina? whatever). Goofy move."

That is quite some insider's knowledge of ELAC's business practices. Member of the board of directors? Chief Operating Officer?

"Audiophools will only get down on their knees and bow down in respect when they see a high price tag."

Straight from the person who is using really expensive amplifier to run the best speakers on Earth and has bought some of the most-respected, and far from the most affordable, speakers in the past. What do they call such people? Converts? You know, those who discover the opposite of what they used to be and then strongly argue their cause against all the other sinful souls.