Thanks for your comment mat49. Yes, I agree, (but then I would) the Elacs really are quite the sound - punchy, precise, powerful, beautful with the crystal membrane cones and JET tweeter: arcane German technology.... Interestingly (I love anecdotal backgrounding), Elac was founded in 1926 specialising in echo-finding technology. Naturally co-opted by the Nazi war machine, it was the company that made all the acoustic and echo equipment for the German U-boats in WW2. This is not something you find on their website, (surprise, surprise), not really a pedigree you can market successfully (especially in the UK), but certainly a highly technical pedigree nevertheless. Brings to mind Churchill's famous comment that he was never really worried about losing the war, except by the U-boats. After the war they built sewing machines and car parts until in 1948 they invented the very first vinyl record 'changer'. 1981 they started developing phono, and in 1984 HiFi loudspeakers.
Some say the Elacs are over-bright. My dealer recomended them in combination with the Electrocomapniet, the latter being slightly rich. I find this synergy works. They really are quite a revelation, given their size.