Loudspeakers are arguably the most competitive category in the entire world of consumer electronics, so if a new company enters the market the only way it can ensure success is to produce the very best possible products.
Of course that is easier said than done, and putting the ego portion of this equation to the side, there are many talented engineers struggling to make it in consumer audio.
Succeeding where others have failed however is the Houston, Texas-based company WAVE Electronics. Formed in 2002, the company entered the custom installation industry as a distributor, but over the past several years it has diversified its capabilities by adding solutions such as its own brand of loudspeakers to its product portfolio.
Entering the loudspeaker category a few years ago, the company has evolved its product line. Today it is working with the respected California audio manufacturer Sonance to produce its new Elura by Sonance line of loudspeakers.
Developed as a premium but affordable range of solutions, the Elura line of products features a choice of speakers, including the Elura S6.5 IW in-wall loudspeaker which we got the chance to test out here at CE Pro. This particular speaker employs a two-way design with a 6.5-inch paper/dry-carbon fiber cone with rubber surround, and a 1-inch ferrofluid-cooled, silk pivoting dome tweeter. The amp friendly, 8-ohm speaker is 91dB efficient, and it produces a rated frequency response of 45Hz to 20kHz.
Setting up the speakers takes a matter of minutes. Using the supplied cutout template, dealers just need to trace the pattern and cut the hole. With the hole cut and the speaker cables available, the next step is to connect the speaker cables to the speakers’ binding posts. From that point it requires one hand to steady the speaker in the cutout and another hand to secure the four-bolt locking system into place using a standard drill and Phillips drill bit. Finishing the installation, the bezel-less speaker uses powerful magnets to lock the speaker grilles into place.
Useful options such as the pivoting tweeter and boundary compensation/tweeter attenuation output adjustments allow installers to tailor the sound of the speakers to each installation environment, and setup a “toe-in” setting to help the speakers produce audiophile stereo image characteristics.
Focusing specifically on the Elura S6.5’s market applicability, installers will be able to use the small-footprint speaker for whole-house audio and home theater applications, and just about any source of amplification.
Installers can expect the speaker to produce a balanced soundstage with a solid amount of low-end information and top-end extension. In addition, the speakers image well producing a focused audio soundscape that also fills the room.
