Ресиверы — Audioblock GmbH ELEMENTS 5.1

The ELEMENTS 5.1 is a compact AV receiver from Audioblock, the German company that sells its products under the Block name. It combines five-channel amplification with streaming and radio in a small chassis designed for living rooms rather than dedicated home cinemas. It sells in Germany for about EUR 999, in a diamond silver or a black finish.

Key specs that matter

Amplification is 5 x 50 W. Connections include two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output with ARC, coaxial and optical digital inputs, an analogue AUX input, a subwoofer output, a rear USB port and Ethernet. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in. Radio covers FM, DAB+ and internet radio, and streaming includes Spotify and Deezer. It can be controlled by remote or app. The chassis measures 25 cm wide, 8 cm high and 26 cm deep. The manufacturer's part numbers are AB10232-01 for silver and AB10232-02 for black.

Engineering and use context

A 5.1 system uses three front channels, left, centre and right, two surround channels and a subwoofer. The ELEMENTS 5.1 amplifies the five main channels and sends a line signal to an active subwoofer through its dedicated output. Its per-channel power suits compact and medium-sized rooms with reasonably efficient speakers. HDMI ARC takes sound from a television over the same cable that carries the picture, and HDMI CEC, added in a later update, lets the TV remote control the receiver. The two HDMI inputs connect sources such as a Blu-ray player or games console, and the optical and coaxial inputs serve older equipment. Network streaming and DAB+ make it usable as a music system without a separate streamer or tuner. The small chassis, about the size of a book, contrasts with conventional AV receivers, which are usually full-width units. Block's range also includes the ELEMENTS Blu-ray player in a matching aluminium design, so the ELEMENTS 5.1 can form part of a compact home cinema. A wired network socket suits homes with patchy wireless coverage, and the USB input plays music files from a stick. The front has a display for source and volume.

Pairing

The ELEMENTS 5.1 suits compact 5.1 speaker sets and a small active subwoofer. The ELEMENTS Blu-ray player matches it in size and finish.

Alternatives

Block's CVR-100+ MKIII is the brand's all-in-one receiver system in a similar aluminium design.