Different kinds of product: one is active with its amplifier built in, the other passive and needs one. Judge them on how you want to own the system, not just the specs.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Canton Townus 30 digs deeper - 38Hz against 44Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| What you buy | depends | ELAC Navis ARB-51 is a complete system - just add a source. Canton Townus 30 also needs an amplifier: more money and another box, but you choose it. |
| Connections | depends | ELAC Navis ARB-51 has Bluetooth built in. With Canton Townus 30 that all comes from the amplifier you pair it with. |
| Upgrade path | depends | Canton Townus 30 can be re-amped later and outlive several amplifiers; ELAC Navis ARB-51 ages as one unit. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,995 vs $1,998 a pair) - though the passive pair still needs an amplifier. |
A Canton Townus 30 B ELAC Navis ARB-51
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
ELAC Navis ARB-51 suits you if you want one box, ready to play, with nothing else to buy. Canton Townus 30 suits you if you already have an amplifier, want to choose the electronics, or expect to upgrade in stages. Neither is the better speaker in the abstract. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 44Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.