TiFi Elf

     Creation Story

The goal of developing the TiFi Elf speaker was to create a compact floor-standing speaker for bedrooms and offices. The need arose from real-life situation. The shelf speaker in the bedroom was placed in the wrong location for optimal sound, and the correct position couldn't accommodate a shelf, speaker stand, or any standard-sized floor-standing speaker. Of course, the aim was to achieve pleasant bass, proper high-frequency performance, and sound quality at suitable volume levels for bedrooms. The most critical objective was precise driver timing or at least phase coherence, as without it, while you might get all the frequencies, the orchestral stage will still not be present in the room.

The unique shape of the speaker originated from technical limitations. To control sound wave pressure, the stiffest shape is either a sphere or a cylinder. Achieving sufficient internal volume for the speaker cabinet using 3D printing required sectional components, and the design started growing. The initial nickname was "tuba" because the speaker seemed inclined to play low notes even from its outer appearance. To optimize the speaker cabinet, a completely different internal shape was developed.

For the bass, a powerful motor and a rigid diaphragm Monacor loudspeaker was chosen. Both features ensure precision in reproducing bass. The compact size of the speaker and the suitable loudspeaker do not permit very loud or very low bass, but this is anyway restricted in bedrooms for domestic peace and in offices for professional productivity. For the high-frequency range, the decision was made in favor of a Seas loudspeaker with an anodized aluminum diaphragm, which has already proven itself. The increased power capacity allowed a transition at a low enough frequency to ensure effective synergy between high-frequency and bass response.

To create a simpler filter, the initial plan was to harness the principles of sound generation and propagation along with the possibilities of 3D printing. Thus, the bass loudspeaker was tilted upwards because bass spreads in all directions, whereas unnecessary high-frequency components spread mainly forwards. This tilted orientation supports a cleaner sound image for bass.

This positioning of the bass speaker allowed placing the high-frequency driver much closer, which prevents lobbing between the drivers in the crossover range. This position is also advantageous for achieving precise timing since it enables the advanced high-frequency driver to be slightly delayed.

The high-frequency listening area was expanded by using a waveguide located above the bass driver and in front of the high-frequency driver. The designs and experiments for this component required the most effort, as even slight dimensional changes led to significant alterations in sound reproduction. During the design process, the "tuba"  started resembling a girl with a braid, and later, the speaker was christened "Elf" due to its hood-like waveguide.

An active filter wasn't part of the initial plan. Unfortunately, even specialized and expensive audio filter components had a negative impact on sound quality. Hence, the decision was made to opt for an active filter. This meant using amplifiers for four channels along with the speakers, but the improvement in sound quality justified this choice.

The first-stage filter applied in the active filter gradually shifts the phase forward together with loudspeakers natural phase profile. With the help of position, filter and a parametric equalizer, the transition between bass and high-frequency drivers was seamlessly aligned, eliminating any phase shift during the crossover.

Thus, the TiFi Elf came to life, disregarding many traditional speaker construction practices and applying the principles of acoustics in innovative ways. It took hundreds of hours of development and costs eight times more than the original plan. Now that it's complete, everything seems remarkably natural. This could indeed be the essence of a novel 3D-printed speaker.

Sound Profile

For sound profile detailed evaluation look at Spinorama measurements.

The TiFi Elf is one of the most extensively tested speakers, and it can be confidently characterized as such. Its defining trait is precision. Both speakers are focused on precision, placed close to each other, resulting in an accurate overall sound. When listening, this provides a exceptional spatial soundstage where the locations of instruments and artists truly stand out.

Since the listening angle is wide, and the speaker is designed for smaller rooms, the best listening distance is 2-3 meters. The spatial experience is enhanced when TiFi Elf speakers can be placed along the side walls and away from the rear wall.

The bass is good for a small room and moderate listening volume but not abundant. So, the TiFi Elf is definitely not a 'party animal' but rather a refined 'evening companion.'

In a smaller room, the TiFi Elf is my preferred choice of speaker.

Test listeners feedback

As Elf takes the spotlight as our firstborn, we are excited to share some feedback from our test listeners.

K.K., a risk investor and music enthusiast, had this to say: "These are the epitome of HiFi speakers. Just as Estelon's speakers do, they transform rock music into a symphony of classical perfection. Every note resonates with pristine clarity and separable brilliance."

A.N., art student: "Let's add one more track...  I can never afford speakers of this quality, and this is the only opportunity to hear these songs with such quality."

A.R.,business consultant, summed it up succinctly: "These speakers unequivocally outshine the ones I have at home."

V.V., engineer and amateur musician: "Undoubtedly, these speakers belong to the echelons of high-class audio. Listening to Rhapsody in Blue through Elf, with closed eyes, transports you to the heart of a live concert. Elf offers a subtly brighter audio experience compared to Poseidon. And let's not overlook the sheer aesthetic beauty of these speakers - a design that simply cannot be found on store shelves."

A.M., an entrepreneur, engineer, and music enthusiast: "The bass is precise, and the overall sound quality is exceptional. It's my top preference. Without comparing, you might not fully appreciate it, but when you listen to the same songs side by side, Elfi's sound precision truly stands out. The design is excellent across all the speakers. Audio stores are filled with square boxes, so it's quite refreshing to come across something unique that also delivers impressive sound quality."

I.P., recruitment consultant, radio amateur: Speakers with very clean sound.

J.K., business consultant, audiophile: The stereo image is exceptionally clear, with a spatial sound. It  consistently gives the impression of the sound emanating from the room behind the speakers, rather than from the speakers themselves.