Best Budget Setup? (Kali LP-6 vs Elac DBR62 vs Wharfedale 12.2)

[ninetylol]

Hey folks,

Looking for advice on the best budget setup for TV + music listening. Mid-field (~2m distance), used in a living room. Prioritizing sound quality and value.

Three options I'm considering:

1. Kali LP-6 2nd Wave + Kali MM-6 — paired with WiiM Mini (optical out) 380€

2. Elac DBR62 — powered by WiiM Amp 670€

3. Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 — also with WiiM Amp 530€

Which setup gives best performance for the money in this use case? Mainly for streaming TV audio and Tidal. Kalis are cheapest but Im a bit sceptical about the listening distance.

WiiM Amp has the advantage of a possible sub later down the road if needed.

Love to hear your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

You can compare the Kali and Elac directly here:

Kali Audio LP-6v2 (Second Wave) 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

Kali Audio LP-6v2 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

erinsaudiocorner.com

ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Bookshelf Speaker Review

ELAC Debut Reference DBR62

erinsaudiocorner.com

The Kali has better bass extension and directivity, the Elac better distortion and compression.

I'd choose the Kali.

 

[ninetylol]

You can compare the Kali and Elac directly here:

Kali Audio LP-6v2 (Second Wave) 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

Kali Audio LP-6v2 2-Way Studio Monitor Review

erinsaudiocorner.com

ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Bookshelf Speaker Review

ELAC Debut Reference DBR62

erinsaudiocorner.com

The Kali has better bass extension and directivity, the Elac better distortion and compression.

I'd choose the Kali.

Thanks, Already done that, the Kalis do Look best on paper, im just a bit sceptical because they are engineered for near field. Isnt there any disadvantage in using them at 2-2,5m?

As far as compression and distortion goes, im not listening very loud most of the time (70-75db).

 

[kyuu]

If possible, I would buy the Kalis from somewhere with a good return policy so you can try them out in your space. They are excellent speakers for certain, but I would be concerned about whether they might be a bit limited in terms of dynamic output at anything other than nearfield listening which your TV setup is not. If you don't notice any audible issues (recessed bass due to limiting would be my chief concern) at your normal listening volumes, then you're set. If you do, then I'd go for the passives powered by the Wiim Amp instead.

 

[ninetylol]

If possible, I would buy the Kalis from somewhere with a good return policy so you can try them out in your space. They are excellent speakers for certain, but I would be concerned about whether they might be a bit limited in terms of dynamic output at anything other than nearfield listening which your TV setup is not. If you don't notice any audible issues (recessed bass due to limiting would be my chief concern) at your normal listening volumes, then you're set. If you do, then I'd go for the passives powered by the Wiim Amp instead.

I currently had the IN-8v2 connected but had to return them for budget reasons and they were much too loud when setting up with WiiM Ultra. Most of the time im listening at 70db, if i wanna crank it hard 85db, which they (LP-6v2) should do easily.

From LP-6 2nd Wave manual:

The LP-6 Professional Studio Monitor is designed to have a continuous output of 85 dB at
2.9 meters with 20 dB of headroom.

 

[Ellebob]

Thanks, Already done that, the Kalis do Look best on paper, im just a bit sceptical because they are engineered for near field. Isnt there any disadvantage in using them at 2-2,5m?

No disadvantage. Nearfield in the pro market means they can be used at a close listening position. The sound from all the drivers will be combined at ~1m. Larger speakers like towers placed on a desk the sound would not be combined at a close listening distance. Larger speakers also play louder so if higher volumes are needed then use a larger speaker.

If consumer bookshelf speakers were used in the pro world they would be labeled near field. As you move further away they won't suddenly sound terrible. They will sound the same.

 

[Jcrow]

No disadvantage. Nearfield in the pro market means they can be used at a close listening position. The sound from all the drivers will be combined at ~1m. .

I never knew what made speakers ‘near field’, so that’s very useful to know. I had been fretting about it too, as I want to move away from studio monitors to passive bookshelf speakers for my study desk but didn’t know what would make better near fields. Thanks!