Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 Speaker Review

[Guddu]

1) Which budget 100~150 W amplifier can drive this speaker well? You won't mean Fosi V3: it's been reported that it can't drive the woofer well, it's anemic, and it has load

Where has it been reported?
Me thinking why cannot an amplifier drive it if it can pump up circa 100watts @20Hz?
Help us (or at least me) understand this.

I am not satisfied with its sub-base and base performance myself, and sure many others will have same feelings but this speaker is still a more than decent buy if one got only 500$ to spend.
I would ask to add some decent upgrade recommendations here to help if you can.

 

[TonyJZX]

i mean its an avg. sized bookshelf with 6.5" drivers

from the charts it looks no better or worse than the competition and really, its all you can expect for the box vol.

cant beat physics

i think realistically the V3 mono would drive this effortlessly?

 

[Guddu]

i mean its an avg. sized bookshelf with 6.5" drivers

from the charts it looks no better or worse than the competition and really, its all you can expect for the box vol.

cant beat physics

i think realistically the V3 mono would drive this effortlessly?

My personal experience of v3 mono pair with DBR62 has no complaints, it’s different thing however if I prefer it or not!

 

[dasherzx]

So….these speakers made me shat my pants when I got them (best blind buy ever, thanks asr), I paired it with an elac sub.
That was 4 years back. I’m looking for the next bug thing that can make me feel the same way again. Would a neumann kh120 ii be a worthy upgrade? I know the price difference between them is bonkers but that’s how good I think these elacs are. I’d probably go demo the neumanns if it’s worth the trip.

 

[cavedriver]

DBR62 is an hyped speaker by Amir. No other website has praised this speaker that much. Not even Erin, who said it's just good for the price. (with which amp? He tests with Benchmark or the like). It's not that great:

1- It needs (a lot) of good (class D, AB) power to offer decent bass. Otherwise, the bass is boring and not well controlled.

2- Top end is rolled-off. There is no way out of this. Tweeter is very conservative. This makes the speaker boring to most people.

3- This speaker has a good midrange response, but again you will have to spend on a 1.5k+ AB (not D) amplifier to unveil it.

If you going to bring the problem, then you also have to bring the solution. So what speaker at this price IS better?

 

[DeadAndCompany]

So….these speakers made me shat my pants when I got them (best blind buy ever, thanks asr), I paired it with an elac sub.
That was 4 years back. I’m looking for the next bug thing that can make me feel the same way again. Would a neumann kh120 ii be a worthy upgrade? I know the price difference between them is bonkers but that’s how good I think these elacs are. I’d probably go demo the neumanns if it’s worth the trip.

Better ask in the thread about the Neumanns or make your own thread. This is about the DBR62.
(Aren’t there enough ‘upgrade’ suggestions on the last pages for you? Or are we gonna discuss any other speaker in this thread?)

 

[jruser]

So, my take on all of this… If you only have $700 to spend and want the best speaker we have Klippel data on, the DBR62 may be it.

There have been a lot more speakers measured in the last four years. You can get things almost as good for less money or things that are better for at least 20% more money.

A lot of people bought it based on Amir’s review. A lot of those people are also now looking for upgrades so this topic tends to come up.

 

[goldark]

So, my take on all of this… If you only have $700 to spend and want the best speaker we have Klippel data on, the DBR62 may be it.

There have been a lot more speakers measured in the last four years. You can get things almost as good for less money or things that are better for at least 20% more money.

A lot of people bought it based on Amir’s review. A lot of those people are also now looking for upgrades so this topic tends to come up.

Having owned both, if you're looking at passive bookshelf speakers, the Ascend Sierra LX would be noticeable upgrade. And taking into account diminishing returns, the LX isn't twice as good for twice the price - but this is to expected in audio.

A more significant upgrade would be to get towers or a fully active system. If not wanting to spend that much, the DBR62 is as good as it gets for around $600.

 

[Guddu]

Having owned both, if you're looking at passive bookshelf speakers, the Ascend Sierra LX would be noticeable upgrade. And taking into account diminishing returns, the LX isn't twice as good for twice the price - but this is to expected in audio.

A more significant upgrade would be to get towers or a fully active system. If not wanting to spend that much, the DBR62 is as good as it gets for around $600.

It’s more meaningful if we look at specific target for improvement, otherwise it sounds a bit vague.
Personally I only want to see improvements in base/sub-base regions after DBR62 in my next speaker.
The other solutions like using a sub with a separate crossover etc. aren’t feasible in a few cases, like mine, and so a speaker upgrade is probably the only option I have to keep things tidy.

Going double the price doesn’t bring double the performance in almost every case with speakers, however it’s totally practical.
Purify’s 6.5 mid- range driver seems really good, probably a decent 2-way design with it might be available in near future.

 

[ninetylol]

It’s more meaningful if we look at specific target for improvement, otherwise it sounds a bit vague.
Personally I only want to see improvements in base/sub-base regions after DBR62 in my next speaker.
The other solutions like using a sub with a separate crossover etc. aren’t feasible in a few cases, like mine, and so a speaker upgrade is probably the only option I have to keep things tidy.

Going double the price doesn’t bring double the performance in almost every case with speakers, however it’s totally practical.
Purify’s 6.5 mid- range driver seems really good, probably a decent 2-way design with it might be available in near future.

You should try the Lintons if you can and got the extra space. Its similarish warm sound like the DBR62 but better in every facet imho.
Better bass, bigger sound, great imaging and tonality is spot on, i often think some sounds are coming from my neighbourhood.

 

[wyup]

4) if you want 500€ crossover which is strained in under 400€ speakers contact Dany (after all he have to eat same as everyone else) at least Andrew used high enough impedance drivers that such won't kick it down too low.

Even spending 500€ on a new crossover wouldn't be too much on this speaker, it deserves it as it still sounds better than any 1.000€ speaker. I've calculated around 300€ for 2x4 polypropilene capacitors and 2x2 resistors. For a bit more you replace all 4 inductors for top of the line components, binding posts and better internal damping.

1) try starting with Yamaha R-S/A-S 20x series and that's good (enough) old class AB.

I tried a Unison Research Unico Primo on them and they sounded amazing, great bass and midrange body, except for top-end. A Musical Fidelity A1 did great aswell, for a bit less drive. Even My 250€ Onkyo A-9010 sounds good on them for the price, but they can do much better.

You should try the Lintons if you can and got the extra space. Its similarish warm sound like the DBR62 but better in every facet imho.

I've audiotioned the Lintons last week with three different amplifiers (Musical Fidelity M6si, Rega Elicit and Arcam A15). I was about to pull the trigger on a timely discount. They sound better than the DBR62, I agree, mainly because they fill up better. They've got good midrange. But bass is still loose, and treble is similar to the DBR62 (though a bit better). They didn't fully convince me. I'd have to find a better speaker overall when spending more.

I've also made a budget to upgrade all Linton crossover, I've seen examples on it on the web. Costlier than a DBR62 mod, but good reports from people.
I've told myselt that I'd like to try a upgraded one on my DBR62 before passing them on. I've heard them sounding great on good amplifiers. This is my take, and I'm making up my mind.

 

[DeadAndCompany]

Even spending 500€ on a new crossover wouldn't be too much on this speaker, it deserves it as it still sounds better than any 1.000€ speaker. I've calculated around 300€ for 2x4 polypropilene capacitors and 2x2 resistors. For a bit more you replace all 4 inductors for top of the line components, binding posts and better internal damping.

I tried a Unison Research Unico Primo on them and they sounded amazing, great bass and midrange body, except for top-end. A Musical Fidelity A1 did great aswell, for a bit less drive. Even My 250€ Onkyo A-9010 sounds good on them for the price, but they can do much better.

I've audiotioned the Lintons last week with three different amplifiers (Musical Fidelity M6si, Rega Elicit and Arcam A15). I was about to pull the trigger on a timely discount. They sound better than the DBR62, I agree, mainly because they fill up better. They've got good midrange. But bass is still loose, and treble is similar to the DBR62 (though a bit better). They didn't fully convince me. I'd have to find a better speaker overall when spending more.

I've also made a budget to upgrade all Linton crossover, I've seen examples on it on the web. Costlier than a DBR62 mod, but good reports from people.
I've told myselt that I'd like to try a upgraded one on my DBR62 before passing them on. I've heard them sounding great on good amplifiers. This is my take, and I'm making up my mind.

Upgrade-itis.

Capacitor upgrade in crossover - Is it audible?

As the topics "capacitor upgrade" and therefore "capacitor sound" is very controversial, the test method and its results are explained in detail. This cannot be dealt with in one minute. Sorry for this and I hope your attention span is still sufficient to read through a long text - whereby the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[tw 2022]

Upgrade-itis.

Capacitor upgrade in crossover - Is it audible?

As the topics "capacitor upgrade" and therefore "capacitor sound" is very controversial, the test method and its results are explained in detail. This cannot be dealt with in one minute. Sorry for this and I hope your attention span is still sufficient to read through a long text - whereby the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Bingo... If you want a dbr 62 upgrade, i think maybe bmr's , ascend sierra's , kef r3.... Why screw around with something that has good value already... Dennis Murphy keeps telling me to not bother upgrading my emotiva b1 mods with anything below that level... So I'd assume the same holds true at the dbr 62 level as well....btw , Dennis really liked the stock dbr 62s, he didn't see any point in upgrading those afaik......

 

[Power Pop 23]

The ELAC Debut Reference DBR-62 Loudspeaker is currently on sale for $524.98 a pair at ELAC dot com and select retailers:

Debut Reference | Bookshelf | DBR62 | Best Audiophile Speakers

Elac - The life of sound | Best Audiophile Speakers

www.elac.com

 

[mattzildjian]

hidden-audio.de have reduced the price back down to €360 and ship to most non US countries.

 

[mattzildjian]

Does anyone know why on the Spinorama website Erins measurements are the default and considered higher quality than Amirs?

Measurements for speaker Elac Debut Reference DBR-62

www.spinorama.org

EQ is only offered for Erins measurements, is it more accurate?

 

[staticV3]

Does anyone know why on the Spinorama website Erins measurements are the default?

Purely by chance, I reckon.

and considered higher quality than Amirs?

They're not. Both Erin's and Amir's measurement quality is considered "high".

It says so in the first line of the Data tab.

 

[ZolaIII]

Does anyone know why on the Spinorama website Erins measurements are the default and considered higher quality than Amirs?

Measurements for speaker Elac Debut Reference DBR-62

www.spinorama.org

EQ is only offered for Erins measurements, is it more accurate?

There is quite a story behind it but you gonna find yourself. Both measurements methodology whose the same. Neither whose complete and both evolved methodology their own way up to present time.

 

[SmokedBurger]

Hello! I would like to know if this perceived treble is caused by my room or a unit variation of my elac’s? There’s a huge treble spike from like 10k to 18k. This was measured using my iphone xr mic which my friend says is a calibrated mic. Im not sure how accurate it is but it is definitely abit spicy in the treble, if it is my room how can i fix it? I have a 3 meter high ceiling and the length and width of my room is around 2.82 meters x 2.54 meters. Your help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[staticV3]

Hello! I would like to know if this perceived treble is caused by my room or a unit variation of my elac’s?

Impossible to tell from that graph alone.

You can try doing nearfield, gated measurements of each speaker, then overlaying the two graphs to show unit variation.

For this, use Room EQ Wizard to export a measurement sweep as .WAV, then play it back on the Elacs (each speaker separately) and record the result with your iPhone.

Go to REW->Import->Import Sweep recording to load the measurement into REW, then apply gating according the the guide below to show the speaker's response sans room acoustics.

The closer the iPhone's mic is to the tweeter, the better the result.
Naturally, microphone distance and position must be matched as best as possible between the two speakers, for meaningful results.

One moment, please...

No you don't need that special miniDSP mic to do this. The iPhone works just fine.