Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 Speaker Review

[bboris77]

Despite the fact that they are rather large, is anyone using these in a nearfield/desktop configuration? I am just wondering how sensitive they are to being positioned close to wall, and how narrow the sweet spot would be from a 3 foot seating distance. I would not mind toeing them in if necessary.

 

[daftcombo]

Despite the fact that they are rather large, is anyone using these in a nearfield/desktop configuration? I am just wondering how sensitive they are to being positioned close to wall, and how narrow the sweet spot would be from a 3 foot seating distance. I would not mind toeing them in if necessary.

I think you could do that. I use my other pair of Aria 906, which are bigger, that way.

 

[Darvis]

Oh! I forgot to mention that! Even so, when you consider these ones surprised me more than the Elacs!
Yep, @renaudrenaud and his wife 3D-printed their own speakers. Very passionate people, I said!

https://sites.google.com/view/audiofolies/diy/impressions3d/spirula?authuser=0

Don't you think your work deserves its own thread?!

Holy cow, they're so cool. And they seem to work well too. I'm always jealous of people with gold in their hands (literal translation of a French proerb, Idk if it exists in English)

 

[daftcombo]

Holy cow, they're so cool. And they seem to work well too. I'm always jealous of people with gold in their hands (literal translation of a French proerb, Idk if it exists in English)

They sounded very good for the driver size, with rather well controlled bass. But the plates didn't vibrate.

 

[typericey]

Both, ELAC Debut DBR2 and Focal Aria 906 have too much distortion to my taste.

Have you owned both or at least auditioned both extensively?

 

[typericey]

Thank you for the interesting impression, just a small request for a clarification as I am really interested for getting the 906 oder DBR-62 for a third audio system.
Could you specify this "contradiction" a bit more?

vs.

I believe the 906 is going for $1000 new. So if you're getting them new, I don't think they are worth the $400 premium over the DBR-62.

But assuming you are getting a used, mint condition 906 for the same price of the Elac, then it's a tougher decision, though you wont go wrong with any of them. 906 definitely wins with build quality plus the Made in France badge (if you're into that), and the availability of dedicated stands.

 

[typericey]

So, what about the DBR62?

Thanks for the comprehensive audition notes. Generally your impressions are similar to mine. If any differences, it's probably because @renaudrenaud's room is different from mine. You seemed to have better results with no toe in, but I prefer a slight toe in (between 5-10 degrees if I were to eyeball it). Maybe because this is how I've been setting up speakers in my entire life.

You mentioned relaxing sound and I can't agree more! If you're a casual listener you plays music in the background for an extensive period, then the DBR-62 is for you. I've said this before but worth mentioning again: absolutely zero listening fatigue.

 

[renaudrenaud]

Have you owned both or at least auditioned both extensively?

My feeling is the following: sometimes@maty has preconceived or erroneous ideas on certain subjects.
No offense, I do not explain the truth, I just write my feeling (subject to misconceptions). Kisses from France @maty.

 

[VintageFlanker]

You seemed to have better results with no toe in, but I prefer a slight toe in (between 5-10 degrees if I were to eyeball it). Maybe because this is how I've been setting up speakers in my entire life.

Imagine I always did the exact opposite my entire life (No toe-in). That could explain why I always prefer wide directiviy speakers. So are the Elac, the 906s and so on.

Despite the fact that they are rather large, is anyone using these in a nearfield/desktop configuration? I am just wondering how sensitive they are to being positioned close to wall, and how narrow the sweet spot would be from a 3 foot seating distance

Unfortunately, we didn't try them that way. Listening was about 3,5 (?) meters away from speakers (correct me if I'm wrong, guys) That's also a very important point to me. This is the "only" scenario where the R3s were doing great by the way.

Both, ELAC Debut DBR2 and Focal Aria 906 have too much distortion to my taste

I beg to differ quite a lot. I already put the 906 to "distort", but it was at very high listening levels, and only in the midrange, due to (I guess) the huge move of the woofer.

 

[maty]

Then many say they do not appreciate differences than others do. The general disregard for the importance of noise, interference and distortion is what he has. Only the frequency response on axis and a few other things has mattered for the vast majority.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Then many say they do not appreciate differences than others do. The general disregard for the importance of noise, interference and distortion is what he has. Only the frequency response on axis and a few other things has mattered for the vast majority.

...Or subjective in-room listening at the end...

 

[McFly]

Whether you can hear it or not, the kef R3 smacks them in distortion. CMIIW, I think the kef R3 is the last one that got measured at 105db compared to 96db on the others?

If your going for hifi HT, then you're a fool to take the others over the kef R3.

And I'm not derailing the thread, I own both the R3 and the DBR-62's

 

[maty]

Depending on the type of recordings heard, the ELAC and Focal will be more than enough. The vast majority today listen to very poorly produced recordings and much worse in the final result offered to the public.

Many things can be tweaked later on a proper loudspeaker but never the distortion generated by the drivers (yes, the vibrations of the cabinet, a fact that many continue to despise, see the case of the DIY X-LS Encore that an ASR member is building to later be measured by Amirm).

 

[thewas]

I believe the 906 is going for $1000 new. So if you're getting them new, I don't think they are worth the $400 premium over the DBR-62.

But assuming you are getting a used, mint condition 906 for the same price of the Elac, then it's a tougher decision, though you wont go wrong with any of them. 906 definitely wins with build quality plus the Made in France badge (if you're into that), and the availability of dedicated stands.

Yes, here in Europe you can get them for a much more similar price so the decision is tough.

 

[tecnogadget]

Whether you can hear it or not, the kef R3 smacks them in distortion. CMIIR, I think the kef R3 is the last one that got measured at 105db compared to 96db on the others?

If your going for hifi HT, then you're a fool to take the others over the kef R3.

And I'm not derailing the thread, I own both the R3 and the DBR-62's

That deserves a further follow up impressions of R3 vs DBR-62 .
This Elac’s looks to be a good bargain and I could use them as surrounds in the future.

 

[renaudrenaud]

Yes, here in Europe you can get them for a much more similar price so the decision is tough.

Elac: 440€. I do not know for the Focal.

 

[maty]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Focal+Aria+906+france

 

[VintageFlanker]

Elac: 440€. I do not know for the Focal.

Same soon. During every Summer Sales, there're plenty of deals for 906s from 416 to 450€. Pair.

 

[Xombul]

@renaudrenaud
Would you mind giving the link for the ELAC in Europ? THKS

 

[ROOSKIE]

Then many say they do not appreciate differences than others do. The general disregard for the importance of noise, interference and distortion is what he has. Only the frequency response on axis and a few other things has mattered for the vast majority.

I know you love KEF and love your q100's , however the Q350 has more distortion at 96db than either the Focal or the ELAC.
No spl level is listed for the q100 test, however my guess is that it is not at 96. I seriously doubt the q100 has less distortion at the same spl as the q350 or the LS50.
Id wager the q100 has much more distortion at 96db than the Focal aria 906 and the ELAC dbr62.
In any case...