• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 Speaker Review

nathan said:
Thanks for pointing that out. Bipole is far more palatable.
Click to expand...

15 years ago Toole made an analysis and concluded that bipolar surround speakers were an idea that made sense for early, matrixed-stereo surround mixing, but not appropriate for the modern era of discrete multi-channel sound. He says to use normal speakers instead. [Correction: I was thinking of dipole surround models, and Toole’s analysis was about dipole surround speakers.]

I have been assuming that their continued presence in the sales listings has been a triumph of marketing over engineering, where they can be marketed as ‘specialised’ surround speakers.

cheers
 
Last edited:
Newman said:
15 years ago Toole made an analysis and concluded that bipolar surround speakers were an idea that made sense for early, matrixed-stereo surround mixing, but not appropriate for the modern era of discrete multi-channel sound. He says to use normal speakers instead.
Click to expand...
He was saying that mainly about the back then still popular surround dipoles, see the chapter 18.4.3 Multidirectional Surround Loudspeakers in his previous edition of the book.
 
Newman said:
15 years ago Toole made an analysis and concluded that bipolar surround speakers were an idea that made sense for early, matrixed-stereo surround mixing, but not appropriate for the modern era of discrete multi-channel sound. He says to use normal speakers instead.

I have been assuming that their continued presence in the sales listings has been a triumph of marketing over engineering, where they can be marketed as ‘specialised’ surround speakers.
Click to expand...
They are still recommended for small rooms where seats will be close to the speakers.
 
@thewas quite right, I was thinking of dipole. I have corrected my post.

cheers
 
Last edited:
Excited to see the floorstanding 3-way and the center channel now up for sale. I have been really enjoying my standmount/bookshelf speakers alongside my SVS SB-2000!
 
Today in St. Petersburg (Russia) I visited a store to listen to acoustics.
The seller offered to listen to: ELAC Debut Reference DBR62, DALI Oberon 3 and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 6G.
I didn't spend a lot of time choosing tracks for comparing acoustics, and the list of the following compositions seemed to me more than enough:
Arnett Cobb - Blue Me.
From the album Touch Yello - Till Tomorrow and Friday Smile.
Compilation by Robbie Williams - Sin Sin Sin, Advertising Space, Angels, Lazy Days.
Eagles - Hotel California.
Each person hears individually, so I will describe what I heard.
DALI Oberon 3 vs ELAC Debut Reference DBR62
Oberon 3 Well built stage, everything in its place. When switching the amplifier to Debut Reference DBR62, the effect of a concave lens was obtained, as if the vocals were pushed far back, the feeling that the sound picture was not complete.
DALI Oberon 3 vs Monitor Audio Bronze 100 6G comparison
The sound of the Bronze 100 6G is flat and somewhat rough.
 
I'd be curious to see measurements on the Dali's. It sounds like they have a mid-range bump, above neutral. I'd also wonder if that would harm longer term listening.

All just speculation of course. Personally I wouldn't want more midrange from my DFR, I think they have the right balance.
 
Vyacheslav said:
the effect of a concave lens was obtained, as if the vocals were pushed far back,
Click to expand...

Interesting way of putting this - but I know exactly what you mean and I've noticed this same "lensing"effect. Different recordings exhibit it more prominently. On certain recordings I think it may actually be a subjective enhancement, adding a bit of the "refinement" that these speakers are often quoted as exhibiting, but when raw, upfront energy is needed by a vocalist or heavier guitar/synth etc. sometimes these sounds can seem recessed in the soundstage in a way that feels like something a little more than just freq response. I think this effect has contributed to the oft-repeated "boring" description of the dbr62. I listened to some metal the other day, which I rarely do, and was like huh... yeah I guess I get the "boring" thing now. This effect can create a beautiful smoothness to the mid range, but at the expense of sapping a little rawness/energy.
 
Chromatischism said:
^ I am using and recommend: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...reo-amplifier-ncore-2x250w-4-ohm-p-14278.html

Pair it with a good DAC/Preamp and it doesn't get audibly better.
Click to expand...

Sorry I am a noob, and I would love to know which preamp, dac and streamer would you recommend.

System
Speaker: Elac DBR62
Amp: AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC
Preamp: Need recommendations
DAC: Need recommendations
Streamer: Need recommendations(Would love if it is something that had HDMI & Airplay too, apart from the standard Spotify connect etc)
 
realdb said:
Sorry I am a noob, and I would love to know which preamp, dac and streamer would you recommend.

System
Speaker: Elac DBR62
Amp: AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC
Preamp: Need recommendations
DAC: Need recommendations
Streamer: Need recommendations(Would love if it is something that had HDMI & Airplay too, apart from the standard Spotify connect etc)
Click to expand...


I'd go with something like a Topping D50s, which has a volume control and BT, so can cover both the preamp and DAC functions (unless you need a phono preamp).
 
ksulliva01 said:
Interesting way of putting this - but I know exactly what you mean and I've noticed this same "lensing"effect. Different recordings exhibit it more prominently. On certain recordings I think it may actually be a subjective enhancement, adding a bit of the "refinement" that these speakers are often quoted as exhibiting, but when raw, upfront energy is needed by a vocalist or heavier guitar/synth etc. sometimes these sounds can seem recessed in the soundstage in a way that feels like something a little more than just freq response. I think this effect has contributed to the oft-repeated "boring" description of the dbr62. I listened to some metal the other day, which I rarely do, and was like huh... yeah I guess I get the "boring" thing now. This effect can create a beautiful smoothness to the mid range, but at the expense of sapping a little rawness/energy.
Click to expand...

@ksulliva01, @Vyacheslav, I had similar experience initially, but it did improve significantly when I eliminated reflections (and I have not yet treated the ceiling, which based on the measurements could be the main culprit). Also toe-in adjustment has noticable effect on the soundstage.

my original post:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rence-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/post-598375
 
Interesting point. Yes those Dali are about $900 in the US whereas the ELAC at about $600. (Both prices are per pair.) So it is a little bit unfair, in that sense. But not unreasonable completely in that someone might well decide $300 is a fine premium to pay if it makes an audible difference.

Since I am cross shopping with the Focal Aria 906....and building out eventually a 7.x.4 system from the same vendor -- while the Dali are then obviously in the range I personally am considering (the Focal are priced like the Dali) the price difference is non trivial, especially once multiplying it by several times to complete the full setup, so the more expensive options better be a step up!

That being said, while a speaker that places things more forward may be more exciting, it may also not be what the recording engineer intended, and may be tiresome after a while. Each person, however, has their own preferences and I have certainly selected and been happy with gear that editorializes a bit, from time to time. I love the Harman curve on my AKG headphones for example!
 
Vyacheslav said:
The store in Russia where I listened to acoustic systems today

https://www.audiomania.ru/polochnaya_akustika/elac/elac_debut_reference_dbr-b6.html
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62
595,18 USD

https://www.audiomania.ru/polochnaya_akustika/dali/dali_oberon_3.html
DALI Oberon 3
654,48 USD
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a lot closer in price than in the US. For an extra $60 per pair I'd go with whatever you preferred while listening, particularly if the dealer allows for returns if you change your mind.
 
Is it just me or I see lack of bass in these speakers. Like total lack of or may be I am doing something wrong. Being a super noob and minimalist I have paired them with sonos amp. And gosh I love the clarity and sound stage just wow amazing. :)

However one place they fall apart is the bass/low end esp at low volume. I don't know if its just me, or a bad pair of speakers or something else in my setting. Sadly trying to figure out how to make them sound better in low end without getting a sub.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
RP 500/600 M II , DBR 62 , UBR 62
Replies
1
Views
813
kyuu
kyuu
thump
ELAC Debut Reference DCR52 - Looking for Horizontal Directivity Data
Replies
1
Views
529
kyuu
kyuu
H
Amp choice for Elac DBR-62
Replies
6
Views
4K
Roland68
R
D
ELAC Carina BS243.4 vs Polk R200 (with WiiM devices)
Replies
9
Views
1K
LADO_B
LADO_B
amirm
  • Poll Poll
AsciLab F6B Bookshelf Speaker Review
20 21 22
Replies
432
Views
86K
jEDGEc0m
J
Back
Top Bottom