If you’re short on time and just want the highlights of this article, here it is:
The ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers offer a balanced, full sound with plenty of detail. The two-way design with the 1” cloth dome tweeter and 6.5” woven aramid-fiber cone woofer provide a balanced sound. Additionally, the dual-flared ports and full-perimeter brace minimize cabinet coloration and chassis resonances. The speakers are also very versatile, with multiple audio inputs and outputs, as well as Bluetooth connection.
Overall, the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers provide a good sound quality with plenty of detail in the highs, lows, and mids. The full-range sound, powerful bass, and easy connectivity make these speakers a great choice for those looking for a balanced, full sound. The speakers may not be perfect for those looking for an overly loud or bass-heavy sound, but they are certainly worth considering.
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Now let’s get to its bolts and nuts.
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Review: Sound quality
Have you ever noticed that there often tends to be quite the opposite opinions about a speaker?
I can understand this for more "personal taste" kinda products like clothing, for example.
But for engineering products like speakers? Personal tastes and preferences probably still play a role. But shouldn't it be less?
Why is it that we can't set a universal metric for sound quality?
First time I asked this question to myself has been a pivotal day.
Because it turns out that in the mid 90's, Electrical Engineer PhD Floyd Toole came up with a method called Spinorama. This is exactly what he accomplished with this. Turns out that his book Sound Reproduction is like the bible of audiophiles.
Put it simply, Spinorama is a set of measurements that gives a comprehensive overview of a speaker's performance from various angles.
It allows you to compare the performances of different speakers before even laying your ears hands on them.
Isn't that amazing?
This is why Spinorama was apparently groundbreaking news for audio industry. Hence in the mid-late 2010's, most brands and magazines began publishing Spinorama measurements, despite the challenges of making such measurements.
Fortunately, now we have the Spinorama data for a bunch of quite popular speakers. Pierre Aubert put all this untidy data together and put it into https://www.spinorama.org/. This is a stunning source. Pretty valuable stuff from him right there.
All good up to this point.
Now there comes a caveat.
Since the sound speakers propagate are in the form of omnidirectional waves, all measurements are obtained in anechoic or semi-anechoic chambers (a super-quiet room where soundwaves don't bounce back, here's how different that room sounds [a mind blowing time-adjusted video]).
This is a problem because it means that Spinorama alone, unfortunately, won't give us all we need. Placement and reflections play an equally important role there too.
This is why most A-class brands (like SVS, Bang & Olufsen, etc) often come up with room correction features, adjusted either manually or automatically. The EQ adapts itself to the placement (room, corner, center, etc) for a better (deeper and more accurate) sound. Which is great.
Additionally they often emphasize the importance of placement, here is an example: https://www.svsound.com/blogs/subwoofer-setup-and-tuning/75365187-the-art-of-subwoofer-placement
Anyways...
The source code under Pierre Aubert's work is licensed under GPL (General public license). He didn't perform any of the measurements himself, and instead he compiled all of them into one place, so that makes sense.
At this point, I thought that if there was a tool that combined both the Spinorama with the room acoustics data, it'd be extremely useful.
Unfortunately, it turns out that there wasn't any.
This is where I stepped in and partnered with an Acoustics and Audio Engineering PhD in order to achieve this.
We combined Spinorama data with room acoustics and came up with Soundton. A very simple, 2D online tool that allows you to:
- Reveal optimal speaker positions in a room,
- Test with real speakers from real brands,
- Compare different speakers and different positions in the room.
It can be very valuable for the vast majority.
The colormap provides you the locations with the best (green) and worst (red) listening experience.
It works the best with subwoofers since Soundton processes low frequency response waves only.
- Soundton is going to be, say, 80% accurate. Not 100%.
- Because, other parameters such as the age/materials of the building, furniture/windows in place also have an impact on room acoustics.
- If you want absolutely the most detailed room analysis, then what you need is an acoustics consultant. Mind you that's going to require deep pockets and patience though... assuming you find the right person and they get the job done.
Anyways...
As someone who prefers a balanced sound with plenty of bass, I was eager to try out the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers. After researching the product and reading reviews online, I was excited to see how the speakers would perform.
The speakers have a two-way design, with a 1” cloth dome tweeter and a 6.5” woven aramid-fiber cone woofer. This tweeter and woofer combination is designed to provide a balanced, full sound. To enhance the sound quality, the speakers also feature a waveguide and grille design that can improve upper high frequency response. Additionally, dual-flared ports are included on the speakers to provide lower noise and higher bass output. ELAC has also included a full-perimeter brace that joins the top and side panels, significantly lessening cabinet vibrations and minimizing cabinet coloration. Finally, the cast chassis woofer also increases sound precision and reduces chassis resonances.
When I tested the speakers out, I was pleased with the sound quality. The bass was clear and punchy without overwhelming the rest of the sound. I had no issue understanding dialogue in movies, and voices were never muffled. The highs were crisp and clear, and I heard plenty of details in the music I was playing. The speakers are capable of accepting up to 120W of power from your amplifier and have a frequency response of 44 Hz to 35 kHz.
While I did find the sound quality of the DBR62 speakers to be good overall, there were some improvements I would have liked to see. The bass could be a bit beefier, as it felt a bit restrained at times. Additionally, I would have also liked to see more clarity in the mids and mids, as I found them to sound a bit muddy.
Overall, I was pretty satisfied with the sound quality of the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers. The sound was balanced and full, and I heard plenty of detail in the highs, lows, and mids. While I would like to see a bit more power and clarity, the sound quality is certainly worth considering.
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Review: Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers are more than capable of connecting to a variety of audio devices. The speakers come equipped with gold-plated 5-way binding posts, as well as a standard dual phono/RCA connection. Additionally, the speakers also feature an XLR connector, making it easy to connect to a variety of audio devices.
The speakers also support Bluetooth connection, making it easy to quickly and easily connect to your favorite audio devices. The Bluetooth connection is relatively easy to set up and the range is good, allowing you to move around without any issues. The speakers also feature an auxiliary input port, allowing you to connect to a variety of external audio sources such as CD players, MP3 players, and more.
Overall, I was impressed with the connectivity of the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers. All of the inputs and outputs are clearly labeled, making it easy to connect the speakers to a variety of audio devices. Additionally, the Bluetooth connection is easy to set up and provides a solid connection with good range. It’s worth mentioning that the speakers do not support Wi-Fi, so you cannot stream music directly from your phone or tablet. However, given all of the other options, this is not a major issue.
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Review: Most & least ideal user profiles
The ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers are perfect for those looking for a balanced sound with plenty of detail in the highs, lows, and mids. The woofer and tweeter combination provide a balanced sound and the dual-flared ports offer enhanced bass output. Additionally, the Bluetooth connection and auxiliary port make it easy to connect the speakers to a variety of audio sources.
The most ideal user for the DBR62 speakers would be someone who is looking for a balanced, full sound with plenty of detail. The speakers can handle up to 120W of power, making them great for those who want to maximize their sound output. Additionally, the speakers are versatile and can connect to a variety of audio sources, making them great for someone who wants to listen to a variety of music.
The least ideal user for the DBR62 speakers would be someone who is looking for an overly loud or bass-heavy sound. While the bass is good and punchy, it is not overly loud or powerful. Additionally, the speakers don’t have the same level of clarity as some other speakers on the market, so those who are looking for the perfect sound may be disappointed.
Overall, the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers have a lot to offer and are great for those looking for a balanced, full sound with plenty of detail. While they may not be perfect for everyone, they are certainly worth considering.
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 Review: Conclusion
The ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers offer a balanced, full sound with plenty of detail. The two-way design with the 1” cloth dome tweeter and 6.5” woven aramid-fiber cone woofer provide a balanced sound. Additionally, the dual-flared ports and full-perimeter brace minimize cabinet coloration and chassis resonances. The speakers are also very versatile, with multiple audio inputs and outputs, as well as Bluetooth connection.
Overall, the ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 speakers provide a good sound quality with plenty of detail in the highs, lows, and mids. The full-range sound, powerful bass, and easy connectivity make these speakers a great choice for those looking for a balanced, full sound. The speakers may not be perfect for those looking for an overly loud or bass-heavy sound, but they are certainly worth considering.