ELAC DBR62 Debut Reference Bookshelf Speakers - Black/Walnut - Pair

Andrew Jones Takes the Debut Upmarket

The Debut Reference DBR62 is the standmount in ELAC's Debut Reference line, designed by Andrew Jones. It pairs a 1-inch cloth dome tweeter in a new waveguide with a 6.5-inch aramid-fiber woofer on a cast aluminum chassis, in a cabinet just over 14 inches tall.

The cast chassis stiffens the woofer and the front baffle, and a full perimeter brace ties the top, bottom and side panels together. The dual-flared slot port is designed for higher output with less noise. The crossover sits at 2,200 Hz.

Two Finishes, Two Looks

ELAC offers a white painted baffle on an oak-finish cabinet or a black painted baffle on walnut. Outrigger feet and spikes are included for stand mounting, which widens the footprint and steadies the cabinet.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

ELAC quotes 44 Hz to 35 kHz, 86 dB sensitivity at 2.83 volts and a 6 ohm nominal impedance, with a maximum input of 120 watts. What Hi-Fi? suggests amplifiers of the Rega Brio or Cambridge CXA61 class, which is 50 to 60 watts of good quality.

How Much Room It Takes

Each cabinet is 8.2 inches wide, 14.1 tall and 10.8 deep, and weighs 18.1 pounds. The port is on the back, and What Hi-Fi? found the sound congested close to a wall, so plan on about 20 inches of space behind them.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi? gave the DBR62 four stars on November 13, 2020: "We love their midrange performance. It's clean, clear and impressively delicate, without sounding forward or overly etched."

On vocals: "They dig deep into vocals and bring out the nuances and texture as capably as speakers that cost hundreds more." The reservation was that with hard-hitting music "rhythmic drive and dynamic punch are subdued."

The verdict, aimed at listeners who value finesse over punch: "if the DBR62's talents align with your tastes, we doubt you'll find better for the money."

Who Is This Bookshelf Speaker Best For?

• You listen for voices and texture — the midrange is what every reviewer singles out, and it is the reason to choose this over a punchier budget speaker
• You want a speaker that grows with your system — What Hi-Fi? called them revealing and said better electronics show what they can do
• You want a real Andrew Jones design at a sane price — the cast chassis, waveguide and perimeter bracing come from his higher-end work
• Your room is medium sized — a 6.5-inch woofer reaching 44 Hz fills a living room, and the stands it wants will fit one
• You want to feel the drums — consider the Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 instead; its three-way concentric design adds scale and drive, while the DBR62 trades punch for finesse

How Do They Connect to Your System?

Speaker cable runs from your amplifier to a single pair of 5-way binding posts on each cabinet, red to red and black to black. These are passive speakers, so there is nothing else to power or configure.

Fit the outrigger feet, put the speakers on solid stands about 20 inches from the back wall, and toe them in slightly. What Hi-Fi? stressed that weak stands or electronics will hold these back.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the setup. These are the categories most DBR62 owners shop next.

• Integrated amplifiers — 50 watts or more of good quality into 6 ohms; these speakers reward it
• ELAC LS-80 speaker stands — ELAC's own 23-inch stands, rigid enough for an 18 pound cabinet
• Music streamers — a revealing speaker deserves a clean source
• Speaker cables — a sensible gauge for a 6 ohm load

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the DBR62 sold as a pair?

Yes. The price is for two speakers, with grilles, outrigger feet and spikes in the box.

How much amplifier do they need?

Sensitivity is 86 dB into 6 ohms and maximum input is 120 watts. Fifty to 100 watts from a well-made integrated amplifier is the sweet spot. They are easy to drive but quick to show a poor amplifier.

Can they go on a bookshelf against the wall?

What Hi-Fi? tried it and advised against it: the sound became congested. Start about 20 inches out and adjust from there.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for music. The DBR62 reaches 44 Hz, and the review noted enough reach to give solidity and weight. For film, a subwoofer adds the bottom octave.

What finishes are available?

White baffle with an oak cabinet, or black baffle with a walnut cabinet. The oak version is listed here as White/Oak and the walnut version as Black/Walnut.

How does it compare with the Uni-Fi Reference UBR62?

The UBR62 is a three-way with a concentric tweeter and midrange, a larger cabinet and more scale. The DBR62 is the simpler two-way, and the one to pick if midrange delicacy matters more than punch.

See It in Action

Steve Guttenberg, the Audiophiliac, reviews the DBR62:

Erin's Audio Corner on what to know before you buy:

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