Review: Elac Debut DBR62 Reference Speakers 

Heard these at RMAF and was impressed. Andrew has a good sense of humor and was an interesting host for the session. Might get a pair just because.

OMG that speaker looks pretty awesome, that tower could very wel be the end all loudspeaker. Can't wait to get them this summer and see how they hold up against my beloved Kef RDM 3's. Great work Mister Jones!

Thanks Steve, Great real world reviews!

I really appreciate that you test these things out with electronics from a similar price range instead of jumping straight to ultra-high-end gear. Most people who buy these will be using something like Denon or Yamaha and not Pass Labs, etc.

What a battle this will be Triangle Bro3 vs these Elacs!!! Can't wait for Sean's thoughts from Zero Fedilty.

Steve thanks to your review of the Tannoy Cheviot I discovered "gimme fiction" from Spoon. I felt in love with that album, thank you so much

Great! I'm waiting for reviews, cause I think they will be great as my first ht setup!

It seem that somehow I get all the best music recommendations from Steve - my new goto for great artists I have never heard before. Turned me on to some fantastic shit.

Bought a pair these for home theater use in a 2.1 channel setup. They replaced Dali Menuets which were too small for the room. The Dalis run circles around these in the highs but all the same I like them. I’ve got a Schitt Vidar to push them around and they have that “bigger” sound I was looking for. Steve’s right on in this video. For the money they’re a good first purchase. Compared to the Dalis(which cost 2x more) the highs in the reference lack the airiness that the Dalis do with ease. Also the Dalis have a sweetness to their sound which is wonderful with music but neither here nor there in home theater. They've now broken in and even without the aforementioned airiness of the Dalis they're quite enjoyable with music. I'm pleased with my choice of Elac over Klipsch.

We'll see. I just bought 'em. /Love LOVE your music recommendations. 💪🏼💯👏🏼👏🏼

Wilco-YHF broke my heart and repaired all at once. Love that album.

I just started listening to these speakers yesterday. Obviously they're not broken in yet but they're so sweet that I'm already very impressed. I''ve been on a quest for awhile now and I was starting to worry that I was going to have to go way up in price until I heard these. I'm listening to Bill Evans right now and Scott Le Faro's bass sounds terrific. I should mention that I auditioned the Triangle Bro3, terrible IMHO, Klipsch RB61 ii nice but a bit shouty and B&W 606, piercing highs but lovely in every other way. Checking male/female vocals I listened to Herbie Hancocks "Gershwin's World" Joni Mitchell sings a beautiful rendition of "The man I love" and Stevie Wonder "St. Louis Blues" Both sounded just the way I had hoped. Some claim that the piano is the most difficult instrument to get right with speakers. I don't know how true that is but Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock's piano sound beautiful and with some weight. If you're in the market put these on your short list. Thanks for your review and recommendation Steve.

Hey Steve, as ever thanks for your review always precise, thorough and detailed with your own humour ejected, I look forward to your next post. I purchased the Debuts 2.0 b6.2 very recently, after much consideration it took me about 4 months to work through a long list of speakers and your review amongst others helped me to my decision, these speakers are everything I want them to be and more, hooked up to an onkyo tx8220 amp/tuner, a denon dcd 800ne CD player and a denon dp 300f turntable, I was looking for big sound on a reasonable budget and all of these deliver. My mother passed away in October 2019 and all this in her memory as she taught me so much about music, I miss her everyday.

Hi Steve, I took the plunge and now bought these speakers , and found them quite balanced nice sounding audio . Regards mark

Steve, you love Andrew Jones and you love Wilco. Nice review. These speakers seem like a big jump in construction, styling, and sound quality over the entry level Elacs.

Hi Steve, loving your channel, fantastic info every time. Would it be a stretch to ask that you list your album music used in these reviews, in the blurb section above with the equipment details? I'm fascinated to hear what you are listening to, and i find myself having to replay, many times, the portions of the review to catch the album and artist names. which can on occasions be tricky to spell of they are unfamiliar. A Tidal link to the same might be cool too, although they are at times not carrying the albums you reference. Brilliant work, many thanks.

You are the best Steve!

Haven't heard the Debut 6.2s. Would really like to but I have to say I really love my Dali Zensor 3s. And would love to compare them. Great vids, btw, Steve.

I listened to these at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Festival and they sounded well balanced; I put them on my wish list. The Elac carina bs243.4 sounded less bright at the top end, but to me more pleasant overall. It was a close call. They both were demoed at the 2019 RMAF.

Re the tower version: Andrew Jones said in one of your interviews that there’s always a tug of war among 1) box size 2) efficiency 3) frequency extension (at the low end). So if the box gets bigger, like it does with the tower, it will be able to go deeper or be more efficient ... or a little of both.

Never heard wilco before love them thanks Steve

Thanks Steve, appreciate your content! How would you say these compare to Revel Concerto2 M16 and Focal Chora 806 in overall tonality and detail retrieval?

Another great review, Steve. Makes want to hear a pair. Can you list your music recommendations for this video? Thanks!

That white/oak finish took quite a bit of "inspiration" from Dali's Oberon series. Well, Mr. Wilde once said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

I heard the Debut 6.2's at Axpona in 2018, and I told Andrew Jones that clearly, the Debut 6.2 speaker was the best $300.00 per pair speaker that I have heard in the market at that time. Excited to hear these Debut Reference 6.2's, hopefully at Axpona 2020!

Hey Steve, love you, brother. So great that you talked about Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If you haven't seen the documentary, I'm Trying to Break Your Heart, you should definitely check it out.

I’ve been out of the speaker loop for a bit since I bought the uni fi ub5 speakers last year. How do these two compare? Are they just different or does one have a clear advantage?

Hey Steve, love your review. Can you please mention the albums you used for the review in the video description?

Good overview. Can you please add in the description of your videos the musicians and songs that you mentioned in the video? Thanks!

good review, explained well,

Thanks, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂

Hi Steve, enjoy your work, and agree with the Wilco album, great stuff! Fyi. I have a pair of Pioneer BP BS 22’s that I picked up used for fun at $100 Cdn, and am amazed at the sound, as many others are. I’ve had all sorts of small monitors over the years (Spendor, Harbeth, KEF L’s 50, Spica, etc) and there’s just something about the little Pioneers that just sounds right....I think I love their balance. (I support them with a small REL sub in my nearfield basement system). Q: is this new Andrew Jones Elac design close in balance to the Pioneer? The Pioneer is great for the $$, but could this Elac offer similar sound but with more: detail, transparency, bass, etc? I’m thinking about them in my mid sized room system, so they’d be listened to farther away than in the basement man cave. I don’t like bright or forward balances, as these old ears have heard a lot of loud live music over the years, and are sensitive to pushy mids and treble. I would really appreciate your perspective on this as I can’t listen to the Elacs these days due to COVID, or be able to compare the two at home. I’ll hold onto the Pioneers for a switch up once in a while...too much fun for so little investment :) Keep it going and thx, Rob

Coming from the Pioneer BS22, how would you characterize this speaker vs the Pioneer? I've been looking for a meaningful upgrade for listening at my desk. I enjoy the pioneer but, to my ears, they aren't very well suited for near field listening. Do you think these would be a good option for that, or what else would you suggest for that type of use case?

I like what you said about these speakers being a great starting point, and something to grow with. Would they pair good with the NAD C316 V2? Thanks!

I'd like to know how these stack up against the Triangle Borea BR03 bookshelf speakers. Very close in price to one another

I love the sound of my Debut 6.2s but they are very plain to look at. When I bought them I didn't realise how many hours I would end up sat there looking at them with music playing.

i was able to hear these speakers demoed by Andrew Jones at RMAF last fall and they are impressive and certainly a great value and worth the upgrade from the original B6 or B6.2.

And thank you too for the demo/info 👍🏼👊🏼. UK

I'll add to same question, you've heard the Triange Borea BR 03 and now these. What are the differences. What are the similarities.

Can you say how these would pair with a PSAudio Sprout100. I do love my Debut 2.0 b6.2's with the Sprout.

So many interesting new speaker technologies are appearing as never before. Computer technologies allow for predicting and analyzing various speaker concepts and exotic materials predicting the results before a physical speaker is even constructed and testing allowing for countless tweaking of parameters before a new product ever hits market. The cost of speakers is mostly in R&D and final manufacturing can be outsourced to foreign markets where manufacturing facilities provide for good quality with lower construction costs creating maximum profit margins. This is not to mean our old vintage speakers are landfill material but only that a new developmental technology is providing consumers with more sound choices (pun intended) than ever before.

Sounds good but how does it compare to the unifi B5 for midrange & balance?

Yankee Hotel is my go to reference record!

I can't get over the fact that the grille mesh perforation for the tweeters are so uneven and not more circular but i'm sure the speakers are super!

What’s the ideal listening point of the speakers? I have mine about 8ft apart. Is that too close or too far?

It's getting tough in the affordable budget speaker range. In Australia I would like a bid group test between these the dynaudio emit, b&W 606s kpliscg rpm600, kef r350 Which one is the best

I got some DBR62 in 2020 for under $500 a pair on sale. As nice as they are, I installed a .1uf 1% metallized poly bypass cap on the tweeter cap. It took an excellent speaker to outstanding.

I would love to review these speakers Steve ! I'm About to review the JBL studio 530s, I have had them pared with 4 different ampliefiers now and they like ⚡, but thank you for the heads up on the new ELAC and the review !

How do these speakers (which I own) compare with the Lore reference? I know it's apple oranges just would love to hear from someone who has listened to both to see if it's worth the trouble to switch.

How do these compare the the UB5?

Is it worth getting rid of my 6.2? So many other choices in the 600 range

Hi Steve, I got the original B6 because of your CNET review. They are amazing for its price point. I’ve enjoyed them immensely but now I’m thinking of upgrading to the reference series. Do you think the sound quality difference is enough to warrant an upgrade?

How do these compare to your favourite RP-600M’s?

How much would you have to spend to get better, and what percentage of improvement would you get for the extra money ?.

Hi Steve great information video am thinking replacing my b&w 606s2 anniversary with these, it’s difficult these days as they are other good speakers and getting the right one not so easy these days, regards mark

How do these compare to klipsch rp600-m?

could i ask you Steve,which would you buy.The Elacs or the Polkr200?

How does it compare to the Klipsch RP600M?

Steve, I think you meant "AXA" when you said "CXA" for the Cambridge. Also - how about a comparison to the Klipsch RP-600M?

very interesting review! how does this DBR62 compares to Elac Uni-fi UB5 ?? does one or the other have a clear advantage?? i listen to classical and jazz... any advice anybody? or other considerations up to $1000US. will be powered with an Iota VX SA3 . Thanks!

Excellent!.

Hi Steve! Question, I have a Pioneer thx94 Elite receiver, 09? It's a 7-140 watts, Now iam getting the Elac unified b52, 2.0. If I set this up 2 channel stereo mode, do I hook it up to the front speakers a-b hook up or other!? I have alot of different and versitle Hook ups, it is 7 way😁The speaker is 6 ohm. Any thoughts on this, from anyone in this forum would be much appreciated 🤘😁 thanks again

I just sold my Bowers and Wilkins 685 S2 which I felt sort of bored by. I have a Rotel A12, which I know at some point I need more power. But for now, how might these Elacs compare to the BW? I want something more exciting, more soulful really. I want to hear great guitar strings in folk, Americana, but I'd also love to hear great bass. And yes, love Wilco a lot.

I can afford the speakers but not a new amp. I've got an Onkyo Receiver - 65 W/channel into 6 ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.7%, FTC. I've heard Elac's are power hungry. Will the receiver work. Classical music into a small room.

When steve says "pretty pretty" he reminds me of Larry David.

Steve; of subject. Why does outlaw audio have no customer service. and why do compinies hide or not show there damping factor?

You should make a video with your wife in the video. What has been her experience with you and your hobby? Was she supportive did she push back? Does she appreciate Hi Fi? Etc.

We have the original Debut's that had phenomenal bass response and highs that were "decent". The .2's fixed a lot of what people complained about with the highs, but the low-end suffered significantly. On the Debut Reference, I'd be interested to know if the new crossover and basket fixed a lot of the bass issues that the .2's have.

As Elac Reference R62 seriam um upgrade real e consistente em todos os quesitos em relação as Pioneer FS52?

Just bought these for my daughter. She's 20, playes the flute, never had a Hi Fi set up. Just earbuds and my stereo. She asked for some "white bookshelf speakers" Was looking at every speaker out there under $500 (focusing on the$300 zone) about purchased Triangle BR03, but didn't even consider these Elacs because of price. Found an open box set on line for $499 so I got them. I looked at them for myself before so I already was biased toward them. Cast basket makes me feel they put some effort into making a quality product (I have nothing against quality steel baskets, just generalizing) and I want her first set of speakers to be good quality and last as long as she needs them too. All I could afford to power them, after buying stands and decent speaker wire, was an SMSL A300 integrated amp/DAC. Everyone says it is exceptional for $200, DAC not great but usable and the analogue side actually sounds excellent, within reason I'm sure. She can upgrade at will after that. Yes, I totally blew my budget, but she is my only daughter and I love her.

The Elac B6.2 is now $249 a pair. If the Reference is $599 a pair, does the sound improvement in the reference worth $350? Or should I choose another $600 speaker?

Just got the XTZ A2-300 (hooked up to a Blusound Note 2i) and am looking at the Triangle BR 03, the Elac Uni-fi UB5 or these Debut DBR62..... anyone compared these?

in the uk (maybe just in yorkshire, i dont know) if you say someone topped themselves it means they killed them self :) so when you said "he keeps topping himself" i was like OH MY GOD! haha

getting to be many real, real ' good' options in the lower - mid price range. From Qacoustics 3020i , others have mentioned Klipsch , KEF Q350, Triangle and others .... just from reviews, I'd guess nearly all sound VERY good, the days of ' budget' meaning cheap doesn't fly anymore . go back maybe to the Polk RTi3 @ $ 250. pair. very good except in low bass, say below 70 hz. oh, just for fun, I spent $50. on a sheet of real Oak veneer ( PSA glue) and stuck it on my KEF 350's - looks really, really good. how long will it stick, who knows but worth it if it does stick. $1000. + spks. for $650. PS. good on Ya for testing with the actual amp level nearly all actual buyers would use.

How do they compare to the Uni-fi speakers?

Which is better this or the Klipsch RP-600M?

Andrew Jones topping himself, means something else in GB!!!!

Looks damn gud! Little too $$$ for me. I think front port has more bass presense IMO. My JBL 503 are rear ported so bass is more subtle.

Any chance you could do a, review of bowers n Wilkins nautilus range Steve and recommend best amp as it is something I want invest in but it's a, lot of money and want it right appreciate you busy Steve love these videos so informative cheers kev

I just watched a video of Jones himself saying these are $499. $100 price increase really is quite a lot.

KEF Q150 is awesome as well

Excelent !.

This is the real world -99% of what we can afford to buy!

Hmm, I wonder how these would compare to Dali Oberon 3s

I am choking on Elac and Buchart reviews. Is there no one else, as Achilles once said??

Surely, there should be a comparison with the uni-fi-UB5, no?

Hats off for suggesting good albums instead of making useless sound demos of crappy copyleft music. The mention of kid koala few videos ago conquered me: I love that stuff and I believe that creativity in music can exist regardless of the production method. Check out 'A Color Map of the Sun' by Pretty Lights: best electronic album of the decade imho ;)

Will be nice to get an upgraded unifi speaker. For the price he doesn't sound convinced in what he is saying, maybe these should have been at 500 a pair or 525 when comparing these to the rp600m or triangle.

So Steve, time for a three way dance. These Elacs v LRS's vs Triangle BR03's.

Did you ever listen to the Adantes Steve?

New cabinet/port have an increased bass response compared to the 6.2? Love the 6.2, always wanted just a little more oomph in the low end (think debut V1).

That’s my favorite Wilco album! Steve can you tell more about your speaker setup? Distance between the speakers and the listening position. Distances from wall etc etc.. it looks like you have a pretty close listening setup.

40 Hz?

Andrew Jones is making it easy to get great sound for a little money now days great job

I have ub52 end dbr62. I definitely like the look of dbr, sound signature is similar, but bass sounds more punchy to me on ub52.

No comparison with the rp 600m?

I haven't heard them so I don't know about the sound, but they definitely look a lot nicer. You call them a starter speaker but they seem to me to be a good first step up for the guys looking to upgrade from the $300-ish level. I guess the obvious question is do they beat out your beloved Klipsch RP600 since they're the same price?

There are systems with these built on Amazon now

like the old school grill cloth

Elac Reference vs RSL CG5 would be a great battle.