Thank you for the detailed review of the ELAC DFR52. I bought these speakers based on your video. The sound and quality of this speaker is better than anything I have owned and such a great price.
I think this is a really good idea. Whilst we’re not going to hear exactly what you’re hearing, the live commentary between the different styles of music really helps us to pinpoint your thoughts on a piece of equipment.
Outstanding review! In fact this review was the most analytical, empirical and useful I have heard. Pleasantly absent was the much overused flowery descriptions that are devoid of objectivity and are purely as per the reviewer's tastes and preferences. You did an excellent job of correlating what you heard with measurements and breaking down the frequency range and using tracks that tested each segment. Your reviews are typically well scripted and thought out but this method/format is particularly informative and useful. Keep up the great work.
I put on my 8-armature IEM's, went back and compared the 4 vocal tracks at the end of video, on this Elac DFR52, GR X-LS Encores, and Spatial Saphires. Both box speakers had vocals more clearly sculpted in image density, more present and forward as well. Some may call this trait the byproduct of box "colorations and resonances," but until the recording engineers use open baffle speakers to monitor the music, this is the kind of sound we have grown up with and our brains recognize as familiar IMO...
Wish AJ had made a DFR62... With maybe two 6.5 woofers instead of three 5.25's? Really wonder what that would have sounded like! Seems like the DBR62 goes a bit lower in bass, but not as loud as these towers. Thanks for the video. Very helpful sound clips.
Ron fantastic video. As someone just getting into this hobby I really appreciate seeing how you go about assessing quality. I learned a lot. Keep em coming
(Update) I figured it out... the dip at 200hz is my floor. No worries or concerns there... I just need to figure out how to fix it! Anyone want to come over and remove my floor? Sarah will love it! Hey Folks, the dip at 200hz must be room interaction or something about how im measuring them in room, I just checked and the crossover points on these are 90 and 2200. There is no way it's the crossover point on the speaker. I'll investigate and have it figured out in time for the actual review.
My first thought is that it's destructive interference from the floor. Try measuring with a large cushion on the floor in between the speaker and the microphone. Thanks for the content.
Two ways to fix it: 1 - Put something absorptive on the floor between the speaker you are measuring and the microphone. An acoustic panel at least 3" thick made with rockwool would be ideal, but soft furnishings/clothes/towels from around the house will partially work too. 2 - Use a gated measurement and splice it together with a near-field measurement. You can read how to do this online, or Danny will tell you I'm sure. Best, Dan
I'm glad someone got around to listening to and posting their thoughts on the DFR52s. My impressions of them after a month or so of listening more or less match your's, though they seem to sound more pleasantly holographic in your video than they do in my small NYC apartment. Like in your video, I find myself missing the more impactful bass that a dedicated subwoofer can produce when I'm not running them with my SB12-NSD subwoofer (which is never when I'm not tinkering with placement or testing their range). Also if may be my room interactions, but when listening to music, I really enjoy the texture and detail of the mid-bass of these speakers when I cross my system over at 60 hz, and had found the bass handled by my sub distracting when I had set the cross over at 80 hz.
That dip in the midband was noticeable almost instantly - testament to your expertise and talent in recording. This shows you how valuable and informative sound clips can be... I don't care what some people say haha! Is this what people refer to when they talk about the 'BBC dip'? Phenomenal work as always.
Great review! I purchased a pair of the Debut bookshelf speakers sitting on good Wharfdale speaker stands and driven by a Hegel H90 and Schiit Modi DAC. The source is a laptop with JRiver software with the built-in equalizer activated. I can tell you that I never thought I would enjoy these speaker like I have. I intended to keep these until I purchased a more expensive pair, but I am going to keep these. For the price of these speakers, they are really good.
I have the bookshelves and it sounds very similar to what you are describing. The towers don’t seem to be getting any lower than the bookshelves but I imagine they can get louder without distortion due to the crossover taking low end out of the upper of the three woofers. But for my smaller room the bookshelves are plenty loud and clean. Edit: I do not hear that dip at 200hz. I also have these paired with an SVS SB-2000. My Rooms too small to fit 2 subs :(. I also have the matching center channel. Let me know if you want my thoughts on it.
PS: you should check out male vocals w/ HAEVN “We are” & “The Sea”. You’re welcome. Probably “Sound of Silence” by Disturbed as well for range. Female vocals w/: Freya Riding- Lost Without You Halie Loren- Sway; Ode to Billie Joel Clare Teal- California Dreamin’ Eva Cassidy- Ain’t No Sunshine Maria Mena- I Was Made For Loving You Haley Reinhart- Cant Help Falling in Love Melody Gardot- From Paris With Love Cloves- Everybody’s Son
Thanks for the great video and review, very high quality content here! Which speaker would you recommend to get that nice tones but the right bottom end? :/
How do you feel 3 pairs of these would sound in a 12x14 HT for fronts, sides, and rears [possibly front wides too]?? ....with obviously a sub [15” HSU 1ULS15 MK2].
Just became a subscriber. Great job! I just returned the Debut 2 5.2 center channel and was thinking about the Klipsch RP450c and compared them with these. I have Wharfedale Valdus 400se fronts so I would be just getting a new center, what are your thoughts? I saw you reviewed the Debut 2 6.2 and it looked like you like them. from the video, it did not look like you toed them in? The reason I sent back the 5.2 was because the off axis sounded horrible, maybe it was a bad speaker?
I'm relatively older more than likely compared to many who listened to this. We all have personal tastes/preferences. I started out with Fisher Tube amps, handmade mahogany enclosures, 12 woofers with solid brass horns. Talk about too bright LOL. Then onto JBL 100's, Thorens turntable, seperates, then L200's, Mirage OM10's with sub and Rotel. Anyway, for $1,200 a pair, and my preference for this speaker's presentation, especially with female vocalists, I thought they were excellent. I don't like listening fatigue, I don't need bass to 18 hz etc. Great review. As far as the dip due to the floor, I dealt with the opposite once removing carpet for porcelain tile in a large den. What a pain. Equalization is the answer IMHO. Thanks very much!
Ron, what a tremendous job you have done! Congrats. I have a pair of ELAC DF52-BK and wonder how much of your review could be applied to my speakers, in general terms of course. I really would appreciate your comment.
Very nice, informative video. I especially like the SPL graphs, they lend the necessary empirical data to your observations. I own the bookshelf version of these. I'm very happy with them, but they (obviously) lack the punch of my Monitor Audio towers. I will look at your other videos to see if there are other options in this price bracket. Thanks, great job!
Exceptional review and stellar audio clips, dude. Very impressive amount of descriptive and helpful information. I’m kinda surprised they only go down to 50Hz. Definitely need subs. Overall, I thought they sounded pretty good and weren’t the worst speakers I’ve ever heard. The Schiit stack seems to be doing a great job driving em too. I’d love to see a review with audio clips of the Schiit stack with better speakers like the Spatials or the NX Oticas after you review the Aegirs. Maybe put a turntable into the mix? 🤷♂️😉 Thanks for the great review, Ron.
hi, ron, I am a fan of yours and really like your review, especially for the ELAC Debut 2.0 DFR52, then I bought it, and now I have a 5.1.2 atmos system, all ELAC, including DFR52, UB52 ,UC52, Debut A4.2, and subwoofer 3010, in my spare time music and movies are half and half, my power amplifier is yamaha A2A, I am now encountering a problem about the crossover point, I hope to get your help, see Movies, what is the best setting for the DFR52 crossover point? If you are listening to 2-channel music, what is the best setting for the crossover point? Just provide a little reference value, Thank you very much.
i know its been a while since you did this video, but i have had the oberon 5s (which i liked just too small of a tower) focal 906 and dali opticon 2. the dali's were in my imperfect room just too sharp sounding. Do you think this is a speaker that will trump these other ? i like a relaxed sound with a nice midrange..
I’ve seen a lot of your videos and appreciate your reviews and info do you have bookshelves and floorstanders in your mind that you’ve heard where you’re like these are the go to speakers you would own? I guess end game is the term you use when describing speakers you’re satisfied with. Obviously $$$ is a factor but best in tier before moving on to tier 2 and tier 3 if tier 3 is really even worth it
Ron...I liked everything on these speakers from the top end all the way down to the mid-bass. I did not like the bass response as it sounded a bit boomy and muddy...not quick or fast bass at all. I don't think adding a sub to these speakers would correct this. I do agree that the vocals all sounded outstanding! Thanks for the sound clips!
I'm listening to this video through a pair of Elac Uni-Fi UF5 floor-standing speakers right now and wondering what am I hearing? Am I hearing his Reference towers, his microphones, or am I hearing my own Uni-Fis? - Actually I guess I'm hearing my Uni-Fi's rendition of his Reference speakers. So I'm actually hearing my own Uni-Fi's, again, like I always do. Every day... Not to mention I'm also hearing my amps rendition of his amp and microphones... Sadly you just can't take the delivery system out of the equation. Go and listen to them, and if you can't just buy the damn things. Of course they will sound good. They're from Andrew! Lol.
Funny that these and other Elac's sound great over YT demos even better than speakers I know and know I would choose over them,With this very limited format they shine.It is weird.
Ron, great music room and one terrific system for not a lot of money (in audiophile monetary scale). Did you fix the 200Hz dip? BTW, can't expect more bottom end extension with 5 1/2 drivers a an enclosure with relatively small internal volume. First time I click on your sound clip portion of your reviews - congratulations on the excellent execution, and effort - all other reviewers now pale in comparison - so you need to review more affordable speakers! Paradigm, PSB, the newest very affordable JBL's, Warfedale, Emotiva, the newer JAMO's, Monitor Audio, etc. Cheers!
Thanks Ron. Really enjoying your sound clip uploads. Is it possible for you to come over a pair of Paradigm's? Paradigm 800F is in the 2000 USD price range. Curious to hear your thoughts on how it sounds.
Sounds like a typical Andrew Jones frequency response curve. I do notice that my original debut series speakers have a slight cabinet residence in some of the lower frequencies. I’ve never been able to exactly pin down where at, but I think it is somewhere between 50 and 80 Hz.
Oh, It would be SO good if you could do this to Fyne F502 and ProAc DT8 - New things to check out in North America. I think both are ridiculously good for the pricetag.
@@overkillonslash What were you looking for in the sound or what is one speaker you personally will praise? Extremely disappointed compared to? Now I wonder, what gear did you compare it against? I am interested in your taste since there is that into play. Someone who's lusting after something like Klipsch Forte will find ATC SCM-50 extremely boring, by example. Remember, the same engineer developed XT8F, and "the absolute sound" gave that speaker incredible high praise to the midrange, but other things fell a bit shy/short. These Fyne addresses the complaints on the other areas while retaining the "$10000 dollar" mark midrange quality. Being disappointed makes me highly curious.
@@overkillonslash What did I like? Tone is astonishing - instruments sound very lifelike, wood against wood is textured and spot on. Size of image and soundstage is massive, expands way beyond the speakers in height and width. Classical orchestra, for a 2-way, is jawdropping as to how much separation retains within the image, how precise and defined it remains, and how impactful is when timpani or gongs drop. The bottom end extension really generates a sense of size and weight. It has tremendous depth in the soundstage, as it does not place the image in front forward, but from between the speakers and then it layers towards the back. It's clearly distinguishable that lead vocal is front, and choir or secondary voices are behind, while other instruments retain space. I did find the bass to be a bit slower compared to other implementations, but notes are distinct, clean, and it does dig DEEP. It plays notes something like the Focal Aria 936 cannot, yet, the Aria is faster... but the scale is not up to pair. Now, texture, it has plenty. One can hear the drums membrane after the impact. Very sweet texture on the bass. The Highs are not fatiguing at all, they are very smooth and plenty fast with the right amp, yet these speakers would not satisfy the detail lover ear. It's sound signature is not like KEF / Focal. It was holographic, punchy, very close to full range, natural, exciting, VERY dynamic, with tremendous micro-dynamics that can be experienced in the detailed layering in depth. Midrange has plenty of energy, snares are quite snappy, and its density is capable to rattle surfaces with midrange energy, you can experience it by playing something like Dismember - Massive Killing Capacity and even for the genre is yet smooth and double bass kick is distinct and confined. Jamiroquai - Morning Glory, there is a cowbell around 5:40, that goes around your head. That's some sweet imaging right there. Moloko - Forever More, one can pick easy there are 3 voices layered, while everything else retains its place. Antonin Dvorak - The Golden Spinning Wheel / Crown Imperial - W.J. Duthoit, it retains composure while playing thunderous drums, and allows for a really stunning and scary experience in a mid-size room (bit over 35M2) Sera una Noche - Malena - It's stunning how it conveys the energy and size of the bombo legero. I mean, these speakers put a scene, with a very nice tone, amazing dynamics while keeping the image steady in-depth and with a nice believable size behind the speakers. So, not first row, but from a satisfying distance. I find them really amazing, to be honest. I do not think a new audiophile looking for a very impressive hi-fi bright presentation or a slamming bass would feel impressed by these. Although a bit coloured, it feels like it does it by addressing the ear curve sensitivity because they turn warmish and very natural sounding, for many dark, unimpressive, dull.
@@BastianUllr i like speakers with a fairly flat sound signature. One of the best one includes the TAD me1, probably not a fair comparison , however for the same price i prefered the KEF R7 to the f502sp, despite the slightly metallic sound on vocals. Probably the think i liked about the f502 was their presentation of soundstage , as u said they have pretty good layering and a large soundstage , however i don't like their tonality, Bass is also on the weak side both in terms of extension and speed. I've also tried the monitor audio Pl100 and prefered those, although i don't exactly remember what i liked about it.
@@overkillonslash Now we're talking. Indeed, you are speaking to someone who Sold his R700 and replaced them with Tannoy. I got extremely disappointed in the new KEF sound signature. Coming from the sweet memory of Calindas into finding the sound of LS50, that was dreadful to find. It's bright, thin, lacks body, imaging is about makind things float in the air, but by no means one can crank the volume to get body out of the figures in the room. Went up to KEF R700, and that was it, sold them and cancelled my journey with new KEF. It's a matter of preference. I would not speak poorly of KEF, they are impressive speakers for people looking that, detail. Instead of listening to the whole Harp or Guitar, its tone and body, With KEF one is listening to the plucking of the string and the decay of the sound. With KEF bass will be tighter and the layering is also there in the voice. But the metallic tone is the queue here. Wood against wood is not believable anymore. The weight of drums loses it's filling character. Stuff like that... all sacrifices and compromises. It's taste, that for sure.
I agree with the need for subs, these and the bookshelf debut reference require subs as bass is unremarkable. Go with a sub that can resolve bass texture and the Elac References seem so much more complete.
Nice presentation on those Elac DFR-52....Probably to get the best performance out of those would be to have "GR-Research" exam those internally and test to get a graphic analysis to find it's drops in the spectrum...Exam it's cabinet design and cross-over usually finds it's weakness in the cross-over design...Recommends his replacement parts to get top sound performance...
Nice Ron, this one has better treble integration to mids than the spacial M3, but the bottom is less inferior than the spacial, but i like the schiit stack
Ron, just thinking, with the excellent sound quality of your sound clips, if you were to use the same recordings for each speaker review - you could put together a video where we hear the sound of several speakers and get a pretty good idea how they sound with the same recording. Won't replace an in home audition but a good indicator of the differences. No one else has given us this kind of video and you seem to be in a position to do so. Hope you are inclined to do so.
I'd argue there was a lot of overlap in the selected tracks. I can tell you *real* female vocals on the DBR version might just catch you off guard and bring you to tears.
If treble was less grainy and hazy i would like it Nothing that a better cap with bypass and clear sounding resistors could not correct or improve dramatically.
Question I do not have a subwoofer everybody says to put my main speakers which are elac F5 floor standing speakers on small because I don't have a sub when I put my receiver on 3/2 because I do have five speakers hooked up it automatically defaults my front speakers to large and I can't change it the only way to put them on small is to do 3/2.1 then i could put them to small will large setting for my main speakers hurt them
Put them on small and adjust to 40hz for the F5, not having a sub you are losing out on some bass info if you dont like how the 40hz sounds switch it to 60hz. But without a sub I would try 40
@@Newrecordday2013 Yep, definitely. Just wanted to mention that it really is possible to differentiate between speakers even with downscaled RU-vid audio.
Elacs are overall more enjoyable. I've compared the two this week and bought the Elacs. If you are looking for a lot of bass and warm mid pick Elacs. I've compared them to Focal Chora 826, B&W 603, Dali Oberon 7. Focals and B&W if you are looking for detail. Remember that you should always listen for yourself ;)
@@Newrecordday2013 Hmmm that's a damn good question, 3.6m X 6.5m (I'm an Aussie hence the metres) I listen at medium levels, occasionally I go nuts and crank Mr Bungle or something but mostly married guy with 3 children levels. 😉 I guess I'm after something different, I own a pair of PSB images and an Athena 10" sub so they can pump and rock my room but I'm interested in hearing what a design like to avos or open baffles can do. P.S Try listening to Mr Bungle - Disco Volante album, I think you'll be impressed, and if you like interesting music you won't find better. Get your big boys out, make sure nobody else is home and twist that volume dial towards the sky. Thank me later.
