The Best ELAC Speaker: Debut DB62 vs Reference DBR62 vs Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2023
- Purchase:
Debut 2.0 DB62:
howl.me/chP17t7fpyG (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3Oi2BUf (Amazon)
Debut Reference DBR62:
howl.me/ckaQ1BALXxL (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3q3Z2Jl (Amazon)
Uni-Fi Reference UBR62:
rb.gy/tu5rj (Audio Advice)
howl.me/chErPHS8J0A (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3OizL62 (Amazon)
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All of my tests are conducted using KLIPPEL Hardware and Software. KLIPPEL is an innovative leader in providing unique test equipment for electro-acoustical transducers and audio systems. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, the novel techniques developed for control and measurement systems of loudspeakers and other transducers are the result of over 30 years of fundamental research. This provides more accurate physical models of loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones valid for both small and large amplitudes. The focus is on revealing the root causes of signal distortion and defects and giving practical indications for improvements in design and manufacturing of audio products. For information on KLIPPEL products, please visit their site below:
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Incredibly helpful video. Please continue to analyse the most popular speakers (especially in entry-mid market) to give us a more objective view of their performance. Definite way to grow the channel.
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
The people spoke . Erin listened. He built it. They will come. They will watch.
Haha. Yep. I thought it was a good suggestion from folks and it was a nice break from the norm. 🙂
Yup - c’mon folks. Upvote, comment, etc. Let’s help this get some traction!
I read that in Ray Liotta’s voice.. (R.I.P.)
@@rickg8015 ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you for continuing to post these great videos, Erin!
I have been on your website many times to read speaker reviews so nice to see you are doing videos now. Thanks for all the work you put into reviewing speakers.
This channel is becoming quickly one of my fav hifi channels. Data driven approach, without neglecting personal subjective details. Thanks Erin. 👍👍👍
Since all 3 sound great, I say get the one that looks best with your decor or the one you can best afford! I enjoyed the DBR62 greatly when I had it - best combo of price, looks and sound!
No doubt. FOMO!!!!
@@ErinsAudioCorner interesting comment about bass boost 100 hz. Because data from high end speaker (i forgot brand), they have boost bass about 50 hz to 150 hz.
FYI: I listened to this video on my pair of Original ELAC Unify UB5's. I thought if I were to ever replace them I would go up to the UBR62's, but I'm very happy with them as they are. Thank you for this shoot-out!
Another masterful shootout. I ended up with an earlier iteration of the Elac Uni-Fi UB5 speaker, and am enjoying them. Not perfect, and I wish at some point I had your science that you bring to help me understand them. From not understanding anything, the more I hear your comparisons and reviews, the more I enjoy and understand what I have in house. Thanks man! 🙃
That's the kind of feedback I love to hear!
Bore us?
Amazing work you are doing.
The best.
Thank you !
Great comparison of three great speakers!
Then I played my 5.1 all channel stereo and bam! It didn’t hurt my ears at all. No fatigue ! And an even better experience , wow !
This is what I was looking for amigo. Subscribed!
Great set-up for testing speakers!
Wow - what a fantastic review and comparison!
Thank you!
Thank you Erin!
You bet!
This comparison idea is awesome. I'm really looking forward to the Arendal version of this!
“A proper shootout with some proper speakers” - Reggie Kray, probably
I love my UBR 62s, and believe they are worth the extra cash. The DBR 62's seem a little boomy and congested to my ears, while the UBRs sound more open and expansive. They are also VERY forgiving of poor recordings, so if you listen to a lot of older rock or R&B music, these are a godsend. Thanks Erin!
I had a set of UBR62's and found the midrange to be too laid back. They were easy to listen to (not fatiguing), but the snare drum and vocals always sounded like they were in the background. The sound stage was incredibly wide, which was a real plus.
I really love my UBR too. Lush top end. Beautiful natural midrange and full bottom end 🤩
@@DigitalPhilosophers Yes. The midrange of the UBR is a real star. Very natural and well-integrated. So nice compared to the glut of boosted-treble screaming speakers that seem to dominate the market. Another set of speakers I’m quite fond of is the Kef LS50 META. I’d love to hear Erin’s review of those….
Enjoyed this shootout, Erin. Good to know they are decent speakers as i own one of the sets.😅
Моё мнение: классный мужик. Очень нравится ваша работа.
Hi Erin, this particular video is especially well made. I don´t mean that your other videos are not well made, but this video will really help customers to sort out which one of these speakers suite their needs the best. Thanks a lot for your work. Greetings from Germany.
I bought the cheaper DB62 on sale at $240 less than a year ago. I also bought the cheapest Onkyo AVR for $230. I have a lot of digital music in FLAC format. I plug the USB into my Sony blu-ray (non 4K and $70) and play it in DIRECT mode through the Receiver and whoa it sounds pretty clean and dynamic compared to anything else. Not bad for a bedroom system, the only issue is that the receiver is kind of large. Been thinking about a small subwoofer like that 8-incher you tested but have to find a way to 'hide it" to please the Mrs. I would cross-it-over somewhere between 80-100 hz. Thanks for your review.
Over the years I've had some great/ expensive speakers. I find that these Elacs you are comparing are, simply put, GOOD Speakers and provide GREAT musical enjoyment (I love mine and have no urge to replace them/ search further)
I listened to these three plus others online (at E Project on YT) and concluded that I prefer the lean & tuneful bass of the Debut 2 B6.2. The differentiator is how male radio announcer voices sound in room, natural or tubby. There is pretty much universal praise for these by online reviewers. The price dropped to $240/pair on Amazon recently, that made them the bargain of the century, so I had to order them. I ran them in (in anti-phase for two days) & have been enjoying them ever since. Has anyone truly isolated that 700Hz resonance & has a simple fix?
Wow that was too fast from you bro 😮.
Didnt expect it this fast when you said you would be doing an elac series video. Welldone and thanks for it 🎉.
Now something to note about : I guess there was some technical update that went through the UBR62 's with the price hike from 1000$ to 1200$ because the early version of the UBR62's had a cutout on the speaker grills on the driver side, whereas the later versions came with a full mesh grill design which looked more professional and perfectly curved than the previos one. So i believe there must have been some internal changes as well for the extra 200$ hike apart from the redesigned grill alone. This only my Guess.
UBR62s need a good AMP to show its true potential. I recommend Tube Amps(atleast 40watts RMS) if one can afford, if not AL7000a as a solid state AMP with a Subwoofer.
Purchase:
Debut 2.0 DB62:
howl.me/chP17t7fpyG (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3Oi2BUf (Amazon)
Debut Reference DBR62:
howl.me/ckaQ1BALXxL (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3q3Z2Jl (Amazon)
Uni-Fi Reference UBR62:
rb.gy/tu5rj (Audio Advice)
howl.me/chErPHS8J0A (Crutchfield)
amzn.to/3OizL62 (Amazon)
Using the links above earns me a small commission at no additional cost to you. This commission goes toward me creating high-tech laser beams that can shoot down asteroids before they crash into our earth. This, therefore, means your purchase of any of the above products via my affiliate links goes toward saving the world from certain doom. 🙃
Amazing to see so many speakers with cabinet resonances, everything made to a price, that's why I DIY only. Looking to build my own amplification next, best way to get your money's worth.
Not bad speakers, certainly better than those costing a whole lot more. Of these if I was in the market, I'd likely just take the cheapest one.
Nah! Paying full price for brand new speakers is a huge waste. You can get equal or better speakers for a few hundred dollars on the used market. YMMV.
I owned the DB6.2(cheap one), powered by a huge Yamaha AV receiver and it was a decent balanced speaker but the high end was definitely grainy and annoying for long listening even though I was able to EQ with the receiver... I now use the Kali Audio LP-6 for the home studio...
Great video
Great video as always! Much love for this man
I'm surprised the UB52' 2.0's didnt make the cut for this shootout.
I bought the DBR62 like 6 months ago at 300€/USD. Pleased with them, i did noticed however a little bit the Mid-range being kinda laid back on some songs. Fortunately i have a minidsp so there is no issue anymore. Big THANKS for your videos Erin! 👍
Where did you get them at 300€?
@@dnd6379 One year ago now on black friday sale, here in Germany.
@@mariouslm Yea but which store?
@@dnd6379 It was Saturn.
@@mariouslm Picked up a Polk R200 for 480€ as well :)
Great video.
Thanks!
I bought 3 pairs of the DB62 when they dip $240/pair and matching center for my 7.2.4 setup. I’m satisfied with the sound after EQ with Audyssey
bought the floorstanders dfr 52 and never looked back. 900$ new. elac makes great products for the money
Very interesting comparison Erin, thanks for your hard work. This leaves me wondering though, which if any Elac bookshelf speaker model doesn’t exhibit any of the “issues” cited here, and at what price point would an all around “good” Elac bookshelf speaker be, if it exists. Or for matter, at what minimum price point can any brand bookshelf be had without issues (within reason of course) in diffraction, resonances, dynamics compression, et cetera.
Killer round-up, ... a thorough look at these three Elacs.
What matters, and why.
Good stuff.
Thanks so very much for this review. It helped my wife and me decide on getting the Reference DBR62 (on sale and backordered until February). I do NOT want any more speakers with metal tweeters, and this seems like it will be a great fit for my aging and quirky ears. Thanks for all that you do!!!
Having heard that Thomas reported hearing an anomaly in vocal but could not pick it out when trying. It sounds like you have exposed a possible explanation in the 700hz range. Love the maths and science.
Excellent videos as always Erin. 👍 Is or would there be any measurable difference grills on vs grills off?
Erin, you've got to be the best speaker reviewer on RUclips. This is so detailed, well thought out and presented. I've wondered how these ELACs compare to my Wharfedale Diamond 225s. Probably a lot of similarity, maybe better.
Wow, thank you!
Great touch with images of the speakers in the lower right corner ❤
I know there's no love for the Elac UB52s here, but I am really enjoyin em..
I love mine too. They beat out the DBR62s for me. Then I bought the UBR62s and have the UB52s as surrounds
Great speaker but you need a lot of 4ohm power to get them to sound good. Otherwise they come off bass shy and fatiguing.
Thar type of power doesn't come cheap, unfortunately.
@@wymotomeThey really came alive with dual A07 Max's in Mono mode.
Thanks for the review. I am trying to understand my preferences and namely, know why I don't like the Elacs as much as other speakers.
This of course, is while enjoying music and not worrying about precision in the sound stage.
preference order
.5 or 1.5 JBL Stage 590 (apples and oranges wildcard)
1. SVS Ultra Bookshelf (bought used for less than UBR62)
2. RP-600m II
3. RP-600m I
4. RP-160m
5. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (UB52-BK) I have only listened to these on a desktop near field, maybe I should ran these higher or get them into a different setup.
Am I crazy for thinking the 52 seems to pump out more bass than the UBR62 ?
6. ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 (bought on sale scratch and dent, still higher than what I bought the used SVS ultra)
Apples and Oranges Wildcard: I have the JBL Studio 590, Apples and oranges, I know. I only prefer them over the SVS ultra for bass and Airy wide stage.
This might mean that I would like the wide of the 85 Lintons over stage precision placement.
I guess It wont matter if I cannot stop my addiction to buying them all :) No bargain is as good as not buying.
The UBR62 remains the most expensive Bookshelf speaker I bought. Most expensive speaker was a blemished SVS Ultra Center from SVS outlet.
Side note: I bought an old Sony Compact MHR-78p at goodwill for $18. The speakers are Bi-amped, and rated at 8ohms. I hooked them Bi-amped to RP-160m's.
Probably the best that little compact has sounded in its life.
Thanks for doing the comparison video, I was looking forward to this one. I currently have the db62 and I've considered upgrading to the dbr62 for a while now. Any thoughts or opinions on the upgrade?
I think it’s definitely a worthwhile upgrade to the DBR62.
Folks I been listening to a lot of reviews on the elac debut 6.2 of which I had bought . A lot of negativity on it making me doubt my purchase. I’m no expert but I know what I like and what I don’t like. I don’t like alot of midrange. I thought buying a two way speaker would eliminate that. But apparently that’s not the case. Lessons learned. I watched a sound off with es20 against the elac 6.2. The 6.2 had a more powerful midrange, but I’ve also learned it depends on the music played and amp driving it. I have a onkyo 5tx-rx502. It drives the speaker good. I played” higher love” by Ben fox. And that was a beautiful experience on these speakers ! 🤣
Generally if something is mostly linear but has more volume in an area you don't like, you can EQ it toward what you want. The TX-SR502 should have at least tone controls if not a 5 band equalizer. Go in there and drop the mids out!
Erin, where would the Airmotiv B2+ fit in with these??
Can you get your hands on the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 and/or Silver 100? It would be great to see the measurements and get your feedback on these speakers.
Thanks to share this interesting video. I need to ask a question please. I need 2 speaker to listen TV. I make video editing and I make documentaries with narrator voice. I'm thinking to buy Elac Debut b5.2. In your opinion are there other better speakers with the same price and for this purpose? I thank you.
between UBR62 and Polk R200, from listening point of view, which will u purchase. thanks
I would love to see a review from Monitor Audio Silver 100 or Gold 100, thinking about buying Kef R3 Meta or Monitor Audio Gold line.
Same here! Have the Bronze 100s and like them but Monitor Audios don't get reviewed enough. Be curious how the Monitor 100s would review here Erin.
Good.
Hey, Erin. Any subwoofer tests planned? The newer Klipsch RP subs are getting a lot of praise, I'm curious how they stack up against competitors.
Possibly some really small ones. But nothing heavy for sure.
Hello Erin. Thanks for the video. Quick question. Did you fully break-in the speakers before your measurements? It seemed that my DB62 speakers sounded quite differently after a long break-in period.
They were used and listened to by myself well before testing. 👍
it's just in your head
Thanks for this fantastic comparison Erin. I'd like to know your thoughts on DBR62 vs Polk R200 since you reviewed it I think a month ago
DBR62 without question. IMHO.
@@ErinsAudioCorner surprisingly..
@@ErinsAudioCorner Thanks for your response. I own both speakers and my inclination is always on the DBR62 too.
Hi erin
Is it possible for an old/vintage loudspeakers to measure bad/fair but to sound good in real life ?
When playing pink noise on my new UBR62 I found two very prominent 10 dB high narrow peaks standing out of the spectrum at ca. 9 and 17 kHz. Same for both speakers. My older speakers (30 yr old MB Quart One) are flat here so it is really in the UBR62 and not in the amp or measuring device. Any thoughts?
edit: seems the culprit was the AVR doing some digital artifacts on the main zone channels where the UBR62 was connected, whereas the other speaker were connected to zone 2 and used Direct mode w/o digital artifacts.
What about other bass metrics (somewhat subjective, but definitely audible and discernible) like speed, texture, and definition? Seeing how they're made from different cone materials, densities, and designs, you would think that may have an effect on their bass performance despite having similar bass extension.
I have owned the DBR62 and now own the UBR62's, first thing I noticed (when only listening to music with the UBR) was that bass "quantity" of the DBR is slightly more than the UBR but the UBR has much better bass definition and texture than the DBR and is a little faster sounding, it also feels like it goes a little deeper (in my room) The upper mids are better defined and project better, also there is slightly better clarity to the treble. Both are good but the UBR is a clear step up in sound quality, as it should be.
Erin mentioned something weird going on with possibly cabinet resonance on the UBR but I don't hear any problems with that at all, I think what he measured is possibly front port related or maybe not enough internal wadding.
@@mgsamps Thanks for providing some much needed clarity. I think just saying something has nearly the same bass extension doesn’t even come close to describing how that bass compares quality wise. Surely Erin can hear the differences?
@@JAYDAM I have no doubt he can, but his listening time is probably limited somewhat by all the technical data he has to correlate and also putting the videos together, which takes a lot of time and effort.
I should also add, I've actually had the BDRs and UBR's apart, the UBR has much better build quality, better quality crossovers, back plate and binding posts, a more solid construction compared to the DBR's and better finish, this is where the extra money is spent.
When I first got the DBR's and did the knuckle test on the side walls I was quite worried there was going to be some bad cabinet resonances, and although there is a little, it is mostly kept under control, which is testament to Andrew Jones extensive knowledge on controlling resonance, the cabinet feels more robust and solid on the UBR's than the DBR so I would expect even lower resonance.
The DBR's are not speakers to first impress you like B&W and Klipsch, they have a more natural tone with less forward top end that some might say is not very exciting, but it's just a case of partnering them with the right electronics.
I would love to see Erin do a side by side comparison to the KEF R3 Meta with different genres of music if he gets the time, I doubt if they would equal them as the KEF is a more accomplished and expensive loudspeaker, but I certainly don't think they would embarrass themselves especially at low to medium volumes and when used with more expensive electronics. I'm currently using a Node N130 with Chord DAC into a Denon PMA1600ne and the sound Q is exceptional.
Thanks Erin. I've been waiting on this but it came a minute too late. I just dropped off my DBR62s at the post office as I preferred the UBR62s. The DBRs sounded more congested on my equipment and to my ears. Still though, i cant help but feel a bit of a sting as, on paper, the DBR62s kind of looks better than the UBR62s. Well, I'm sure I'll get over it
I think it just depends on your own preference. They’re similar, but not similar enough to be the same for sure. And the differences between them can sway you one way or the other. These will be some interesting speakers to do some blind tests on in a couple different rooms just to see if there is always a strong preference between the two.
@@ErinsAudioCornerare you planning on making a video of that? Cause I'd watch the crap out of it
The DB6.2 tweeter is also in a wave guide. The cabinet and woofer driver are the main differences between the DB6.2 and DBR6.2. And the DBR6.2 tweeter has a distinct sharp lip around it (where the protective screen is installed) and this would seem to be the likely source of the diffraction. The DB6.2 has a much smoother surface around the wave guide.
The 700Hz peak in the DB6.2 is almost certainly from the front baffle - the very narrow web between the tweeter and the woofer *and* the narrow web between the woofer and the port - are both "screaming" out for a rib brace to stiffen them both.
This is probably the main advantage the DBR6.2 has - the slot port is not being a second weak point on the front baffle. And very possibly the web between the tweeter and the woofer *is* braced in the stock cabinet?
Yeah, I remembered that after I edited the video. If I recall correctly, it’s not quite as deep as the DBR62 waveguide but still in a guide nonetheless.
@@ErinsAudioCorner The picture you have in the video of the DBR6.2 with the protective screen removed is the first I have seen - and the sharp lip is a disappointment; in what otherwise seems to be the sweet spot speaker in this group. The best fix for this might be a 3D printed trim ring, that is a flush transition to the front baffle? Or, possibly a spacer/shim installed under the tweeter to bring it out flush?
@@NeilBlanchard yeah, I was surprised by it as well.
@@NeilBlanchard How about a cut out of a felt ring with saw teeth design inner circle?
@@wswsn7396 Yes - this is probably a very good solution - it could even be two or three layers of felt that step the "star" outward, to further ease the transition. I like this solution! And it is easy to do, and is reversible, too.
About the sensitivity: I don't understand why this is important. When I hear pop music with UBR62 in a ca. 40 square meter room at a volume already at party level, the power meter of the AVR indicates only 1.5 Watt more than under mute (42.5 W vs. 41.0 W at mute). So already 1.5 W brings a very loud noise. With this speaker of an allegedly bad efficiency.
I don't understand why people in their own living rooms ever need 10 W, let alone 100 W.
Yooooo When are you going to review some monitor audio?
Wait, when did you review the DBR62? Am I just missing it on your website?
Good comparison however in the future will you give more specific data for example frequency response, speaker sensitivity, impedance, and total harmonic distortion in percentages. Thanks.
Response and sensitivity are in here.
Erin, Can you review Elac debut reference DCR52? thanks,
Erin can u review ELX towers from Ascend acoustics
Elac is so wierd. Andrew jones came in like a hurricane and was gone just as quick. Now what?
Can you pick a favorite Erin?
Isn't the UB52 the best Elac standmount?
Very nice , can you explain compression,
Sure. I have a video on it here:
m.ruclips.net/video/6YY71Wqv2u0/видео.html
Not sure what happened with Debut DB62 but I bought it for $256 pair in 2019. There is no reason for it to be 50% more expensive.
They were $149 several black Friday's ago. IMO that's about what they are worth given the competition in the $350 range now.
Sorry, mis spoke. I have a onkyo tx-rs502
If only they could pair better w lower wattage receivers! Pretty low sensitivity :/
UBR62 vs R3 vs R3 Meta
I plan to do a comparison of the KEFs soon. I may throw in this ELAC at the end just for a quick comparison.
@@ErinsAudioCorner That would be an amazing video. The little underdog elac vs the end game titans.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Then please also include placement and other constraints. I have to place my speaker near the wall. Is KEF R3 still better than the Elac UBR62 in that case? And what if I hear at low volume? KEF still better?
Thought these were designed to have the best sound right up against a wall. Seems like having them 6 foot off a wall is not very realistic.
It's probably semantics but 5000 Hz is not the top end of the frequency range. 😉
Not sure what you’re referencing but I must have misspoke or edited something out unintentionally.
The DB62 use to be BOGO for $300 a pair at Best Buy when it was fairly new in the market. Looking back ,that was a good deal.
Instead of featuring the far more expensive $1200 Unifi Reference, you should have used the entry level Unifi speaker, the UB52, with a 5" woofer, and 4" Unifi mid/tweeter driver, which is the same price as the DBR62, at $699.
I haven’t tested that one. If you want me to test yours let me know and we can arrange shipping.
In the meantime, I chose the ones I have tested.
@@ErinsAudioCorner It's kinda ridiculous to compare a $1200 speaker to a $300 one.
Come on speaker sound defends on the electronics partnering you.cant judge speaker on a single.type.of.amp speaker performance increase when partnering good electronics not robotics bs
I used a Mcintosh MC462 for my listening.
I heard my first Elac and was not impressed. Too European sounding for me. Maybe they were having a bad day.
All reflex boxes are unsuitable for listening to quality music.
Bullshit
Bruh you must be trolling
@@Mishael_Agyei-Boamah This is a fundamental electroacoustic fact.