In late 2015, the first Elac Debut B6 came out of nowhere. Even though designer Andrew Jones had just left Pioneer, he came up with a fully formed speaker design that became our favourite bookshelf speaker for the money right away. Over the next three years, he made the equally impressive Uni-Fis, Adantes, and then an unexpected update to the speaker that started it all.
The B6.2 has a fun, retro look that reminds me of Bowers and Wilkins or Wharfedale designs from the past. When put next to the original Debut B6, it looks like a completely different speaker. The B6 was short and wide, but the update is taller and thinner, and it has a front bass port that stands out.
Features:
- Excellent sound for the price.
- Solid build quality and attractive finish.
- Front bass port allows close placement to walls.
The B6.2 has a 6.5-inch woofer made of aramid fibre, which is similar to Kevlar, and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, just like the original, but the way they work is different. For example, the tweeter on the 2015 model was set back, which made the speaker more directional. This time, the mesh-covered tweeter is almost flush with the front panel. Also, the dust cap has been extruded, which is supposed to make the driver more responsive.
With a width of 7.69 inches, a height of 14.76 inches, and a depth of 10.55 inches, the size is typical for a pair of stand-mount speakers. The original Debut was resonant; tapping a knuckle on the side made it ring. On the B6.2, extra bracing has been added to reduce any possible coloration of the sound. When you knock on it, it makes a soft metallic sound.
Elac says that the B6.2 should be used with any receiver that can handle up to 120 watts per channel. The speaker can fill small to medium-sized rooms with its 87dB sensitivity and 44Hz-35kHz frequency response. You can even put them close to the wall because they have a port on the front, though we still recommend leaving an inch or so of space to avoid boomy bass.
Compared to the award-winning B5.2s, the bigger cabinets and large reflex port give the bass response a good deal more weight, but these Elacs still don’t go too far. Songs that go to the low end of the frequency range will show the B6.2s’ limits in this area, but these speakers don’t seem embarrassed to have them.
How to get ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2?
This is a frequency range that is open and well-balanced. It can reach high into the treble and give a lot of bass without pushing more than is comfortable. If you want more low-end, you’ll need a bigger cabinet. These Elacs won’t try to fool you into thinking they’re bigger than they are, which would make them less clear.
