In this review, we will be comparing Emit 20 and DBR62, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Dynaudio and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dynaudio Emit 20 and ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Dynaudio Emit 20 | ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 |
|---|
| Brand | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 7" MSP | 6.5" Aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 53-25k Hz | 44-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.30kg / 22.7lbs | 8.23kg / 18.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-9/16" x 8-1/16" x 12-5/16"
370.0 x 205.0 x 312.0mm | 14-1/4" x 8-1/4" x 10-7/8"
362.0 x 210.0 x 277.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Dynaudio Emit 20 and ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Dynaudio Emit 20 |
ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Emit 20 and DBR62 are 2-way speakers.
Dynaudio Emit 20ELAC Debut Ref DBR62
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Dynaudio Emit 20 |
ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Emit 20 features a 1.1" Cerotar Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 7" MSP Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3800 Hz. On the other hand, the DBR62 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aramid fiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
Emit 20 has a frequency range of 53-25k Hz whereas DBR62 has a frequency range of 44-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the DBR62 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Emit 20's min frequency of 53Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Emit 20 and DBR62 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Emit 20 features 5-way post type posts and DBR62 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut Ref DBR62's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Emit 20 has a rear firing port whereas DBR62 has a front firing ports. ELAC Debut Ref DBR62's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Dynaudio Emit 20 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Dynaudio Emit 20's and ELAC Debut Ref DBR62's external dimensions. Dynaudio Emit 20 has external dimensions of 370.0 x 205.0 x 312.0mm (14-9/16 x 8-1/16 x 12-5/16inch) whereas ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 has external dimensions of 362.0 x 210.0 x 277.0mm (14-1/4 x 8-1/4 x 10-7/8inch).
ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 is 8mm shorter and 35mm less deeper than Dynaudio Emit 20 but it is also 5mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Dynaudio Emit 20 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Dynaudio Emit 20 is 35mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Dynaudio Emit 20 is approximately 639.6cm2 / 99.1inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 is approximately 581.7cm2 / 90.2inch2. The Emit 20 requires 10% more surface area than the DBR62 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Dynaudio Emit 20 weighs 10.30kg / 22.7lbs and the ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 weighs 8.23kg / 18.1lbs. This makes the Emit 20 25% heavier than the DBR62.
Here is a comparison of how Emit 20 and DBR62's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut Ref DBR62?
Here are the items that come with the DBR62:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions
 Max Input Power |
160 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
53 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
362mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
581cm2
vs
639cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
700USD
vs
1049USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Dynaudio Emit 20 |
ELAC Debut Reference DBR62 |
| Brand |
Dynaudio |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
53-25k Hz |
44-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
MSP |
Aramid fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3800 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Width |
205.0mm (8.1") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
312.0mm (12.3") |
277.0mm (10.9") |
| Weight |
10.30kg (22.7lbs) |
8.23kg (18.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
White Baffle / Oak Cabinet, Black Baffle / Walnut Cabinet |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 digs deeper - 44Hz against 53Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | A | Dynaudio Emit 20 takes more power (160W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Dynaudio Emit 20 sits in a wider range (6 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 is cheaper - $700 against $1,049, about 33% less. |
A Dynaudio Emit 20 B ELAC Debut Ref DBR62
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 53Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Dynaudio Emit 20 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and ELAC Debut Ref DBR62 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.