In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by ELAC. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the IC-DT61-W is a In-wall speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 and ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber | 6.5" Woven aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-35k Hz | 45-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 120 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.90kg / 13lbs | — |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.4" x 7.0" x 9.2"
341.0 x 180.0 x 234.0mm | 10.43" x 10.43" x 6.81"
265 x 265 x 173 mm |
|---|
Debut 2.0 B5.2 and IC-DT61-W are members of ELAC's Debut 2.0 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
ELAC Debut 2.0 Series
History
What size room are the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 and ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W 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* |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 Debut 2.0 B5.2 and IC-DT61-W are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 |
ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Debut 2.0 B5.2 features a 1" Cloth Soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the IC-DT61-W features a 1" Cloth Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven aramid fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Debut 2.0 B5.2 has a frequency range of 46-35k Hz whereas IC-DT61-W has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the IC-DT61-W can go slightly deeper then the Debut 2.0 B5.2's min frequency of 46Hz.
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
Debut 2.0 B5.2 and IC-DT61-W have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Debut 2.0 B5.2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the IC-DT61-W's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 120 watts RMS, though Debut 2.0 B5.2 is rated 120 watts and IC-DT61-W 30-120 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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
Debut 2.0 B5.2 features Spring clamp type posts and IC-DT61-W has a Spring clamp type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2's 5-Way Metal post terminals
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 ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2's and ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W's external dimensions. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 has external dimensions of 341.0 x 180.0 x 234.0mm (13.4 x 7.0 x 9.2inch) whereas ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W has external dimensions of 265 x 265 x 173 mm ().
ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W is 76mm shorter and 61mm less deeper than ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 but it is also 85mm 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.
ELAC Debut IC-DT61-W needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is 61mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is 76mm taller.
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Debut 2.0 B5.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions