In this review, we will be comparing Debut 2.0 B6.2 and A120, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and JBL.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer
- 44-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:up to 120watts
- Weight:7.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 375.0" x 7-3/4" x 11-5/16"( 375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0mm )
JBL A120 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer
- 60-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-125watts
- Weight:3.82kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 286.0" x 6-3/4" x 7-7/16"( 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm )
What size room are the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 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 B6.2 |
JBL A120 |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Debut 2.0 B6.2 and A120 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 |
JBL A120 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Debut 2.0 B6.2 features a 1" Cloth Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer .
Frequency Response
Debut 2.0 B6.2 has a frequency range of 44-35k Hz whereas A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the Debut 2.0 B6.2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120's min frequency of 60Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Debut 2.0 B6.2 and A120 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Debut 2.0 B6.2 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the A120's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL A120, 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. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Debut 2.0 B6.2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Debut 2.0 B6.2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 5 watts less than the A120.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Debut 2.0 B6.2 features 5-way post type posts and A120 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2's 5-Way post terminals
JBL A120's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Debut 2.0 B6.2 has a front firing port whereas A120 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL A120 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 B6.2's and JBL A120's external dimensions. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 has external dimensions of 375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0mm ( 14.7 x 7.6 x 10.5inch) whereas JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm ( 11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch) .
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 89mm taller and 79mm deeper than JBL A120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 Size and External Dimensions
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 ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is approximately 522.6cm2 / 81.0inch2 and base area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2. The Debut 2.0 B6.2 requires 61% more surface area than the A120 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 and JBL A120 on a Media Console