In this review, we will be comparing Debut 2.0 C5.2 and VELA CC 401, two Passive Center Channel speakers by ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 and ELAC VELA CC 401 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 | ELAC VELA CC 401 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | JET 5 folded ribbon |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" aramid-fiber | 2 x 6" aluminum/paper sandwich |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-35k Hz | 30-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 120 watts | 40-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.41kg / 18.5lbs | 19.14kg / 42.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/8" x 21-5/16" x 9-3/8"
181.0 x 542.0 x 239.0mm | 7-9/16" x 25-9/16" x 9-7/16"
193.0 x 650.0 x 240.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 and ELAC VELA CC 401 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 C5.2 |
ELAC VELA CC 401 |
| 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 C5.2 and VELA CC 401 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2ELAC VELA CC 401
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 C5.2 |
ELAC VELA CC 401 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
Debut 2.0 C5.2 features a 1" silk Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aramid-fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the VELA CC 401 features a " JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter and 2 x 6" aluminum/paper sandwich Woofer.
Frequency Response
Debut 2.0 C5.2 has a frequency range of 55-35k Hz whereas VELA CC 401 has a frequency range of 30-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the VELA CC 401 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Debut 2.0 C5.2's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 C5.2 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the VELA CC 401 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the VELA CC 401 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Debut 2.0 C5.2 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the VELA CC 401's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC VELA CC 401 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 C5.2 is rated up to 120 watts and VELA CC 401 40-120 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 C5.2 features Binding post type posts and VELA CC 401 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Debut 2.0 C5.2 has a front firing port whereas VELA CC 401 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to ELAC VELA CC 401 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 ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2's and ELAC VELA CC 401's external dimensions. ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 has external dimensions of 181.0 x 542.0 x 239.0mm (7-1/8 x 21-5/16 x 9-3/8inch) whereas ELAC VELA CC 401 has external dimensions of 193.0 x 650.0 x 240.0mm (7-9/16 x 25-9/16 x 9-7/16inch).
ELAC VELA CC 401 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 108mm wider, 12mm taller and 1mm deeper than ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2.
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 C5.2 is approximately 1295.4cm2 / 200.8inch2 and base area of the ELAC VELA CC 401 is approximately 1560.0cm2 / 241.8inch2. The Debut 2.0 C5.2 requires 17% less surface area than the VELA CC 401 which gives it a small advantage 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 ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 weighs 8.41kg / 18.5lbs and the ELAC VELA CC 401 weighs 19.14kg / 42.1lbs. This makes the VELA CC 401 128% heavier than the Debut 2.0 C5.2.
Here is a comparison of how Debut 2.0 C5.2 and VELA CC 401's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Debut 2.0 C5.2:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of ELAC VELA CC 401?
Here are the items that come with the VELA CC 401:
- 1 Center channel speaker
- 2 Jumper straps (pre-installed)
- Operating And Safety Instructions
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
181mm
vs
193mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1295cm2
vs
1560cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
270USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 |
ELAC VELA CC 401 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 120 watts |
40-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-35k Hz |
30-50k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
aramid-fiber |
aluminum/paper sandwich |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
JET 5 folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
181.0mm (7.1") |
193.0mm (7.6") |
| Width |
542.0mm (21.3") |
650.0mm (25.6") |
| Depth |
239.0mm (9.4") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Weight |
8.41kg (18.5lbs) |
19.14kg (42.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
These sit in different price classes - ELAC VELA CC 401 costs roughly 8.5x what ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC VELA CC 401 digs deeper - 30Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 is easier to place; ELAC VELA CC 401 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 is cheaper - $270 against $2,300, about 88% less; arguably a different class. |
A ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 B ELAC VELA CC 401
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 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 much easier to justify. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, ELAC Debut 2.0 C5.2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.