In this review, we will be comparing Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52, two Passive Center Channel speakers by ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 and ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" aramid-fiber | 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-35k Hz | 55-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 120 watts | up to 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.55kg / 25.4lbs | 10.14kg / 22.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-5/8" x 23-3/8" x 11-5/16" 194.0 x 594.0 x 288.0mm | 7-3/8" x 20-13/16" x 9-9/16" 188.0 x 529.0 x 243.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 and ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 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 C6.2 |
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 |
| 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2ELAC Debut Ref DCR52
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 C6.2 |
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Debut 2.0 C6.2 features a 1" silk Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" aramid-fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the DCR52 features a 1" cloth dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52 has exactly the same frequency range of 55-35k Hz.
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 C6.2 and DCR52 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Debut 2.0 C6.2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the DCR52's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut Ref DCR52, 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.
Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52 have the same power range of up to 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 C6.2 features 5-Way post type posts and DCR52 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2's 5-Way post terminals
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52 have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 C6.2's and ELAC Debut Ref DCR52's external dimensions. ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 has external dimensions of 194.0 x 594.0 x 288.0mm (7-5/8 x 23-3/8 x 11-5/16inch) whereas ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 has external dimensions of 188.0 x 529.0 x 243.0mm (7-3/8 x 20-13/16 x 9-9/16inch).
ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 65mm wider, 6mm taller and 45mm deeper than ELAC Debut Ref DCR52.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 and ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 and ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 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 C6.2 is approximately 1710.7cm2 / 265.2inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is approximately 1285.5cm2 / 199.3inch2. The Debut 2.0 C6.2 requires 33% more surface area than the DCR52 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 ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 weighs 11.55kg / 25.4lbs and the ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 weighs 10.14kg / 22.3lbs. This makes the Debut 2.0 C6.2 14% heavier than the DCR52.
Here is a comparison of how Debut 2.0 C6.2 and DCR52'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 C6.2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Debut 2.0 C6.2:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut Ref DCR52?
Here are the items that come with the DCR52:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating Instructions
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Price per pair* |
380USD
vs
460USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Height |
188mm
vs
194mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1285cm2
vs
1710cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 |
ELAC Debut Reference DCR52 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 120 watts |
up to 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-35k Hz |
55-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aramid-fiber |
aramid fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
194.0mm (7.6") |
188.0mm (7.4") |
| Width |
594.0mm (23.4") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Depth |
288.0mm (11.3") |
243.0mm (9.6") |
| Weight |
11.55kg (25.4lbs) |
10.14kg (22.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
White Baffle / Oak Cabinet or Black Baffle / Walnut Cabinet |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Both are ELAC, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is easier to place; ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 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 C6.2 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 is cheaper - $380 against $460, about 17% less. |
A ELAC Debut 2.0 C6.2 B ELAC Debut Ref DCR52
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.
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.