In this review, we will be comparing Debut 3.0 DF63 and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from ELAC and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 6.5" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Aramid fiber | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 31 to 38K Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 180 watts | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 17.64kg / 38.8lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 43-1/16" x 9-5/8" x 12-9/16"
1094.0 x 245.0 x 320.0mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Debut 3.0 DF63 and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63KLH Kendall
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 3.0 DF63 |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.5-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Debut 3.0 DF63 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aramid fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 550Hz and 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
Debut 3.0 DF63 has a frequency range of 31 to 38K Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Debut 3.0 DF63's min frequency of 31Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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 3.0 DF63 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Kendall which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 Debut 3.0 DF63 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Debut 3.0 DF63 sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the Kendall's is rated at 96 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Kendall can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Debut 3.0 DF63 has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS, 70 watts less than the Kendall.
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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Debut 3.0 DF63 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63's 5-Way post terminals
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 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 3.0 DF63's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 has external dimensions of 1094.0 x 245.0 x 320.0mm (43-1/16-inch x 9-5/8-inch x 12-9/16-inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 33mm narrower and 73mm shorter than ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 but it is also 60mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 and KLH Kendall in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 and KLH Kendall 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 3.0 DF63 is approximately 784.0cm2 / 121.5inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The Debut 3.0 DF63 requires 3% less surface area than the Kendall 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 3.0 DF63 weighs 17.64kg / 38.8lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the Kendall 26% heavier than the Debut 3.0 DF63.
Here is a comparison of how Debut 3.0 DF63 and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
784cm2
vs
805cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1094mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
ELAC |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
30 - 180 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.6 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
31 to 38K Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aramid fiber |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
550Hz and 2000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1094.0mm (43.1") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
245.0mm (9.6") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
320.0mm (12.6") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
17.64kg (38.8lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain Vinyl |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black,Walnut |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
10 Years |
A generation apart: ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 31Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | KLH Kendall is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | KLH Kendall takes more power (250W vs 180W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 is cheaper - $1,099 against $1,500, about 27% less. |
A ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 B KLH Kendall
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?
The usual trade-off: KLH Kendall measures better, ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 costs about about 36% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 31Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63 much easier to justify. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall 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.