In this review, we will be comparing DBR63 and Debut 3.0 DB63, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Aramid fiber | 6.5" Aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 49-34k Hz | 42 to 38K Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86.5 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-140 watts | 20 - 140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | — | 7.86kg / 17.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-1/8" x 8-3/4" x 10-13/16"
359.0 x 222.0 x 275.0mm | 13-3/8" x 7-3/4" x 12-1/4"
340.0 x 197.0 x 312.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 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 Ref 3.0 DBR63 |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
| 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 DBR63 and Debut 3.0 DB63 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
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 Ref 3.0 DBR63 |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
DBR63 features a 1" Aluminium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aramid fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Debut 3.0 DB63 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aramid fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
DBR63 has a frequency range of 49-34k Hz whereas Debut 3.0 DB63 has a frequency range of 42 to 38K Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Debut 3.0 DB63 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DBR63's min frequency of 49Hz.
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
DBR63 and Debut 3.0 DB63 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DBR63 sensitivity is rated at 86.5 dB and the Debut 3.0 DB63's is at 87 dB.
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.
Debut 3.0 DB63 can handle a max power of 140 watts RMS, whereas DBR63 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 60 watts less than the Debut 3.0 DB63.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
DBR63 has a front firing port whereas Debut 3.0 DB63 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 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 Ref 3.0 DBR63's and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63's external dimensions. ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 has external dimensions of 359.0 x 222.0 x 275.0mm (14-1/8 x 8-3/4 x 10-13/16inch) whereas ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 197.0 x 312.0mm (13-3/8-inch x 7-3/4-inch x 12-1/4-inch).
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is 25mm narrower and 19mm shorter than ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 but it is also 37mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is 37mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC Debut Ref 3.0 DBR63 is 19mm taller.
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 Ref 3.0 DBR63 is approximately 610.5cm2 / 94.6inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is approximately 614.6cm2 / 95.3inch2. The DBR63 requires 1% less surface area than the Debut 3.0 DB63 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.