In this review, we will be comparing DCR52 and R400, two Passive Center Channel speakers from ELAC and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 and Polk R400 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 | Polk R400 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber | 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-35k Hz | 48-39K Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 120 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.14kg / 22.3lbs | 14.91kg / 32.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-3/8" x 20-13/16" x 9-9/16"
188.0 x 529.0 x 243.0mm | 7-13/16" x 24-5/16" x 14-5/8"
199.0 x 618.0 x 372.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 and Polk R400 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 DCR52 |
Polk R400 |
| 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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both DCR52 and R400 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52Polk R400
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 DCR52 |
Polk R400 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
DCR52 features a 1" cloth dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the R400 features a 1" Pinnacle Ring Radiator Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Polypropylene Turbine Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
DCR52 has a frequency range of 55-35k Hz whereas R400 has a frequency range of 48-39K Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the R400 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DCR52'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
DCR52 and R400 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DCR52 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the R400's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk R400 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.
R400 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas DCR52 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the R400.
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
DCR52 features Binding post type posts and R400 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52's 5-Way post terminals
Polk R400's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
DCR52 has a front firing port whereas R400 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Debut Ref DCR52's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk R400 with its rear-firing port.
Polk R400 dual 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 DCR52's and Polk R400's external dimensions. 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) whereas Polk R400 has external dimensions of 199.0 x 618.0 x 372.0mm (7-13/16 x 24-5/16 x 14-5/8inch).
Polk R400 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 89mm wider, 11mm taller and 129mm deeper than ELAC Debut Ref DCR52.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 and Polk R400 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 and Polk R400 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 Ref DCR52 is approximately 1285.5cm2 / 199.3inch2 and base area of the Polk R400 is approximately 2299.0cm2 / 356.3inch2. The DCR52 requires 44% less surface area than the R400 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 Ref DCR52 weighs 10.14kg / 22.3lbs and the Polk R400 weighs 14.91kg / 32.8lbs. This makes the R400 47% heavier than the DCR52.
Here is a comparison of how DCR52 and R400'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 Ref DCR52?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of DCR52:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of Polk R400?
Here are the items that come with the R400:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
188mm
vs
199mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1285cm2
vs
2299cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
460USD
vs
649USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
39k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
ELAC Debut Reference DCR52 |
Polk Audio Reserve R400 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 120 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-35k Hz |
48-39K Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
aramid fiber |
Polypropylene Turbine Cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
Pinnacle Ring Radiator |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
188.0mm (7.4") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Width |
529.0mm (20.8") |
618.0mm (24.3") |
| Depth |
243.0mm (9.6") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
10.14kg (22.3lbs) |
14.91kg (32.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
White Baffle / Oak Cabinet or Black Baffle / Walnut Cabinet |
Black, Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Polk R400 digs deeper - 48Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Polk R400 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Polk R400 takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is easier to place; Polk R400 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk R400 sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is cheaper - $460 against $649, about 29% less. |
A ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 B Polk R400
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: Polk R400 measures better, ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 costs about about 41% 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 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Polk R400 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.