In this review, we will be comparing DCR52 and ES30, 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 ES30 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 | Polk ES30 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber | 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-35k Hz | 55-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 120 watts | 20-125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.14kg / 22.3lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 7-1/2" x 20-1/16" x 10-5/8"
191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 and Polk ES30 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 ES30 |
| 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 ES30 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52Polk ES30
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 ES30 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
DCR52 features a 1" cloth dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" aramid fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the ES30 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
DCR52 has a frequency range of 55-35k Hz whereas ES30 has a frequency range of 55-40k 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
DCR52 and ES30 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DCR52 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the ES30's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk ES30 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.
ES30 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS, whereas DCR52 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 5 watts less than the ES30.
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 5-Way post type posts and ES30 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES30's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
DCR52 has a front firing port whereas ES30 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 ES30 with its rear-firing port.
Polk ES30 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 ES30'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 ES30 has external dimensions of 191.0 x 510.0 x 270.0mm (7-1/2 x 20-1/16 x 10-5/8inch).
ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 is 3mm shorter and 27mm less deeper than Polk ES30 but it is also 19mm wider.
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 ES30 is approximately 1377.0cm2 / 213.4inch2. The DCR52 requires 7% less surface area than the ES30 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 ES30 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the DCR52 17% heavier than the ES30.
Here is a comparison of how DCR52 and ES30'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 ES30?
Here are the items that come with the ES30:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
188mm
vs
191mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1285cm2
vs
1377cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
125 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 |
5.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
460USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC Debut Reference DCR52 |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 120 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-35k Hz |
55-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
aramid fiber |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
188.0mm (7.4") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Width |
529.0mm (20.8") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
243.0mm (9.6") |
270.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
10.14kg (22.3lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
White Baffle / Oak Cabinet or Black Baffle / Walnut Cabinet |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Polk ES30 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 125W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES30 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Polk ES30 is cheaper - $299 against $460, about 35% less. |
A ELAC Debut Ref DCR52 B Polk ES30
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?
Polk ES30 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Polk ES30 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $161 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.