In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv B1+ and Debut 2.0 B6.2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Emotiva and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ | ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 |
|---|
| Brand | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" woven fiber cone | 6.5" Woven Aramid-Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48 Hz – 28 kHz | 44-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 70 watts | up to 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.00kg / 8.8lbs | 7.40kg / 16.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10-3/4" x 7-1/8" x 8-1/4"
274.0 x 181.0 x 210.0mm | 14.8" x 7-3/4" x 10-9/16"
375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 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* |
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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 Airmotiv B1+ and Debut 2.0 B6.2 are 2-way speakers.
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Airmotiv B1+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Debut 2.0 B6.2 features a 1" Cloth Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv B1+ has a frequency range of 48 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Debut 2.0 B6.2 has a frequency range of 44-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the Debut 2.0 B6.2 can go slightly deeper then the Airmotiv B1+'s min frequency of 48Hz.
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
Airmotiv B1+ is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Debut 2.0 B6.2 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv B1+ sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Debut 2.0 B6.2's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv B1+, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 2.0 B6.2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Airmotiv B1+ has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Debut 2.0 B6.2.
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
Airmotiv B1+ has a rear firing port whereas Debut 2.0 B6.2 has a front firing ports. ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ with its rear-firing port.
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ 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 Emotiva Airmotiv B1+'s and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ has external dimensions of 274.0 x 181.0 x 210.0mm (10-3/4 x 7-1/8 x 8-1/4inch) whereas ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 has external dimensions of 375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0mm (14.7 x 7.6 x 10.5inch).
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 14mm wider, 101mm taller and 58mm deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv B1+.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 in scale.
Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 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 Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ is approximately 380.1cm2 / 58.9inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is approximately 522.6cm2 / 81.0inch2. The Airmotiv B1+ requires 27% less surface area than the Debut 2.0 B6.2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 on a Media Console
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 Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs and the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 weighs 7.40kg / 16.3lbs. This makes the Debut 2.0 B6.2 85% heavier than the Airmotiv B1+.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv B1+ and Debut 2.0 B6.2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2?
Here are the items that come with the Debut 2.0 B6.2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
274mm
vs
375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
380cm2
vs
522cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
70 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ |
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 70 watts |
up to 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48 Hz – 28 kHz |
44-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
Woven Aramid-Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
SBR |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
274.0mm (10.8") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
181.0mm (7.1") |
195.0mm (7.7") |
| Depth |
210.0mm (8.3") |
268.0mm (10.6") |
| Weight |
4.00kg (8.8lbs) |
7.40kg (16.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Ported |
| Finish |
HDF |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 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 | ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 digs deeper - 44Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 takes more power (120W vs 70W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ is easier to place; ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ is cheaper - $299 against $400, about 25% less. |
A Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ B ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
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?
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 34% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 appeals to you. Match it to your room: we rate Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ 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.