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Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
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Emotiva Airmotiv B1+

Passive Bookshelf | 48 Hz – 28 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+
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ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2

Passive Bookshelf | 44-35k Hz

ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
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Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Speaker Comparison

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.

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 48 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 70watts
  • Weight:4.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 274.0" x 7-1/8" x 8-1/4"( 274.0 x 181.0 x 210.0mm )

ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer
  • 44-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range:up to 120watts
  • Weight:7.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 375.0" x 7-3/4" x 11-5/16"( 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ and ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



Drivers

Both Airmotiv B1+ and Debut 2.0 B6.2 are 2-way speakers. 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 48Hz, the Airmotiv B1+ can go slightly deeper then the Debut 2.0 B6.2's min frequency of 44Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Airmotiv B1+
Debut 2.0 B6.2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. 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

Airmotiv B1+
Debut 2.0 B6.2
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Airmotiv B1+ can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv B1+ has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Debut 2.0 B6.2.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

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
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ Port

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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.

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Size Comparison - Front View
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 an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Size Comparison on a Media Console
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
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
Min
Average
Max

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

  • Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ over ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    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 (181x210mm) vs 522cm2 (195x268mm) Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 299USD vs 400USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    Reasons to choose ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 over Emotiva Airmotiv B1+
    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


    Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    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

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