In this review, we will be comparing F5E and Debut 3.0 DB63, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fyne Audio and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F5E and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F5E | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" | 6.5" Aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-38k Hz | 42 to 38K Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 90 W watts | 20 - 140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.90kg / 8.6lbs | 7.86kg / 17.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10.6" x 6.9" x 9"
269.2 x 175.3 x 228.6mm | 13-3/8" x 7-3/4" x 12-1/4"
340.0 x 197.0 x 312.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F5E 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* |
Fyne Audio F5E |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
| 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 F5E and Debut 3.0 DB63 are 2-way speakers.
Fyne Audio F5EELAC 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 |
Fyne Audio F5E |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x 5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
F5E features a " Tweeter and x 5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800 Hz. 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
F5E has a frequency range of 55-38k 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 F5E'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 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
F5E is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Debut 3.0 DB63 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 87 dBdB.
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 F5E has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS, 50 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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
F5E features 5-Way post type posts and Debut 3.0 DB63 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63's 5-Way post terminals
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 Fyne Audio F5E's and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F5E has external dimensions of 269.2 x 175.3 x 228.6mm (10.6 x 6.9 x 9inch) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 21.7mm wider, 70.8mm taller and 83.4mm deeper than Fyne Audio F5E.
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.
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 needs about 53% more floor or shelf area. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is 83mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is 71mm 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 Fyne Audio F5E is approximately 400.7cm2 / 62.1inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is approximately 614.6cm2 / 95.3inch2. The F5E requires 35% less surface area than the Debut 3.0 DB63 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 Fyne Audio F5E weighs 3.90kg / 8.6lbs and the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 weighs 7.86kg / 17.3lbs. This makes the Debut 3.0 DB63 102% heavier than the F5E.
Here is a comparison of how F5E and Debut 3.0 DB63's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
269mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
400cm2
vs
614cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
140 watts
vs
90 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio F5E |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30 - 90 W watts |
20 - 140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-38k Hz |
42 to 38K Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aramid fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800 Hz |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
269.2mm (10.6") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
175.3mm (6.9") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
228.6mm (9") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Weight |
3.90kg (8.6lbs) |
7.86kg (17.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black,Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
26-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
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 3.0 DB63 digs deeper - 42Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Fyne Audio F5E is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 takes more power (140W vs 90W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Fyne Audio F5E is easier to place; ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is cheaper - $449 against $699, about 36% less. |
A Fyne Audio F5E B ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
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 3.0 DB63 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 a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio F5E the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.