In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Fyne Audio FA301iC is a In-wall speaker whereas the Debut 3.0 DB53 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio FA301iC and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio FA301iC | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" | 5.25" Aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 44-28k Hz | 42 to 38K Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 86.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25 - 100 W watts | 20 - 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.00kg / 4.4lbs | 6.06kg / 13.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-13/16" x 8-13/16" x 3-3/4"
224.0 x 224.0 x 95.0mm | 12-1/4" x 6-13/16" x 10-1/2"
312.0 x 174.0 x 267.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio FA301iC and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 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 FA301iC |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 |
| 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 FA301iC and Debut 3.0 DB53 are 2-way speakers.
Fyne Audio FA301iCELAC Debut 3.0 DB53
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 FA301iC |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x 6-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
FA301iC features a " Tweeter and x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200 Hz. On the other hand, the Debut 3.0 DB53 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aramid fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900Hz.
Frequency Response
FA301iC has a frequency range of 44-28k Hz whereas Debut 3.0 DB53 has a frequency range of 42 to 38K Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Debut 3.0 DB53 can go slightly deeper then the FA301iC's min frequency of 44Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall 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
FA301iC is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Debut 3.0 DB53 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. FA301iC sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Debut 3.0 DB53's is rated at 86.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio FA301iC a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
In-wall 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 DB53 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas FA301iC has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Debut 3.0 DB53.
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
FA301iC features 5-Way post type posts and Debut 3.0 DB53 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53'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 FA301iC's and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53's external dimensions. Fyne Audio FA301iC has external dimensions of 224.0 x 224.0 x 95.0mm () whereas ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 174.0 x 267.0mm (12-1/4-inch x 6-13/16-inch x 10-1/2-inch).
Fyne Audio FA301iC is 88mm shorter and 172mm less deeper than ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 but it is also 50mm wider.
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 DB53 needs about 118% more floor or shelf area. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 is 172mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB53 is 88mm taller.