In this review, we will be comparing Concord and Debut 2.0 F5.2, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Concord and ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Concord | ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 |
|---|
| Brand | KLH
United States · founded 1957 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" dome with wide-dispersion waveguide |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Kevlar | 2 x 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-23k Hz | 42-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 225 watts | up to 140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 20.45kg / 45lbs | 15.64kg / 34.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-3/8" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm | 41-1/16" x 7-7/16" x 10-1/4"
1043.0 x 189.0 x 261.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Concord is a 2-way design whereas the Debut 2.0 F5.2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
KLH ConcordELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KLH Concord |
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Concord features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the Debut 2.0 F5.2 features a 1" silk dome with wide-dispersion waveguide Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Woven Aramid-Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 90Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Concord has a frequency range of 28-23k Hz whereas Debut 2.0 F5.2 has a frequency range of 42-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Concord can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Debut 2.0 F5.2's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Concord is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Debut 2.0 F5.2 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Concord sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Debut 2.0 F5.2's is rated at 86 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the KLH Concord a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Concord can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS, whereas Debut 2.0 F5.2 has a max power handling value of 140 watts RMS, 85 watts less than the Concord.
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
Concord features 5-Way post type posts and Debut 2.0 F5.2 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Concord's 5-Way post terminals
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2'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 KLH Concord's and ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2's external dimensions. KLH Concord has external dimensions of 1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/8 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) whereas ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 has external dimensions of 1043.0 x 189.0 x 261.0mm (41-1/16 x 7-7/16 x 10-1/4inch).
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is 23mm narrower and 119mm less deeper than KLH Concord but it is also 17mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Concord and ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Concord and ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 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 KLH Concord is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is approximately 493.3cm2 / 76.5inch2. The Concord requires 63% more surface area than the Debut 2.0 F5.2 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 KLH Concord weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 weighs 15.64kg / 34.4lbs. This makes the Concord 31% heavier than the Debut 2.0 F5.2.
Here is a comparison of how Concord and Debut 2.0 F5.2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Concord?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Concord:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet (w/ locking nut attached)
- 4 Protective discs
- 4 Rubber feet
- Port plug
- Manual
- ATTENTION! note
What's in the Box of ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2?
Here are the items that come with the Debut 2.0 F5.2:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Spikes (hex-nuts attached)
- Operating Instructions
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
140 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
42 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1026mm
vs
1043mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Dolby Atmos Drivers |
Optional
vs
No
|
Dolby Atmos Compatibility |
 Base Surface Area |
493cm2
vs
805cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
1000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KLH Concord |
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 |
| Brand |
KLH |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 225 watts |
up to 140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-23k Hz |
42-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Woven Aramid-Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
dome with wide-dispersion waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
90Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1026.0mm (40.4") |
1043.0mm (41.1") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
380.0mm (15") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
15.64kg (34.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
3 Years |
A generation apart: KLH Concord is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KLH Concord digs deeper - 28Hz against 42Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | KLH Concord is more sensitive (94dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | KLH Concord is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | A | KLH Concord takes more power (225W vs 140W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is easier to place; KLH Concord is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2: Atmos drivers. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is cheaper - $800 against $1,000, about 20% less. |
A KLH Concord B ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2
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?
KLH Concord leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 42Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, KLH Concord has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 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.