In this review, we will be comparing Studio 89 and Debut 3.0 DB63, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Studio 89 and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Studio 89 | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | MPD III (folded ribbon) | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.25" RDT III | 6.5" Aramid fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-60k Hz | 42 to 38K Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-300 watts | 20 - 140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.60kg / 16.7lbs | 7.86kg / 17.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-3/8" x 6-3/16" x 14-3/16"
340.0 x 157.0 x 361.0mm | 13-3/8" x 7-3/4" x 12-1/4"
340.0 x 197.0 x 312.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Studio 89 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* |
Monitor Audio Studio 89 |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 Studio 89 and Debut 3.0 DB63 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Studio 89ELAC 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 |
Monitor Audio Studio 89 |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Studio 89 features a " MPD III (folded ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 4.25" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz. 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
Studio 89 has a frequency range of 48-60k 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 Studio 89'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
Studio 89 and Debut 3.0 DB63 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Studio 89 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Debut 3.0 DB63's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Studio 89, 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.
Studio 89 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Debut 3.0 DB63 has a max power handling value of 140 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Studio 89.
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
Studio 89 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
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Studio 89 and Debut 3.0 DB63 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Monitor Audio Studio 89's and ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Studio 89 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 157.0 x 361.0mm (13-3/8 x 6-3/16 x 14-3/16inch) 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).
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 8% more floor or shelf area. Monitor Audio Studio 89 is 49mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 Monitor Audio Studio 89 is approximately 566.8cm2 / 87.9inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is approximately 614.6cm2 / 95.3inch2. The Studio 89 requires 8% 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 Monitor Audio Studio 89 weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 weighs 7.86kg / 17.3lbs. This makes the Debut 3.0 DB63 3% heavier than the Studio 89.
Here is a comparison of how Studio 89 and Debut 3.0 DB63's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
140 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
38k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
566cm2
vs
614cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.8 ohms
vs
4.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
2500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Studio 89 |
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
50-300 watts |
20 - 140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.2 ohms |
4.8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-60k Hz |
42 to 38K Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
RDT III |
Aramid fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
MPD III (folded ribbon) |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400Hz |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
157.0mm (6.2") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
361.0mm (14.2") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
7.86kg (17.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/High gloss, veneer or satin paint |
MDF/Wood-grain Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
High Gloss Black, High Gloss White |
Black,Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
26-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Monitor Audio Studio 89 costs roughly 5.6x what ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 digs deeper - 42Hz against 48Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 140W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 is cheaper - $449 against $2,500, about 82% less; arguably a different class. |
A Monitor Audio Studio 89 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 48Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Monitor Audio Studio 89 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.