Speakers · Budget
ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 (pair)
The third generation of Andrew Jones's Debut bookshelf keeps the price of a pair under the cost of one mid-range tower while moving to a new aramid fiber woofer and aluminum dome tweeter. It is the budget alternative to the Polk ES20 for a first stereo pair or a set of surrounds.
- 2-way bookshelf, 6.5" aramid fiber woofer
- 1" aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide
- 87 dB sensitivity, 6 ohm
- 42 Hz to 38 kHz (-6 dB)
ELAC publishes a realistic -3 dB point of 70 Hz alongside the 42 Hz -6 dB figure, which tells you it is designed to be crossed to a subwoofer at 80 Hz rather than to fake bass with a boomy port tuning. The waveguide tweeter and a 1.9 kHz crossover give it smoother off-axis behavior than most speakers at this price, and 87 dB at 6 ohms is an easy load for any receiver in this catalog. Home Theater HiFi and Audio Pursuit both found it a clear step over the Debut 2.0 in clarity and control.
Watch out: Needs a subwoofer for anything but casual listening, and no measurement-based review of the DB63 itself was published when this entry was written.
Pros
- Real 6.5 in woofer at a budget price
- Easy 6 ohm, 87 dB load for any receiver
- Waveguide tweeter with controlled dispersion
Cons
- Limited bass without a sub
- Vinyl finish and visible rear ports
- Independent measurements cover siblings, not this model
Specifications
| Type | 2-way ported bookshelf (sold per pair) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 6.5 in aramid fiber woofer, 1 in aluminum dome tweeter in waveguide |
| Sensitivity | 87 dB (manufacturer) |
| Impedance | 6 ohm nominal |
| Frequency response | 42 Hz to 38 kHz (-6 dB); 70 Hz (-3 dB) |
| Recommended power | 20 to 140 W |
| Finish | Black ash vinyl |
Specs come from manufacturer documentation and published reviews; check the retailer listing for the current revision.