Best under $1500? Elac Debut Reference DFR52 Review! Audiophile Loudspeaker!

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Best Audiophile Loudspeaker Under $1500? Elac Debut Reference Review!
What inside the DFR52? • Whats INSIDE!? Elac De...
Soundclips with Commentary: • Sound Clips with Comme...
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[@spacejaime]

Not to make this an ELAC heavy channel - but the Debut 2.0 F6.2 need a review here. On my short list of speakers along with the Paradigm Monitor SE 6000F. No nearby dealers to compare!

[@charlesking678]

Which did you end up with?

[@spacejaime]

@@charlesking678 - None yet.

[@ufarkingicehole]

Awesome Review!! Ron... my man.. so I have an idea. Is there anyway you could do a list that could be really helpful. If you had $1k, $2k, $3k, or $5k, what would be the setup you would use for each price point. You have heard a million variations so if you had just x amount of dollars, off hand, what would you put together at each price point. I realize it's so subjective but this is really your own preference. Also I would love to see some older gear on here. Like older HK citations and what would be a modern equivalent. It would be interesting at the very least. Either way thanks for the awesome reviews!

[@m.r.3128]

Mr flimflam fremdippity danyet hey, I’ve done a lot of research on your exact question - answer I came up with, is build your own open baffle speakers 🔊 spend your cash on quality independent components + you’ll possibly get more enjoyment from the project 👍🏼

[@ufarkingicehole]

@@m.r.3128 I'm debating.. buy the GR extreme or Maggie 1.7i with intent of later buying open baffle subs. I LOVE the Maggie's but I want to hear the GRs

[@paulomontero12]

This guy is probably one of the most honest and competent reviewer out there.

[@AdrianIII]

So did we answer the question, "Best under $1500?" Not clear. Wouldn't it have been soooo easy to correct that shallow bowl in the upper midrange response curve with a Schiit Loki? Did you try that? If yes, how did it change your perception of the overall sound? More detailed comparisons to other speakers you have reviewed, including some in higher price ranges, would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps you would consider doing a "Compared to What" segment at the end of each review. It would help put speakers into perspective for those of us who can't audition before purchase. (Example... compare to X-LS Encore.) Just a thought. Thanks for all your good work!

[@JHuffPhoto]

Although it would be nice to get a speaker at that price point to do everything this one does well and also hit down to 30HZ on the bass, unfortunately if it were designed to hit that low you would not get all of the texture and speed you get from it as it is designed. I mean........physics does matter and as you said there are always trade offs. I would rather have the option of adding a quality sub to fill in the below 50HZ region than to have "whale farts." 🐳🐋😁

[@Newrecordday2013]

Solid point!

[@thecman26]

No cable snob here, I use ONLY Monster cable! Rocking it and saving my money 💰!

[@tomdewitt3048]

s Monster Cable still in the cable business? I've got miles of 20 year old Monster cables in my house still in use, there middle of the road stuff has alwasy been good enough for me ;) since the while Beats Headphone fiasco they seem to have moved away from wire and cabling to portable Bluetooth speakers.

[@infn]

Great review Ron. I think it would've been great if AJ had released the Debut Reference series as the next product update after the UB5s but I guess he had to address the midrange market at the time.

[@Sergtse]

What other amplifier do these speakers play well with? Recommend budget ones.

[@dougefresh133]

Ron, which speakers would you recommend between the Elac Debut DFR52 and Triangle Borea Bro8 in a 50/50 home theater/music setup?

[@savanpanchal451]

Love your reviews. I have both Nad and Svs. Thinking about buying pair of this for my dad to get him into some audiophile gear and pair with Svs!!!

[@MdWahidurRahmanOvi]

Again, another great video. I love this review type of video. Thanks

[@donhensley403]

Great review and thanks for being so detailed. I've never seen a 3 part review on speakers before. Any chance you will review the Martin Logan 60xti's?

[@anthony6657]

I second this 🤞🙌🙏

[@nmnate]

Ron, have you had a chance to listen to the some of the other Elac floorstanders, specifically the Carina or the german-built Vela line?

[@sheelmirji5494]

Which is best AV reciver/ Amplifier suite for this speakers?

[@Pitbull0669]

Id like to see you rank them against other at that price or if they punch way above their weight and price then against otber costing more. Plus how close can they be to a wall for those who cant keep them 3ft off?

[@TheBorsMistral]

I have to ask since you've reviewed both.. How do the DFR52 compare to the UF52? Which would you pick for a 5.1.2, considering the price is pretty much the same?

[@sotimogr]

hi Ron I found them at 650 euros.But as they are a bit difficult to pairing.What do you recomend ?

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

He sounds like Fremers mom, "what do you have behind your back? Records, new records!"

[@freshoutofboat4287]

Skip to 9:00 minutes for actual review

[@snowpuppy77]

Agree for this price a little cabinet resonance is not much of a concern. Seems like a good speaker for a second system that compliments one's reference system. Add a sub or two and play classic rock original pressings and be content. My want to turn on that subsonic filter for LPs. My second system has a pair of Magnepan LRS and a Rythmik F12SE sub and against the conventional wisdom of some this system is excellent for rock. No fatigue but loads of detail, floating keyboards and other goodies. Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Led Z, Yes, modern progressive rock sound so fun. I planned on using the LRS for quiet listening of acoustic chamber music but can't stop listening to rock through them. Pleasant surprise. I actually enjoy rock with the LRS with no sub. Even bigger surprise. But sub is staying.

[@matsudakodo]

Pulling your speakers away from the front walls is solid advice when not using any EQ. But with Audyssey, Dirac, ARC, etc, pushing your speakers back to *within inches from the front wall* AND THEN *equalizing the bass to flat* (feel free to add a house curve), eliminates the modal peaks and cancellations and helps your speakers sound twice as good as you ever thought they could. Why? Because they will be mostly free from SBIR. Note: results will definitely vary when using rear-ported speakers. Front or bottom ported, sealed, or passive radiator speakers will do better.

[@elogeniumyt1338]

Will try that. Thanks.

[@JMNTN]

review starts at 8:58

[@tpn8402]

Thanks Ron! I've been diggin your reviews 👍 A slightly weird comparison but how do these fair against Buchardt S300 and S400?

[@endria7152]

Hello Ron, thank you for your great quality review. Pleasant to watch. Do you know if those ELAC are made in Germany ?

[@TheEchelon]

These are their budget offerings so you can probably guess the answer

[@spacejaime]

Ron, can you get your hands on a pair of Paradign Monitor SE6000F?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Great job thanks Ronnieday 😆 Thats the first time I saw you with the IOTA STACK , I got catching up todo. Its been a ruff last couple of weeks . Sound demos are good man !

[@Newrecordday2013]

Hope all is well amigo

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks Ron , after almost 9 years I Lost my job due to Cov19 and just got a big raise on Jan 1st , The company lost alot of contracts but Got interview as a Maint tech at Toyota factory hopefully all goes well. Its been stressful just been getting lost in the music , What about Bella Feck !! Awesome music , Glad you mentioned them 😆

[@JPWinters]

Very much appreciate the comments on the upper midrange from this & the sound clip video. I bought some Tekton's and found the upper midrange too hard & intense with distorted metal guitars, very similar to your impression. Sounds like these would be a great metal speaker. And of course bass isn't that big of a deal, as any metalhead already has subs.

[@Newrecordday2013]

That’s interesting you mention hard upper midrange on the Tektons, which model do you own?

[@JPWinters]

@@Newrecordday2013 I had the Enzo XL's. Current revision. It was right around 4khz that my ears couldn't handle. They were nice speakers outside of that. I like their general trend of large paper woofers but I just wish it were voiced differently for my preferences.

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

I own the DBR62'S and listen mainly to extreme metal. Can confirm the Elacs will treat your music kindly.

[@spinachhandsjklolsmh9053]

Love the review! Perfect

[@baconbitz4909]

Triangle BRO8s 👍

[@roybrolsbeak]

would these be good for movies aswell ?

[@treyhorn5645]

Great review ! I'm digging the background music.😁. Those finger snaps man ! Jump right and scare me every time... Haha.. Daddy got new cables..😁👍..

[@Koru-Health]

Please review the Magico A5.

[@baschii7603]

Hey mate have you been able to compare Elacs below 1500k with Nubert, Teufel and Quadral?

[@massimilianozeni1848]

Hi Ron. It would be nice to know how they compare to the uni-fi series because they are priced the same at this point, actually the Uni-fi might cost less. I have heard the uni-fi series and I found it very good but even better are the new wharfedale evo 4 which I bought (the small tower 4.3) and I consider the new reference in the price bracket with 3 way, AMT tweeter and dome midrange, with an almost 25kg unbelievably finished cabinet

[@ronaldrice2936]

I got the UB5'S bookshelf with two ten in. woofers, And Un-fi5's would Win.

[@massimilianozeni1848]

Ronald Rice thx, I had the original debut bookshelf before and I liked them except that the voicing was way too “dark” for my taste hence I wanted to give these debut reference tower a listen but they were not available here where I live. I loved the uni-fi slim tower (I think it s called UF5 slim)which I listened to more than many other more expensive tower but at the end I preferred the wharfedale new evo 4 series which also offered tower of smaller size which were perfect for my space. You are not the first who says that the unifi series is better than the debut reference so I don t think it was a great move from ELAC this time as the price is very close. Thanks again

[@spacejaime]

Really excellent review!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Hey Thanks!

[@kirkaparty4143]

Nice Review, you prefer this over the svs pinnacle?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Yes I do

[@SurajKumar-AskMe]

You definitely dint come out 100% convinced in all the aspects of these speakers! Did you? Would have definitely loved a comparison with other speakers at this price point.

[@marcinkurzawinski9601]

and how do you compare those to CABASSE JERSEY MC 170?

[@davidgawthrop980]

Hey Ron how do these compare to the Dali Oberon 7's that you reviewed?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Not even close - these are superior in every possible way.

[@uncola6028]

Better than Magnepan LRS? would like to see LRS compared to the dynamic open baffle speakers you have

[@ufarkingicehole]

As a owner .. Maggie's lack dynamics. They do what they do very well but it's not very dynamic (biggest flaw)

[@dandonna852]

Can you do the best under $3000 but above $1700 that is around my budget

[@holdenafart7372]

what would be better for home theater .... this or the KEF Q series

[@holdenafart7372]

@X-WAYZ I have not had a chance to compare the models, but the kefs have a titanium tweeter while these have a silk or paper one. I would think the kefs are brighter but more accurate. While these be more warm with less detail. I was just asking for opinions

[@m.r.3128]

Oh dear Ron, Greenday is Seattle grunge, just like Nirvana and a large list of others including Soundgarden and Alice in chains (yes, I’m also stuck musically where you are) - I enjoy all your tubes without a doubt man, appreciate it ✌️🇦🇺

[@m.r.3128]

Ring Angus and Malcolm and simply ask them if you can use their tracks - they’re Aussies albeit from Scottish heritage, you’ll be sweet - get your shitt stack to really drive some AC/DC

[@brianhaapanen2750]

??? Greenday is a California founded group. Sure, they came to 'power' during the Grunge/Seattle sound era, but not from Seattle. In fact, I'd argue they were more Punk-revival than anything Grunge related. Stone Temple Pilots would be a better example of Grunge 'non-Seattle' group.

[@Diatonic5th]

Brian Haapanen Exactly! Green Day were Punk revivalists that added killer melodic hooks to the old Punk formula. I was a kid when they first blew up and no one thought they were Grunge. They were a fun Pop Punk band that could rock out.

[@ing.enuity3392]

Hello, do You know Linton's ?

[@deacondrake9078]

Wish they cam out with a 6 inch version. Im betting the bass would have been better.

[@bassproable]

Thanks for that review Ron.. Get ahold of a pair of Emotiva Airmotiv T1+ I would be interested to see your review on these $700 a pair towers. BTW I have a pair of these guys as well.

[@marks291]

You have the Elacs or the Emotiva? I'm looking at both for my next purchase.

[@bassproable]

@@marks291 I have both Airmotiv T1+ and the new 52 Elac reference towers

[@marks291]

@@bassproable Lucky you! Cool, do yo prefer one over the other? I have a small-medium room (about 200sf - 13x15) and want to replace my current Sonus Faber stand mounts for towers. Not using a subwoofer anymore (for now) so having 'enough' bass is fairly important without overwhelming the room. Thanks

[@bassproable]

@@marks291 if I were to choose between the two I would keep the Airmotiv T1+ towers, I really like the ribbon tweeters and the smooth midrange plus a bit more bass extention than the Elacs.

[@marks291]

@@bassproableThanks for the input, I was afraid you'd say that! From an aesthetic only standpoint (WAF) i think i have to rule out the Emotiva, we'll see. I'm sure the Elacs or other mid size towers in this price range will have 'sufficient' bass for my room/placement. Also considering Wharfedale, Jamo, Kef.

[@DaChampagnePapi]

I having such a tough time making a decision. Would you recommend these over the kef ls50. I’m getting both roughly the same price. $800 for ls50 or these for $900. Help me make a decision lol

[@bigjay1970]

I at times can relate. Trying to figure out what avr to buy when I have a fantastic one that works but not the latest edit codacs. 2001. Soo many options!🤪🤪 And the kef ls50 are great speakers but their r3 is much better for a little more $$🤗😇😬

[@bigjay1970]

Zero fidelity has a review of r3 that came out today!😉🤗😇

[@jcisme]

These or the BRO8's ?

[@philipaparker]

more of sound stage with the ELACs

[@alphajuliet7857]

How many 🌟 u give for elac?

[@dredd5352]

I auditioned these and they are very good. They can rock anything straight outta the box. The bass is tight and punchy the vocals and treble are awesome. But they dont reach for anything. My Diamond 11.3s reach for the stars, on both ends. With weight and extension and air. The Elacs are awesome rockers and Movies I bet they kill. The Wharfedales for music and more detail. Very surprised the Elacs have a modern sound, 10 years ago when I was running my Aventage 1020 the Elacs would have been perfect. Today my PM8006 makes the 11.3s sing!

[@mp29k]

“Classic Rock Punk” 😂 F2020, lol

[@NickP333]

Kevin Dufresne Haha! Was just gonna write something to that effect, but you’ve apparently taken care of things.

[@peterbaugh51]

Did you try a tube amp? No sub needed. Just A cheap rockville blutube amp might blow away expensive digital amps. How do I know this. Try it for fun.

[@carlsitler9071]

Is it better than the GR Research X-Statik kit?

[@Newrecordday2013]

I’ve never heard the X-Statiks

[@mwahlert]

Compared to the Uni-Fi 2.0 UF52?

[@kaneda7katsuragi]

Thanks for the in-depth review, listening test, and inside view. I found it weird that elac shows 42-35khz frequency response but without any scale added (like 3db or 10db)... your measurements helped.

[@megasxlr5193]

People listen to radio a lot more than you think.

[@JC-lk3oy]

Really? I don't know anyone who listens to radio outside of their car anymore... maybe at work I guess. Unless you are including satellite radio. Maybe the group you run in is different, but I personally don't know a single person who listens to the radio on their hifi. Not judging, just found your comment very different from what I see.

[@megasxlr5193]

@@JC-lk3oy Yeah realy. People are listening to the radio, but a lot of those people, are playing streams of those radio stations, over the internet(which mostly are not exactly high quality, so i still have a good radio tuner). Does listening in the car doesnt count or something ?Also on mobile phones (try to think why ALL midrange mobile phones still have FM tuner in them) ? I see a lot of people, in public trasportation, using FM radio on their phones. Here even cable providers have radio stations in their offers(those are of decent quality...mostly :-D ) There are also DAB, and DAB+ digital standards for emiting over air, but thats not that much widespread(higher cost, still not mass produced).

[@garygranato9164]

mid-bass 80Hz ???

[@bullpup33]

How would these do in HT?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Fantastic!

[@pandstar]

Wait a minute... From my experience, the same people (for the most part) that don't accept differences in cables, also think all amps (of the same power and distortion) sound alike. So, why the disclaimer about cables, but not one about amps? 😊

[@Newrecordday2013]

Good point, I’m with you. Good news is all amps sound different so nothing to argue here!

[@TexasCorgiGun]

I'm so glad you don't do the acting review that you use to do it, sorry man you are not a good actor , but now the reviews are much more enjoyable improvement thanks

[@Newrecordday2013]

Cool, glad you enjoy.

[@OHMAudioChannel]

Even all the way down to the pioneers, Andrew knows how to voice the top end on his speakers. Sad to see the bass response a bit underwhelming, looks like it the bookshelves and using the extra $ saved over the tower for better subs.

[@ufarkingicehole]

Sounds like they are very balanced with a roll off that would be a little higher than some taste. I would imagine this with a Rel or open baffle sub crossed at the right point (probably around 60-80hz) would give you an amazing speaker. The bookshelves will not be the same sound as the tower and sub vs bookshelf and sub.

[@OHMAudioChannel]

@@ufarkingicehole True, the mid bass will not be the same, but with he lower woofers crossed at 90Hz, I suspect the difference won't be night in day in the overall voicing when comparing the towers to the bookshelves.

[@ufarkingicehole]

@@OHMAudioChannel it would be interesting to see. I've had towers and bookshelf variations of the same speaker and I initially tried exactly what you had mentioned. No matter what I did I could not get the same sound out of the bookshelf. I've heard people who could with other speakers so I dont know honestly. I'm pretty sensitive to anything above around 60-80hz. I suppose a really great sub could be the difference but I would want it to be really seamless. I wonder how much these are in comparison to the bookshelf version?

[@OHMAudioChannel]

Mr flimflam fremdippity danyet the bookshelves regularly run $500 for the pair.

[@skumnjepf]

Better try the original German Kiel speakers not those cheap Andrew Jones American versions.

[@paulomontero12]

Plastic amp?

[@johnharrigan8770]

Interesting...

[@greencraig8570]

I dont have a lot of money, maybe $600 in my savings account, but I will give it to you if you promise not to make any more puns about Schiit. Thank you.

[@Newrecordday2013]

No schiit? Seriously?

[@skumnjepf]

Andrew Jones is not the God of speaker construction.

[@davidcheung6748]

Two subs

[@silviopimentel7247]

🤔

[@donalddeorio2237]

You don't want to get shit from schiit. Lol

[@andrew-xr1de]

Bottom line if you need a sub, it's not going to happen! These's companies need to make a tower with 10" woofers.

[@warrenmullett]

I would pull the trigger on a good tower will real woofers !

[@skumnjepf]

Andrew Jones is not the God of speaker construction.