The Elac's original Debut speaker range was launched around three years ago to a fair amount of acclaim. Now it's back with Debut 2.0, and these are the entry-level Debut B5.2 speakers.
We tested the entry-level Debut B5s (£250 at the time) and liked their combination of fluid midrange and timing, though found dynamics and drive fell short of that delivered by the class leaders. Established budget superpowers such as Q Acoustics and Dali could rest easy knowing their respective products still held the upper hand.
This time around we’re not so sure, for the new Debut 2.0 B5.2 speakers are brilliant performers for the money.
Build Elac Debut B5.2 build In short, Elac has changed almost everything about the new Debuts. The cabinet is a similar volume to before but its proportions are around 2cm different in all directions. They’re now taller (34cm), narrower (18cm) and deeper (23cm) in a bid to look smarter and be less visually obtrusive. To our eyes these changes have worked, helping to make the Debut B5.2s look more modern.
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ELAC DEBUT B5.2 TECH SPECS
Frequency 46Hz – 35000Hz
Impedance 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 86db
Max power 120W
Finishes 1
Dimensions (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm
As with most rivals, the bass is tuned by a reflex port. On the new Debut this has moved to the front panel to make the speakers less sensitive to their proximity to the rear wall, which makes placement easier.
The tweeter may be hidden behind a distinctive grille, but it marks a major change from the previous version. It’s now a wide surround design with improved dispersion and a top-end response that extends to a claimed 35kHz. The old one topped out at a mere 20kHz, so we’re expecting a lot more top-end sparkle and openness than before.
These new drivers positively demand a better foundation to work from and Elac's engineers have obliged with a more rigid, braced MDF enclosure. This is claimed to display fewer resonances and add less distortion to the sound than that found on the previous model. Connection to the amplifier is through a pair of solid single-wire terminals.
We’re impressed by the build of the B5.2s and admire their crisp lines and feeling of solidity. They’re only available in one finish though – the decent, but slightly drab looking, black ash vinyl as used on our review sample.
Compatibility Elac Debut B5.2 rear These speakers prove unfussy about placement. They work best a little out into the room – we start at around 30cm and experiment – but will still deliver relatively balanced results if not optimally placed. Ideally they should sit on rigid stands to get the best sound. Thankfully, the Debuts aren’t particularly fussy about angling in towards the listening position, producing a wide, solid sound stage with little work.
Speakers at this level need to work with a wide range of partnering equipment. They’re just as likely to be fed by a budget micro-system as they are quality separates, and so need to be balanced to work well with both.
Elac's engineers have done a decent though not class-leading job here. The B5.2s aren’t quite as forgiving of partnering electronics as either the Q Acoustics 3020is or Dali’s Spektor 2s due to a presentation that leans more towards analysis than smoothness or warmth. Any shortcomings of the partnering electronics aren’t hidden, but thankfully, not exaggerated either. These speakers merely reflect the quality of the signal fed to them rather than try to sweeten it.
Move to quality entry-level separates or higher – the Elacs positively sing with the likes of the Marantz PM6006UK (£299) or Rega Brio (£599) with a suitable source – and it becomes clear that these boxes are something special.
Elac Debut B5.2 terminals Feed the speakers Madonna’s Ray Of Light and they have no trouble coping with the album’s dense instrumentation and complex rhythms. These are expressive performers that deliver sound with a precision and cohesion that’s r