#ELAC DEBUT REFERENCE B6 DRIVERS#

On hearing the Debut B6 for the very first time I am struck by how curtailed it is in its bass and treble. Absolutely Immune is a complex, highly compressed extravaganza that sounds wonderfully overblown and bombastic, and it’s a veritable workout for a small, low-cost speaker such as this. I kick off the proceedings with some classic eighties pop from Act. For this reason alone, considering its price, the B6 can count as a complete success. You can feed it with pretty much any type of music – from classical to jazz via techno and rock – and the little Elac shows every sign of enjoying itself.

And this is precisely what Andrew Jones has done with the B6 there’s a sense that it certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s still highly likeable. Given the fact that the compromises are so great that you’ll never get electrostatic levels of detail or earth shaking bass, any good designer will stick with the midband and engineer it to be as engaging as possible. In my listening room, I find that it works best on a sand-filled stand, very gently toed-in and positioned about 30cm from the rear wall.įun is one thing you can hope for from a budget loudspeaker. My reference Exposure 3010S2-D (HFC 397) integrated – admittedly a little more expensive than the sort of amplifier that would typically be used with the B6 – has no trouble driving the Elac and indeed it seems a relatively forgiving speaker for an amplifier to drive. Elac recommends it’s used with amplifiers rated between 20W and 120W RMS per channel. Its quoted sensitivity of 87dB is pretty average for the size and price, meaning that most modern amplifiers should get a good, loud punch from it. The drive units comprise a 25mm cone tweeter with metal front plate to protect from prying fingers, and a 165mm woven Aramid fibre mid/bass unit that crosses over at a fairly standard 3kHz. One let down is the lack of neat magnetic fixings for the grille, though instead it is held in place by seventies-style clips protruding from the cabinet. The rest of the package is par for the course at this price – from the decently solid binding posts to the plastic reflex port assembly. Again, you wouldn’t expect anything else at this price – yet the finish rather flatters to deceive. The other thing is that, although the finish looks a little flashier than some price rivals, just one knock of the knuckle on the side of the cabinet reveals that it’s a decidedly thin box. I’m not a huge fan of this particular ‘brushed’ finish (some will remember it appeared on Rega Planar 3 turntables in the mid eighties for a while, but I digress), as it looks a little chintzy and means that the speaker As you’d expect, it’s a two-way reflex port loaded design with a chipboard cabinet and vinyl wrap. This loudspeaker is pretty typical for a ‘bargain basement’ standmount, showing plenty of signs of cost-cutting – albeit nothing that its rivals don’t have. The entry-level B5 is just a little bit smaller than the B6, and lacks some of the bass extension of the model that’s reviewed here.

There are also matching centre channel (C5) and surround (A4) models, along with a new compact floorstander (F5) and a choice of subwoofers. He has masterminded the entire new Debut range, in which the B6 is the second smallest stereo loudspeaker – so it’s an unashamed entry-level product. Given the illustrious career this ex-Pioneer man has behind him – having worked for the likes of KEF and Infinity, as well as being behind some superb TAD high-end designs – perhaps this is completely understandable. Mr Jones’ name is festooned all over this speaker – well, on the box and the rear nameplate at least.

#ELAC DEBUT REFERENCE B6 DRIVERS#

It’s also made in China in an effort to keep cost down were the Debut range produced in Elac’s native Germany, it would need to have cheaper cabinets, drivers and wiring to break even. For this, says designer Andrew Jones, a completely new approach was required that has meant new, bespoke drive units, careful fettling of less exotic cabinets and a meticulous costing of all the component parts to give the best sound per pound. However, the new B6 – designed in Cypress, California – sells at a substantially lower price point than the company’s previous wares – at £299 per pair. Traditionally, Elac loudspeakers have had a distinctively bright, bracing and detailed sound with a delicate and well resolved treble thanks to the innovative and expensive tweeter.

It’s Elac Jim, but not as we know it! I have reviewed countless loudspeakers from this established German company over the years, and been impressed by many aspects of the sound, style and design – but the Debut B6 represents a ‘clean sheet’ loudspeaker by a newly hired acoustic engineer, done in a foreign country at a new price point. Designed by Andrew Jones, the Elac Debut B6 is a delight

Elac debut reference b6