Elac Debut B5.2
The Elac’s original Debut speaker range was launched a few years ago to a fair amount of acclaim. Now it has been updated with the Debut 2.0 range, and these are the entry-level Debut B5.2 speakers.
We tested the Debut B5s (£250 at the time) and liked their combination of fluid midrange and timing, though we found dynamics and drive fell short of that delivered by the class leaders such as Q Acoustics and Dali. This time, we’re not so sure. The new Debut 2.0 B5.2 speakers are brilliant performers for the money.
A more modern look
Elac has changed almost everything about the new Debuts. The cabinet is a similar volume to before but is now taller (34cm), narrower (18cm) and deeper (23cm) – smarter and less visually obtrusive, and to our eyes more modern.
The 13cm mid/bass unit is thoroughly revised too, using a new blend of tough Aramid fibres for the cone, combined with a different shape to improve stiffness and damping. That the dust cap is now convex rather than concave will strike most people as a minor detail, but it has benefits at the top end of the driver’s operating range – the crossover is at 2.2khz – and helps integration with the tweeter.
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, for easier placement.
The tweeter 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 this time.
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 available in only one finish though – a decent but slightly drab looking black ash vinyl.
Wide, solid soundstage
These speakers 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, as with all such speakers, 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 soundstage with little work.
Speakers at this level need to perform 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 if not class-leading job here. The B5.2s aren’t quite as forgiving of partnering electronics as either the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1s or the Q Acoustics 3030i due to a presentation that leans more towards analysis than smoothness or warmth. Any shortcomings of the partnering electronics aren’t hidden, but they’re not exaggerated either. They merely reflect the quality of the signal fed to them rather than try to sweeten it.
The Elacs positively sing with quality entry-level separates such as the Marantz PM6007 (£499) or Rega Brio (£599) with a suitable source, and it’s clear that these boxes are something special.
Precision and cohesion
The speakers have no trouble coping with the dense instrumentation and complex rhythms of Madonna’s Ray Of Light. These are expressive performers that deliver sound with a precision and cohesion that’s rare for this level. The old Debuts timed well, but these go even further, conveying the changes of musical momentum beautifully.
Tonally they don’t have the sweetness of the Q Acoustics or midrange warmth of the Oberon 1s, but they’re even-handed and admirably balanced in the way they deal with poorer, more aggressive recordings. And they pull ahead of both when it comes to insight and composure.
From the sparse electronica of Neneh Cherry’s Broken Politics to Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, these little speakers have the dynamic expression, detail resolution and tonal sophistication to handle it all, and enough stretch to get better even when the rest of the system is upgraded.
Elac has been in the speaker business since the 1980s and has made many fine products in that time. It’s fair to say these new Debut B5.2 speakers should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts, particularly at the price.