Short answer: the ELAC DB63. It ranks #37 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499; the Definitive Technology Demand D11 ranks #48 and costs $999, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the ELAC DB63: 1” aluminum dome tweeter with a distinctive partial-lens waveguide design paired with a 6.5” third-generation aramid fiber cone woofer, in a robustly built cabinet for the price. The tradeoff: A dip in the lower midrange (300-600Hz, about 1.5dB) reduces vocal warmth and can make voices sound slightly hollow.
What the Definitive Technology Demand D11 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly flat, well-controlled response - close to class-leading if not for one narrow resonance. Set against that: A narrow but real ~600Hz jaggy shows up consistently in on-axis and off-axis measurements.
Buy the ELAC DB63. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Definitive Technology Demand D11 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC DB63 | Definitive Technology Demand D11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.3"H x 7.7"W x 11.7"D (337.8 x 195.6 x 297.2 mm) | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.4 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Aramid Fiber woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter | 6.5" BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10" oval passive radiator |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg each | 17 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | passive radiator |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 20-200W recommended |
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- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
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- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Infinity Reference R162
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC DB63: $499.00 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: 1” aluminum dome tweeter with a distinctive partial-lens waveguide design paired with a 6.5” third-generation aramid fiber cone woofer, in a robustly built cabinet for the price. Shallow bass rolloff (F3 76Hz, F10 40Hz) allows placement close to a wall without excessive boominess, useful for smaller living rooms. Solid measured performance for the price: on-axis linearity within about 2.5dB, impedance dipping only to about 4.4 ohms (easily AVR-driven), and roughly 20-26dB of usable dynamic range. A clear improvement over its sibling ELAC DB62, which has a sibilance issue tied to the crossover that can’t be fixed with EQ. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±60°, giving a spacious soundstage. Distortion looks good at a moderate 86dB and still reasonable at 96dB. Takes well to EQ correction - the reviewer provides a specific filter set (a low-shelf boost at 650Hz plus peaking cuts/boosts at 550Hz, 660Hz, and 3kHz) that meaningfully smooths out its known deviations.
Cons: A dip in the lower midrange (300-600Hz, about 1.5dB) reduces vocal warmth and can make voices sound slightly hollow. A high-Q resonance around 650-750Hz shows up clearly in measurements, though the reviewer couldn’t reliably hear it in his own A/B testing. A dip around 2-3kHz (roughly 1-2dB) slightly reduces speech intelligibility and attack in the upper midrange. Directivity droops above about 2kHz as the midwoofer narrows toward its beaming frequency while the tweeter’s pattern behaves differently - an inherent trade-off of physically separated drivers that can’t be fully corrected without introducing other issues. Multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold in the 200Hz-1kHz range, and adding a subwoofer at an 80Hz crossover only modestly reduces it. Toeing the speaker away from the listener loses noticeable top-end air and cymbal energy, giving a softer upper register. Practical loudness ceiling is around 90dB at typical listening distance before midrange distortion and bass attack begin to degrade. Still needs a subwoofer for extension below about 40Hz.
Full ELAC DB63 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.3"H x 7.7"W x 11.7"D (337.8 x 195.6 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Aramid Fiber woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.4 ohms minimum, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Definitive Technology Demand D11: $999 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly flat, well-controlled response - close to class-leading if not for one narrow resonance. Distortion is well controlled and the deep cabinet lets it play loud without bottoming out except on the deepest bass content. Cabinet construction and finish are a clear step above budget speakers.
Cons: A narrow but real ~600Hz jaggy shows up consistently in on-axis and off-axis measurements. Horizontal directivity is uneven because of the offset tweeter position, giving the left and right channels slightly different off-axis energy. There’s a low-frequency rattle/noise at very deep bass levels the reviewer called “horrendous.” Discontinued; the Demand series has moved on to newer models. Discontinued.
Full Definitive Technology Demand D11 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13H x 7.25W x 12.5D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" BDSS polypropylene woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter (offset), 6x10" oval passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 24kHz (61Hz - 22kHz -3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 20-200W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 17 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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