Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $549; the ELAC DBR62 ranks #79, rated 4.0/5, and costs $699.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The ELAC DBR62 is the deeper-bass choice. An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 62Hz for the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. The catch: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate pick. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 5.07 for the ELAC DBR62. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ELAC DBR62 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch.
A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC DBR62 | Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.98 per pair | $549 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.2”W x 10.8”D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Aramid Fiber woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | Bass reflex, rear ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 5.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 7.93 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.6kHz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W continuous, 200W peak |
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