Short answer: the ELAC DBR62. It ranks #79 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $699.98. The Polk Signature Elite ES20 ranks #119, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98, $301 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The ELAC DBR62 is the more accurate choice. An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.07 against 4.49 for the Polk Signature Elite ES20. Watch for: A slight recess in the 1-2kHz region reduces vocal presence somewhat compared to other speakers in direct comparison.
What the Polk Signature Elite ES20 does well: Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Watch for: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
Buy the ELAC DBR62. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $301 saving on the Polk Signature Elite ES20 is not enough to make up the difference.
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An affordable bookshelf speaker that is very forgiving of placement and aiming, with wide sound and a little extra bass punch.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC DBR62 | Polk Signature Elite ES20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.98 per pair | $398.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.2”W x 10.8”D (358.1 x 208.3 x 274.3 mm) | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” Aramid Fiber woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 | 4.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 6.44 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
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