Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It ranks #136 of 203 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $329 and is still sold new; the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks #169 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+’s replacement, the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, is rated 4.2/5.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 is the better-sounding pick. Reasonably flat on-axis and listening-window response with reasonably even horizontal directivity, holding about ±60° up to roughly 8kHz for consistent stereo width whether aimed directly at the listener or toed out. The tradeoff: A good size resonant peak around 700Hz stands out from an otherwise smooth response and lingers in cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) measurements: in one reviewer’s sighted A/B test, reducing it by about 5dB via EQ made a noticeable but not dramatic difference.
The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ is the more accurate pick. Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.60 against 4.75 for the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. Watch for: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 per pair | $449 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #136 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #169 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 6.5” woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 7.7”W x 10.6”D (375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0 mm) | 12.8”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (324 x 216 x 293 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 (spinorama.org) | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.0 (spinorama.org) | 7.96 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2: $329.00 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Newer model: the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Same family: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Reasonably flat on-axis and listening-window response with reasonably even horizontal directivity, holding about ±60° up to roughly 8kHz for consistent stereo width whether aimed directly at the listener or toed out. Its larger-than-typical woofer lets it play very loud with minimal distortion, staying under about 1% THD down to 50Hz at 86dB, and minimum impedance stays a comfortable 5-6 ohms. In-room bass extension reaches about 50Hz without much trouble, enough for a solid kick-drum sound. Takes equalization very well: correcting the on-axis response doesn’t cost sensitivity through the midrange, and the underlying directivity behavior (diffraction, vertical mismatch) is mild enough that EQ alone gets most of the way to a well-balanced sound. Vertical tolerance is asymmetric and fairly forgiving: about 10° above the tweeter axis and 20° below it before tonal balance meaningfully shifts. One reviewer called it “a good speaker” with “a good price” rather than just good-for-the-price, and found it fairly neutral overall in-room. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
Cons: A good size resonant peak around 700Hz stands out from an otherwise smooth response and lingers in cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) measurements: in one reviewer’s sighted A/B test, reducing it by about 5dB via EQ made a noticeable but not dramatic difference. Directivity error shows up around 3.3kHz, and the upper-midrange around 4-6kHz stood out as edgy and sharp, almost sibilant at times, in casual listening: the predicted in-room response shows a lack of energy between 1-2kHz and a bit too much above that, which one reviewer thought would sound bright. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m shows two harmonic peaks the reviewer says “should not be there,” one from woofer breakup around 400Hz and another around 7-8kHz from the tweeter, and multitone distortion approaches 10% in the 500-800Hz range at that output level. Real compression shows up even at moderate volume and worsens at 96dB and above, with the woofer clearly giving up around 60-70Hz: a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting to listen loud, since running it full-range at high output costs real dynamic range in the midbass and bass. Don’t place it close to a wall: boundary reinforcement adds a midbass bump that undoes the otherwise smooth, linear response. Getting the best out of it takes EQ (taming the 700Hz peak, filling in the 1-2kHz dip, and trimming the highs).
Full ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 7.7”W x 10.6”D (375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.0 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Same family: the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ (floorstanding, rated 4.2/5) and the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ (center, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (324 x 216 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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