Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It ranks #62 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $329; the Focal Aria 906 ranks #67 and costs $2199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2: 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.
What the Focal Aria 906 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. The catch: 3dB dip around 2.8khz.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Focal Aria 906 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 | Focal Aria 906 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | $2,199.00 used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs / 13.2 kg | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.8"H x 7.7"W x 10.6"D (375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0 mm) | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, front |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Focal Aria 906
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2: $329.00 Amazon Crutchfield
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs / 13.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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Focal Aria 906: $2,199.00 used, Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows very flat bass response, with the reviewer rating overall performance “good.” Predicted in-room response is almost perfect prior to 1kHz. Horizontal dispersion of about ±60 degrees is good and stays even out to about -12dB before getting erratic. Woofer distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL/1m.
Cons: 3dB dip around 2.8khz. Some resonance around 800hz, small directivity error around 7khz. A dip in the upper midrange also shows up in the predicted in-room response. Distortion becomes problematic at 96dB SPL/1m, with a notable peak around 1.3-1.5kHz alongside broader midrange elevation. Discontinued.
Full Focal Aria 906 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.4"H x 8.9"W x 11"D (390.0 x 225.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 26mm tweeter + 165mm mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.8 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 39.9 lbs / 18.1 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons