Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It ranks #62 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $329; the Revel Performa M22 ranks #68 and costs $600, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
The case for the Revel Performa M22: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. The tradeoff: 3dB bass boost around 100hz.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Revel Performa M22 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 | Revel Performa M22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | About $600 used |
| Ranked | #62 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #68 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 5.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs / 13.2 kg | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.8"H x 7.7"W x 10.6"D (375.0 x 195.0 x 268.0 mm) | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
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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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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Revel Performa M22: About $600 used
Pros: Very flat frequency response from 200hz to 10khz. Distortion is well controlled through most of the range, with only a modest crossover-region bump around 2-4kHz.
Cons: 3dB bass boost around 100hz. On-axis response also droops below 150Hz and peaks above 4kHz, which the reviewer thought may sound a bit bright/light. Distortion rises substantially below 100Hz when driven hard.
Full Revel Performa M22 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.5"H x 8.6"W x 11.9"D (368.3 x 219.1 x 301.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 200mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 41.7 lbs / 18.9 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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