Напольная акустика — ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2

The ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 is the compact floorstander of the Debut 2.0 line, which ELAC introduced with new custom drivers and a revised cabinet compared with the first Debut generation. The maker positions it as a basic building block for either two-channel stereo or a multichannel system. Andrew Jones, vice president of engineering at ELAC, led the design, and the model was released in 2018 at an MSRP of USD 800 per pair.

Key specs that matter

The F5.2 carries a 1 inch cloth dome tweeter plus three 5.25 inch aramid fibre cones, one of which works as the midrange while the other two act as woofers. ELAC gives a frequency response of 42 Hz to 35,000 Hz, a nominal impedance of 6 ohm and sensitivity of 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. The crossover divides the range at 90 Hz and 2,200 Hz. Maximum power input is 140 W. The cabinet measures 180 mm wide, 1,016 mm tall and 234 mm deep, and the unit weighs 15.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

For the second Debut generation ELAC revised the shape of the aramid cone to give it greater stiffness and damping, and the maker states that the added strength opened more freedom in design to achieve an extended low frequency response with a smoother roll-off. The tweeter gained a wide-roll surround and a new waveguide, which according to ELAC gives better control of directivity and reduces the diffraction modes of a conventional box. The low first crossover point means the two woofers are limited to the lowest bass, and the third unit covers the band from there up to the tweeter. The thick enclosure is built from CARB2 rated MDF with side-to-side internal bracing for greater stiffness, and it is wrapped in black ash vinyl. Three dual flared ports vent the cabinet, a shape intended to keep air noise low at high output. The terminals are five-way metal binding posts.

Pairing

The moderate nominal impedance keeps the F5.2 within the comfort zone of most stereo amps and AV receivers, whose typical output matches its power rating. Within the Debut 2.0 family the tower can be combined with the matching centre, bookshelf and surround models and with a subwoofer to build a multichannel system from one driver platform.

Alternatives

The ELAC Debut Reference DFR52 is the upmarket tower with the same crossover points, an 87 dB rating, a wood veneer cabinet with a contrasting baffle and full perimeter bracing.