This review delves into the ELAC DF63 floor-standing speaker, a visually striking and sonically impressive audio component. Available in black and wood finishes, the DF63 boasts a sleek, modern design and robust build quality, promising both aesthetic appeal and durability. Internally, its sophisticated three-way design, featuring two 6-inch mid-bass drivers, a 6-inch mid-range driver, and a 1-inch dome tweeter, each in its own chamber, contributes to its exceptional acoustic clarity and minimized distortion.The ELAC DF63’s performance is thoroughly examined through listening tests and detailed frequency response measurements. We explore its soundstage characteristics, imaging capabilities, and overall tonal balance, highlighting both its strengths and minor areas for potential adjustment. Comparisons are drawn with competing models, providing context for the DF63's position within the market and justifying its price point. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment, enabling readers to determine if the ELAC DF63 is the right speaker for their audio needs.
Pros And Cons
- Good bass extension
- High output capability
- Nice and wide sound stage
- Good linearity overall
- No intermodulation distortion artifacts
- Two dedicated midbase drivers and a dedicated mid-range driver help reduce distortion
- High frequency drops off too much when toed out and faced out into the room
- A vocal resonance, more noticeable with female vocals, sounding like a droning resonant sound
- A mild peak around 10 kHz makes the shaker stand out in front of the sound stage
- A dip between 1-3 kHz in the midrange area makes the sound less neutral
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Speaker Design and Aesthetics
The ELAC DF63 is a visually appealing floor-standing speaker available in black and wood finishes. The wood finish model features a unique front baffle with a textured vinyl-like material, providing a distinct aesthetic appeal. The overall design is sleek and modern, making it a stylish addition to any listening environment. The speaker's build quality feels solid and well-constructed, inspiring confidence in its durability and performance.
Internal Construction and Components
Inside, the DF63 boasts a well-dampened internal design. The speaker incorporates two 6-inch mid-bass drivers, a single 6-inch mid-range driver, and a 1-inch dome tweeter. Each driver has its own chamber, promoting acoustic clarity and reducing unwanted interactions between the drivers. The substantial internal bracing enhances structural rigidity, reducing unwanted vibrations and improving overall sound quality.
Driver Analysis and Impedance Sweep
Impedance sweeps reveal distinct differences between the mid-range and mid-bass drivers, confirming their individual roles in the frequency spectrum. This confirms that the ELAC DF63 utilizes a three-way configuration, where the mid-range driver handles a specific frequency band independent from the mid-bass drivers. This targeted approach contributes to improved sonic accuracy and reduces distortion.
Subjective Listening Experience
Listening tests indicate optimal performance when the speakers are pointed directly at the listener. While toeing them out is possible, it results in excessive high-frequency roll-off. The speaker showcases a balanced frequency response with a nice mid-bass thump, extending down to approximately 50-60 Hz in the reviewer's setup. The soundstage is wide and well-defined, delivering an immersive listening experience.
Detailed Listening Notes and Observations
Specific tracks highlighted excellent imaging and instrument separation. The reviewer noted a pleasant mid-bass presence and a lack of intermodulation distortion, resulting in clean, high-output listening. Minor issues included a slight vocal resonance and a forward-sounding shaker in certain tracks. However, these issues were easily addressed with minor EQ adjustments, demonstrating the speaker's versatility and its ability to be fine-tuned for a desired listening experience. The reviewer's preference is for the speaker pointed directly at the listener to optimize the soundstage focus.
Measurement Data Analysis
Frequency response measurements showed a shallow roll-off, suggesting the speaker might perform even better closer to a wall. A dip and peak around 200-300 Hz correlated with the audible resonance observed during listening tests. The horizontal directivity was generally good, although a slight change in behavior around 2.5 kHz was noted. The harmonic and multi-tone distortion measurements were low, indicating good linearity and output capability. The group delay showed a slight resonance in the lower-midrange.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Overall, the ELAC DF63 is a highly recommended speaker. At its price point ($1100/pair), it offers impressive performance, particularly in bass extension and high-output capability. Minor tonal issues can be addressed easily via EQ. Compared to other models such as the Pulk R500 or R700, the ELAC DF63 offers a more balanced and neutral sound with slightly less high-frequency narrowing. While the tweeter crossover could possibly be lowered, this does not significantly impact the listening experience. Minor resonant issues and a subtle dip in the midrange are present but not overly problematic. This speaker offers a great combination of sound quality, features, and visual appeal.