Elac’s New Debut ConneX DCB61 Brings More Power, Bigger Sound, and Smarter Features

A five-star favorite gets a serious upgrade with enhanced drivers, deeper bass, and HDMI eARC.

Building on Success

After the critical acclaim earned by the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Debut ConneX DCB41, Elac is upping the ante with the new Debut ConneX DCB61 — a more powerful, feature-rich iteration designed to deliver deeper bass, wider soundstage, and greater versatility.

Where the DCB41 offered plug-and-play simplicity and clean sonic performance at an accessible price, the DCB61 aims higher — bringing upgraded components, better amplification, and more refined tuning into a compact, modern speaker system.

More Power, Deeper Impact

Each two-way speaker in the DCB61 system features a dedicated Class D amplifier per driver — a 60-watt amp for the 16.5cm (6.5-inch) polypropylene mid/bass woofer and a 20-watt amp for the 19mm soft-dome tweeter. This bi-amped configuration allows Elac to maintain precision and clarity across the full frequency range, with improved control over dynamics and distortion.

To further enhance low-end response, Elac has introduced its XBass Enhancer technology, designed to dig deeper and offer a richer, more dynamic bass performance — without muddying the mids or compromising top-end detail.

And for high-frequency finesse, the tweeter is paired with a custom waveguide, improving off-axis response and delivering a smoother, more accurate treble presentation.

Versatility Meets Simplicity

Where the DCB61 shines is in its effortless flexibility. Whether you're using it for vinyl, TV audio, or Bluetooth streaming, it's built to slot seamlessly into modern listening setups:

• HDMI eARC for easy TV integration

• Built-in MM phono stage for turntables

• USB-B and optical inputs for digital sources

• Bluetooth with LC3+ codec for wireless streaming

• Dedicated app control for convenience and customization

  
  

This makes the DCB61 not just a pair of speakers — but a self-contained, all-in-one stereo system for today’s connected living spaces.

Refined Sound, Refined Look

While performance is the headline, Elac hasn’t skimped on visual appeal. The DCB61 comes in four tasteful finishes: white, black, olive green, and walnut veneer — ensuring they’ll look as comfortable on a credenza as they sound in a listening room.

Is It Worth the Step Up?

At $899 / £699 / €799, the ConneX DCB61 is a significant upgrade over the original DCB41 (which launched at £528 / $595). But that extra outlay gets you larger drivers, more powerful amplification, deeper bass, and broader connectivity, including HDMI eARC — a rarity in this speaker category.

And for those who found the DCB41’s phono stage a touch underwhelming, there’s hope that Elac has addressed those limitations with the DCB61’s refreshed internals.

Key Highlights – Elac Debut ConneX DCB61

• Bi-Amplified Design: 60W woofer + 20W tweeter Class D amplification per speaker

• 6.5" polypropylene woofer + 19mm soft dome tweeter with waveguide

• XBass Enhancer for deeper, more dynamic bass response

• HDMI eARC, USB-B, Optical, Analog, and Phono inputs

• LC3+ Bluetooth for high-quality wireless streaming

• App control for system management

• Four finish options: white, black, olive green, walnut

• $899 / £699 / €799 MSRP

  
  

Final Take

The Debut ConneX DCB61 doesn’t just follow in the footsteps of the five-star DCB41 — it redefines what powered bookshelf speakers can be at this level. With its clean industrial design, punchy sound signature, and wide-ranging inputs, it offers a tempting all-in-one solution for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

If you're looking to step up from entry-level powered speakers without committing to a full separate system, this could be the sweet spot of performance, style, and convenience.