A great pair of speakers can really make a system, and German manufacturer Elac makes some of the best speakers around. While it's not as well known as some rivals, it offers models at a range of prices to appeal to a broad spread of budgets, from affordable to audiophile.
Those below are more of the former than the latter – the £15,000 Concentro S 509.2 floorstanders don't get a look in, sadly. But while they might be more affordable, these speakers do offer some unique Elac technologies, like its 4Pi omnidirectional tweeter and JET folded-ribbon tweeter.
We've tested and reviewed a host of Elac speakers over the years, which means we're well placed to give you a rundown of the best options in the company's range. And we will be reviewing the Debut 3.0 series soon, some of which will doubtless make their way onto this list.
They will be subject to our usual rigorous reviews process. Everything that passes through our test rooms is analysed by a team of reviewers to eliminate individual bias. We've been reviewing speakers for nearly 50 years, so we know a thing or two about what makes a great pair. You can read more in our how we test section below.
With over 20 years' experience under my (drive) belt, I know a good speaker when I hear one. I've seen high-end speakers costing thousands, but Elac is one of the few brands capable of creating great models to suit all budgets. So while it might not be as well known as B&W or KEF, chances are some of its speakers will fit your needs perfectly.
The quick list
Winners of multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards in years gone by, these are superb standmounters, especially given the price. Which makes them the best pick for most people.
With more bass than the B5.2, and a fuller-bodied, more open presentation, these are where it's at if you want Elac's best standmounters.
The F5.2 have larger, more robust cabinets than their predecessors, resulting in a wonderfully transparent sound. The best Elac floorstanders, bar none.
If you're looking for a great-sounding but affordable mini hi-fi system, these Award-winning Elac speakers are for you.
As the name suggests, these are slim, which helps with positioning, and are very capable even when pressed up against a wall. A must for tight spaces.
The best Elac speakers we recommend in 2025
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
The B5.2 are a big improvement on the original Elac B5 – in fact, almost everything about them has changed. The cabinet is taller, narrower and deeper, which makes them look more modern and less obtrusive. The 5.25cm mid/bass unit is new, while the bass reflex port has moved, and the tweeter has a new design too. These changes were enough to earn them What Hi-Fi? Awards in previous years, though they have now been usurped by newer models.
And the changes aren't purely cosmetic – they make a real difference to performance. Dense instrumentation and complex rhythms pose no problem, as they deliver sound with precision and a cohesion that’s rare for this level.
They can handle a wide range of music too, with the dynamic expression, detail resolution and tonal sophistication to do all genres justice. And they'll last you, with enough stretch in their abilities to get better even when the rest of your system is upgraded – just make sure it's up to handling some of the best Elac speakers going.
Read the full Elac Debut B5.2 review
Best standmounter
Their predecessors (the B5.2, positioned above) have won multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards, and we're pleased to say this model doesn't disappoint either.
They use a larger, 16.5cm version of their mid/bass unit, so you get the same blend of materials and the same reduced levels of distortion.
And while they might look understated, they're solidly built and reassuringly well made. The bigger cabinets, aided by that sizeable reflex port, predictably offer a good deal more bass weight than the B5.2, but they still refuse to overstretch. They deliver an open and balanced sound that can reach high and deliver ample bass without issue.
The B6.2 sound rhythmic and punchy, with plenty of weight but stay nimble with it. They take what we loved about their Award-winning siblings and build on it with an even fuller-bodied and more mature presentation. And for that, we commend them.
Read the full Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review
Best floorstander
Elac's 2.0 range has undergone a bit of a design overhaul compared to the original Debut. The F5.2’s black vinyl wrapped MDF cabinets are larger and more robust than their predecessors and incorporate special internal bracing for improved stiffness and overall strength. There is also a trio of rear-firing bass reflex ports spaced evenly along each speaker’s spine. It’s a pretty radical overhaul for an already successful product.
But one listen, and you know Elac's gamble has paid off. Their sound is wonderfully transparent, with plenty of detail and textural insight. The soundstage is spacious without losing focus, while the speakers are able to tie instruments together without muddying their sounds.
Some rivals might offer a fuller presentation, but few can match the F5.2's sense of maturity and honesty.
Read the full Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2 review
Best speaker system
The Debut ConneX DCB41 is a slightly different beast to the other speakers here – it's a mini hi-fi setup in one. It comprises one powered speaker, and one more conventional passive unit, with the two linked by a speaker cable.
However, unlike some rival systems, it lacks streaming smarts, so you'll need to use Bluetooth from your mobile device or plug in an external device via the USB, optical or HDMI ports. There's also a set of stereo RCAs for hooking up a turntable. It could've done with a coax (digital) and maybe another analogue line-level input for completeness, but most bases are covered.
Build quality is pleasing, good and solid, and the speakers aren't overly fussy about placement, giving you plenty of options on where to put them.
Sonically, they provide a good level of detail, and they organise that information into a cohesive and musical whole. The overall presentation is controlled and even-handed in the manner of Elac’s award-winning Debut 2.0 series of passive speakers. These are speakers that fade into the background, letting the music take centre stage. What Hi-Fi? Award winners through and through.
Read the full Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 review
Best for placement
The clue is in the title with these Elac speakers. They boast a slimline design, but that's not all these standmounters have going for them – they're lovely to listen to, delivering a glorious spread of sound that's amazingly involving. Placing them near a wall doesn't hamper the soundstage either, which is a godsend if you don't want them encroaching on your floorspace (which makes them the best option if placement is proving tricky). They also boast a satisfying cohesion between mid and high frequencies.
There’s a lot to be said for a trim, aesthetically pleasing pair of speakers that are open-sounding, fast and agile, and – for those victims of circumstance – don't mind being positioned near a back wall. If you want style and substance, the Elac Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim are a good shout indeed.
Read the full Elac Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim review
Also consider
The best Elac speaker alternatives we've tested:
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1: For about the same price as the Debut B5.2, these Diamonds offer a composed and refined presentation with a seamless and fluid midrange. A deserved Award winner.
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3: A little pricier than the B6.2, but the 607 S3 are the standmounters to beat in this price bracket. Again, they're Award winners.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3: These are newer than the F5.2, and a little pricer (though they can be had for much closer to the F5.2 on a deal). But if it's Award-winning floorstanders you're after, look no further.
Dali Spektor 2: Old, but still solid performers, being agile, articulate and expressive, with bags of detail and an unfussy nature.
How to choose the best Elac speaker for you
Before you decide on which is for you, you need to make a few key decisions.
First, budget. All the above can be had for under or around £500. If you have more to spend, check out our list of best speakers for a pricier alternative.
Do you want bookshelf or floorstanding speakers? This really comes down to how much space you have at your disposal, as well as what kind of sound you want to achieve. If you have a large listening room with plenty of floorspace, floorstanders will deliver a fantastic performance. If your room is multi-use, bookshelf speakers might suit you better. Remember: as well as being placed on a shelf, bookshelf speakers can also be mounted on a stand (which is why they're also referred to as standmounters), which makes them more versatile.
Next you have to decide between active vs passive speakers. Working out which other components you have (or want to buy) will help you decide.
Finally, read our reviews of each speaker to see more detail of how they perform. You can also find out lots more in our complete guide to choosing the right speakers.
How we test Elac speakers
Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year, including plenty of speakers of all shapes, sizes and types. And that has included plenty of Elac speakers in recent years. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics. We have state-of-the-art testing facilities, where our team of expert reviewers do all our in-house testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process and ensures consistency.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than a single reviewer, helping to ensure consistency and avoid individual subjectivity. We spend days with each set of speakers, sometimes longer, before settling on our verdict.
From all of our reviews, we choose the top products to feature in our Best Buys, such as this one. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any of our other Best Buy pages, you can rest assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi?-approved product.
For more, check out our page on how we test products.
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F.A.Q
Where are Elac speakers from?
Elac is a German company, founded in 1926 as Electroacustic GmbH. It was subsequently shortened to Elac, which is a bit snappier.
Is KEF better than Elac?
They're very different – it would be like saying "Who's better: Jordan Pickford or Jude Bellingham?" KEF's speakers are much more expensive than Elac's (or the Elac ones we've selected here, anyway), and so for the most part they do perform better. But in terms of sound-per-pound value, Elac's speakers are tough to beat.
To see KEF's wares, check out the best KEF speakers we've tested.
What was the first Elac consumer audio product?
The PW1 record player, which launched in 1948. The company started making loudspeakers in 1984, but as you can see, its audio heritage goes back way further than that.
Recent updates
28th February 2025: Flipped to grid format of Buying Guide. Added 'Also consider', 'How to choose' and 'Recent updates' sections.
15th October 2024: Mention of Award-winners added. Also mentioned the upcoming Debut 3.0 range.
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