Elac Debut ConneX Adsum bookshelf speakers review
Perhaps you already know the Elac Debut ConneX. We tested it. However, it now comes in a new design, thanks to a collaboration with the New York fashion label Adsum. So, we’re taking another close look at this small active speaker. Tested at €649.
The Debut ConneX has been on the market since the end of 2022. This compact active speaker stands out mainly due to its variety of connections. In our test, it scored 8.5. One of the few criticisms at the time was its somewhat conservative design and build quality, which detracted from the image of this well-sounding speaker.
The brand-new design special edition of the Debut ConneX by Adsum aims to address these points. However, compared to the standard version, this special edition is also €120 more expensive, but with a very affordable pair price of €649, that’s not an issue.
What is Elac Debut ConneX Adsum?
The American menswear brand Adsum was founded in 2015 in Brooklyn, New York, by Peter Macnee. It focuses on modern streetwear, inspired by traditional workwear of service personnel, farmworkers, and gardeners from urban and rural areas in North America. The company name fittingly means “I am here” in Latin. Now, Adsum ventures into the speaker world, giving the Debut ConneX a new look. But before we dive into the design details, let’s focus on the technical aspects of these active speakers.
Build and Design
Technical Details
The Elac Debut ConneX is designed as an active bookshelf speaker, with only one speaker being fully active. This speaker also houses the connection terminal, while the second, passive speaker is connected via a speaker cable. This setup is known as a master-client configuration. The Debut ConneX follows the 2-way principle, utilizing both a woofer and a tweeter.
To further enhance the low-frequency response, the small Elac employs a bass reflex system, with the slit-shaped bass reflex port located on the back of the speaker. Inside the cabinet, the reflex tube is folded, minimizing airflow noise due to its large surface area. The tweeter features a dome made of fine woven fabric, housed in a waveguide that improves dispersion and balance. The woofer has an especially long excursion, allowing it to move a significant amount of air despite its relatively small diameter, resulting in a high sound pressure level even at low power.
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Speaking of power, the active section of the Elac Debut ConneX delivers 50 watts to each speaker—more than sufficient for a speaker of this size and price range. The connection terminal of the active speaker impressed us during our previous test. Elac leaves nothing to be desired here. This versatile speaker can be connected analog via RCA, with a switch allowing these inputs to be converted to a phono stage. For digital connections, it offers Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, and an optical input. Through the USB port, the ConneX can process signals from a computer with up to 96 kHz sampling rate and 24-bit resolution.
Additionally, there are speaker terminals to connect both speakers, and a small knob serves as a control option. To add a subwoofer, the Debut ConneX includes a sub out. The connections on the passive speaker are less exciting, with only two terminals available. The terminal, like in the standard version, is well-crafted and promises durability.
New Look
The housing of the Debut ConneX Adsum has been completely redesigned. While the dimensions of the speakers remain unchanged, the Elac speaker is hardly recognizable in terms of look and feel.
Adsum has given the speaker a modern, less rounded cabinet, coated in a slightly off-white (cream) finish. This uniform color scheme is, in our opinion, a brilliant upgrade compared to the standard veneer look. While the front grille of the standard version was attached with plastic pins, the grille of the Adsum variant is now held in place magnetically. Furthermore, the fabric grille has been replaced by a more premium-looking metal grille in the same color as the cabinet. This change evokes the legendary Braun speakers from the 1960s, such as the L 410. A wonderful blend of retro and modern design. The Adsum version of the Elac also comes with another special feature: the speaker includes approximately 5 cm high stands made of bent metal tubing in a Bauhaus style. These stands are a stylish and practical solution for a desk, again reminding us of classic speakers from the mid-century era. Overall, the redesign of the Elac speaker is a very cohesive variant that, with its nod to various design classics, should fit perfectly into many interior settings.
Usability
Moving from theory to practice, the front of the active speaker features a small LED that indicates the selected source. For example, HDMI lights up green, while the analog input glows white. If the light is bothersome, it can be turned off using the remote control, which is also in the same color as the speakers. We recall that during our test of the standard ConneX, we had issues with the remote control not always responding immediately to our commands. That’s no longer the case. However, the layout of the buttons is still somewhat confusing, with the different sources spread across the remote. Nevertheless, overall operation is quick and trouble-free. It’s just a pity that there’s no indication of whether the XBASS function is currently on or off. You’ll need to listen carefully to tell. While not a bad approach, it’s a bit impractical. Alternatively, the knob on the back of the active speaker can be used. Pressing it cycles through the sources, while turning it adjusts the volume—a simple yet effective solution.
Sound Quality
Technically, almost nothing has changed in the Adsum variant. Well, almost nothing, as a resistor in the circuit has been changed, causing a slight shift in the balance between the woofer and the tweeter. Whether this is audible in practice is up for debate, as this change is due to the design. Nevertheless, we didn’t miss the opportunity to subject the speaker to another sound test. The Debut ConneX performed as we remembered. Its strength lies in the reproduction of highs and mids. Those who prefer rich bass may want to pair the speaker with a subwoofer. This becomes especially noticeable during a Gregory Porter concert, held as part of the Baloise Session. The American jazz singer delivers a sensual and sometimes exuberant performance full of virtuosity and emotion, which the ConneX handles quite well. The vocal reproduction is particularly well-executed, sounding clean, highly intelligible, and clear.
The piano and brass instruments also come across with their full emotional depth. The drums are both crisp and gentle, which suits the jazz genre. Only the lower mids seem a bit muddy, and the bass could use a bit more punch. Even the XBASS function doesn’t make much of a difference in this listening example. While it adds a bit more power, it also makes the sound less precise and natural. For gaming or film, this is certainly a useful and effective option. However, in our music test, it often didn’t quite fit.
Next, we connected via Bluetooth and played “Girlfriend” by Hemlocke Springs through Tidal Hifi Plus. The Bluetooth receiver supports aptX codec, allowing it to process signals in CD quality. The quirky indie pop song with 80s nostalgia drums, cliché synths, and Springs’ distinctive voice suits the Elac ConneX Adsum well. The reverb tails and stereo effects are nicely rendered, and the overall spatial presentation is very convincing. However, with intense and loud compositions, the ConneX occasionally struggles. The lower mids tend to drop off, making us think that pairing the Elac with an active subwoofer could be a good idea. This would give the small bookshelf speakers some support in the lower frequencies, allowing them to fully focus on reproducing the higher frequencies. The high-frequency response is indeed impressive and can be described with similar adjectives as the speaker’s appearance: clean and detailed, beautifully shaped in the room—elegant!
Gallery
Specifications
- Device Class: Compact Active Speaker
- Price Category: Entry-Level
- Manufacturer: Elac
- Model: Debut ConneX Adsum DCB41-DS
- Dimensions (W/H/D): 14×24.8×21 cm
- Weight: 3.4 kg / 2.8 kg
- Operation: Active
- Design: 2-Way Speaker, Bass Reflex
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz—25 kHz
- Power: 2x50W
- Source Connection: Cable, Bluetooth
- Streaming Capability: Only via Bluetooth
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≤90dB
- Room Recommendation: 10 m² to 25 m²
- Custom Sound Settings: Xbass
- Inputs: 1 x Phono, 1 x Cinch, 1 x Optical, 1 x HDMI ARC, 1 x Bluetooth, 1 x USB
Verdict
Elac and Adsum deserve congratulations on this collaboration. The expertise of the New York streetwear designer gives the well-sounding and highly versatile active speaker from Kiel a fresh, modern look, making it quite a statement piece. This will appeal to both younger, fashion-conscious audiences and fans of cozy, familiar retro aesthetics. Well done!
Special Features
- New design update from Adsum
- Magnetic front grille
- Includes stylish stands
Bass Performance: 17/20
Midrange Performance: 18/20
Treble Performance: 19/20
Spatial Quality: 8/10
Overall Sound Quality: 62/70
Features/Build Quality: 10/10
User-Friendliness: 9/10
Adjustments: None
Interim Score: 81 out of 90 points
Price/Performance: Good, 8/10
Final Score: Very Good, 89%
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