If you want to buy some bookshelf speakers, this article is for you. The Focal Kanta N°1 and Elac DB63 are the best bookshelf speakers in the market. In this article, we will compare these two bookshelf speakers, both have something unique to offer, and we will look at the differences to help you choose the best bookshelf speaker for your system.
Focal Kanta N°1 Overview
The Kanta series is one of Focal’s most popular series, focusing more on drivers and cabinet design. It has some beautiful finishes, Matte fronts (Black, Ivory, White) combined with Black High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss, or White High Gloss bodies.
It features an 11/16 inch Beryllium tweeter and a 6 ½ inch flax cone woofer. Focal used glass fibers with these Flax cones, giving them unmatched sound dampening. The Focal Kanta N°1 also has Tuned Mass Dumping and a Neutral Inductance Circuit, which stabilizes the magnetic field for a more detailed sound and controlled bass.
The two drivers, along with the backport give a frequency response of 46Hz to 40kHz. Most of the time you won’t need that much power for this speaker, but for some movies, you might need an amplifier to deliver the best results. The speaker is rear ported, it gives off a lot of energy out the back, producing a more bass-heavy sound.
The good quality drivers produce some clean sound. If you’re listening to music, every instrument will be accurately rendered and placed at a specific place in the sound. The Beryllium tweeter works fast and pushes the sound out, making you feel the bass and sound.
Elac DB63 Overview
The Elac DB63 is a 2-way bookshelf speaker. It has a 1-inch aluminum tweeter and a 6 ½ inch aramid fiber woofer. It has a frequency response of 42Hz to 38kHz and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. This speaker is only available in one finish, a Black Ash Vinyl cabinet with a Satin Black Vinyl front. On the back, you have a set of 5-way binding posts.
As this is not a full-range speaker, you may have to get an external subwoofer to get better bass performance. If you’re setting up a home theatre with these speakers, then a subwoofer becomes mandatory.
The Elac DB63 is a very neutral speaker, it sounds amazing in the lows, highs, and midrange. It pairs well with all types of amplifiers, it doesn’t have a boosted bass response but you won’t notice it that much when using it. As you increase the sound, the frequency does not skew or distort, which results in a sound that scales well on high volumes. The inert cabinet helps keep the woofer detailed. When you hit the bass limit, the Elac DB63 will sound a little flat, but that is due to the absence of a bass boost. On their own, the Elac DB63s sound perfect, but if you add a subwoofer, then the bass and scaling become much better. The soundstage is very broad, it has good width but the depth is average.
Side By Side Comparision
| Features | Focal Kanta N°1 | Elac DB63 |
| Design | Bass reflex 2-way library speaker | 2-Way Bass Reflex |
| Frequency Response | 46 Hz – 40 kHz | 42 Hz – 38 kHz |
| Low Frequency Point | 42 Hz | 42 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω | 6 Ω |
| Minimum Impedance | 3.9 Ω | N/A |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 25 – 150 W | 20 – 140 W |
| Peak Power Handling | N/A | 120 W |
Both of these speakers have a 2-way bass reflex design, and they have similar sensitivity ratings and frequency responses. Both speakers can be used in home theatre systems, but you will need an external subwoofer for the Elac DB63 to handle the bass.
The Focal Kanta N°1 focuses more on detailed sound and has a Beryllium tweeter for fast response. It is more bass-heavy and may require an amplifier for certain uses. The Elac DB63 has a more neutral sound with good performance in lows, mids, and highs but lacks the bass presence without an external subwoofer. It has a broad soundstage, but the depth is average.
Verdict
In conclusion, both the Focal Kanta N°1 and Elac DB63 offer excellent performance in the bookshelf speaker category, but they cater to different audiences. The Focal Kanta N°1 is a premium choice, delivering a highly detailed and dynamic sound, making it ideal for audiophiles who prioritize detail, depth, and design aesthetics. On the other hand, the Elac DB63 excels as a versatile, neutral speaker that maintains its balance across lows, mids, and highs. While it lacks the deep bass presence without a subwoofer, it provides a broad soundstage and pairs well with a wide range of amplifiers, offering great value for more budget-conscious users or those seeking a neutral sound profile for home theater setups.