ELAC’s new ConneX DCB61 speakers arrive with big promises: more power, more features and the same plug‑and‑play simplicity that made their smaller sibling a hit. Building on the award‑winning Debut ConneX DCB41 platform, these bookshelf‑sized two‑way active speakers aim to satisfy both music lovers and home theater buffs without the fuss of separates or external amps.

When ELAC first introduced the Debut ConneX DCB41 speakers, reviewers praised their clean, detailed sound and minimal setup requirements. Now, the DCB61 boosts that formula: each woofer grows from 4½ inches to a substantial 6½ inches, driven by a dedicated 60W Class D amp, promising deeper bass and more headroom without sacrificing clarity or control.

The ConneX DCB61 employs a master‑satellite configuration. Only the primary (master) speaker houses all electronics—two Class D amplifiers, digital decoding chips, and the brains for every input. The secondary (satellite) speaker is purely passive, linked via the included mini‑DIN cable. This keeps the desktop—or your living room—tidier and frees you from an external receiver or amp.

At its heart, the master speaker’s 165mm polypropylene woofer delivers “deep, punchy bass with clarity and control” thanks to its 60W amplifier and ELAC’s proprietary XBass Enhancer processing. A rear‑firing, S‑shaped bass reflex port further refines low‑end extension without nasty port chuffing. On top, a 19mm soft‑dome tweeter, driven by 20W, sits behind a precision‑engineered waveguide. ELAC says the waveguide shapes the tweeter’s dispersion for “smooth sound with accurate high frequencies and wide dispersion,” so you get an expansive, balanced soundstage whether you’re sitting front‑and‑center or off to the side.

Where the DCB41 stopped at analog, USB‑A and Bluetooth, the DCB61 leaps forward with a full suite:

• HDMI eARC, for easy TV hookup and remote‑control volume via your TV remote.
• Bluetooth LC3+, delivering high‑quality wireless streaming even at lower bitrates.
• Optical and USB‑B (24‑bit/96 kHz) ports for gaming consoles, PCs, or hi‑res music players.
• A built‑in MM phono stage, so vinyl fans can drop a turntable straight in.

An adjustable front‑facing LED cluster shows which input is active, with brightness set via the included remote or the ELAC ConneX smartphone app (iOS and Android).

The free ELAC ConneX app is more than a volume remote. It lets you tweak EQ presets, switch Auto‑On behavior, assign left/right channels and adjust LED brightness—all from your phone. It’s a slick complement to the simplicity of the physical remote, and ensures you never have to dig behind the speaker to switch sources.

Though bigger than the DCB41, the DCB61’s dimensions (340 × 195 × 245 mm) and four finish options—Crisp White, Olive Green, Black Ash, and Walnut—mean they slide into most décor schemes without looking clunky. At 24 lbs per pair (net), they’re substantial enough to stay planted but still manageable for repositioning.

Under $900 puts the DCB61 in direct competition with compact active floorstanders and bookshelf‑style all‑in‑ones from brands like KEF, Klipsch and NAD. But few offer HDMI eARC plus a phono preamp and hi‑res USB in one package. For those wanting a hassle‑free system that can handle everything from vinyl to TV and game console audio, the ConneX DCB61 is a compelling one‑stop solution.

ELAC’s ConneX DCB61 speakers are a statement: powered audio needn’t be limited to desktop desktop rigs or under‑powered soundbars. By scaling up the DCB41’s strengths—ample bass, clear highs, versatile connectivity and app‑driven control—the DCB61 stake their claim as a truly everyday‑friendly high‑performance system. At $899, they’re priced at a sweet spot for anyone seeking audiophile‑level detail without the wiring mess or component stack.