ELAC DEBUT CONNEX ADSUM

No one really thought there was much wrong with the DCB41 powered stereo speaker system... but Elac has decided it could do with a little more glamour anyway.

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So it's got the Brooklyn fashion house Adsum involved, and this is the result.

In spec terms, it's the same as before - which is an entirely good thing. A primary speaker is packing 100W of Class D power, of which it sends half to its partner - driving each cabinet's 0.75in soft-dome tweeter and 4.5in mid/bass driver. It's got a switchable RCA input that can operate at line or phono level, a digital optical socket, plus USB-B and HDMI ARC for use with a TV. And it takes care of aptX Bluetooth wireless connectivity too.

Dancing clean

Adsum's influence is all visual, and it's all positive. Each speaker is still the same size as the Debut ConneX DCB41, but the look is cleaner and more sophisticated. The corners of the cabinet are crisply squared off, the bespoke magnetic 'screens' add to the upmarket impression, and the aluminium stand looks the part too. Adsum's even colour-coded the provided remote control and speaker cable.

The sound of the system hasn't come in for any attention, because it didn't need any. It's detailed and organised, and quite assertive no matter what you listen to. Top-end reproduction is bright and substantial, the midrange is open and articulate, and the bass has heft and detail in equal measure.

There's an impressive amount of dynamic headroom available for when things get loud and/or intense, and even if you're using the speakers as a desktop system (and therefore sitting pretty close together) the stereo image and soundstage are both very persuasive.