If you’re looking to upgrade your audio setup without diving into a mess of components, ELAC’s new ConneX DCB61 powered bookshelf speakers should be on your radar. They’re a bigger, more capable version of the popular DCB41 speakers, with more power, more inputs, and a few clever features that make them easy to live with, whether you're plugging into a TV, spinning vinyl, or just streaming tunes from your phone.

The DCB61s are sold as a pair for $899 at Crutchfield, and they’re designed to be a simple, all-in-one stereo system. One speaker is the “brains” of the operation—it houses all the amps, connections, and controls. The second speaker connects with a cable and works as the passive side of the stereo pair. That means there’s no need for a separate receiver or amplifier, which is great if you’re trying to keep your setup clean and low-hassle.

Inside, the DCB61 steps things up from the DCB41 with larger 6.5-inch woofers paired with their own 60-watt Class D amplifiers, designed to produce deeper, more impactful bass. Treble duties are handled by 19mm soft-dome tweeters driven by 20-watt amps, each tucked into a specially designed waveguide to help smooth out the sound and widen the sweet spot. 

Around the back, you’ll find rear-facing “S”-shaped ports that help extend the bass response without adding extra noise. According to ELAC, the speakers can dig down to 41Hz, which is solid for a bookshelf-sized design.

One of the strongest selling points here is connectivity. The DCB61 has a HDMI eARC port, so you can hook it up to your TV and control the volume using your regular TV remote—no juggling extra remotes. There’s also Bluetooth with LC3 and aptX support, so you can stream wirelessly from your phone or laptop at better-than-basic quality. 

If you’re more into high-resolution music files, a USB-B input lets you connect your PC or Mac directly, supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz playback. And for physical sources, you get a built-in phono preamp for your turntable, an optical input for game consoles or disc players, and standard analog inputs too.

Even though this isn’t a surround system, ELAC did include Dolby Digital decoding, which comes in handy for movies and TV shows. The system will automatically downmix surround content into stereo, so you’re not missing out on any dialogue or effects. If you want more low-end oomph, there’s a subwoofer output on the back, so you can plug in a powered sub and expand to a 2.1 setup.

Daily use is also pretty straightforward. The front of the main speaker has a small LED that shows you which input is active. You can dim it using the included remote or ELAC’s free app (available on both iOS and Android), which also lets you tweak EQ settings, set the speakers to turn on automatically when they sense a signal, and more. 

You can even assign which speaker goes on the left or right side, depending on how you want to set things up in your room.

Build-wise, the cabinets are made from reinforced 12mm MDF, and you get a few design choices to match your space—Black Ash, Crisp White, Olive Green, or Walnut—all with removable grilles.

So who are these for? The DCB61 is aimed at folks who want real stereo sound with modern features, without having to build out a full hi-fi rack. They’re big enough to work as your main music speakers or a solid TV audio upgrade, but simple enough to plug in and start using right away. At $899, they’re not budget speakers, but you’re also not paying for extra boxes, amps, or complicated wiring.

The ELAC ConneX DCB61 powered speakers are available now for $899 at Crutchfield. If you don’t need the extra size or power, ELAC’s smaller DCB41 is available at Crutchfield for $599.