Short answer: the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks #22 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $299.98; the ELAC BS U5 ranks #29 and costs $856, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Boston Acoustics A25 side: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Set against that: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip.
The case for the ELAC BS U5: This slim three-way coaxial design (an Andrew Jones creation) shows a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz, with off-axis behavior notably smoother than the on-axis curve. The tradeoff: Distortion is very high right at both crossover points - around 270Hz (mid-range) and 2700Hz (tweeter) - at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover.
Buy the Boston Acoustics A25. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ELAC BS U5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 Discontinued | $856 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #22 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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- KEF Q150 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
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- ELAC BS U5 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
The Two Speakers In Full
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz - directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25" ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.58 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Studio 530
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
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- Boston Acoustics A25 vs KEF Q150
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
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ELAC BS U5: $856 Discontinued
Pros: This slim three-way coaxial design (an Andrew Jones creation) shows a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz, with off-axis behavior notably smoother than the on-axis curve. Predicted in-room response looks like it should give good tonality. Vertical directivity is better than average, a benefit of the coaxial layout.
Cons: Distortion is very high right at both crossover points - around 270Hz (mid-range) and 2700Hz (tweeter) - at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms with a possible resonance around 500Hz visible in the impedance/phase curve. Discontinued.
Full ELAC BS U5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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