Short answer: the ELAC BS U5 for directivity, the Boston Acoustics A25 on value. The slim three-way coaxial BS U5 keeps a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz with off-axis behavior notably smoother still, but distortion is very high at both crossovers, around 270Hz and 2700Hz, exceeding 3% at 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m. The A25 costs $556.02 less and has its own 900Hz peak and port resonance to answer for.
Buy the Boston Acoustics A25 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 per pair Discontinued | $856 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #60 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| 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 |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Boston Acoustics A25:
- Ascend Sierra 1 v2 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- KEF LS50 Meta vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Arendal 1961 Monitor vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Revel M105 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Boston Acoustics A25
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Polk Audio XT15
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs KEF Q150
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs JBL Studio 530
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Boston Acoustics A25 vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- See all 30 comparisons
ELAC BS U5: $856 per pair Discontinued eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
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) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC BS U5 vs Acoustic Energy AE100 Mk2
- ELAC BS U5 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- ELAC BS U5 vs Dynaudio X14
- ELAC BS U5 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL L52 Classic
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL Stage 250B
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL Stage A120
- ELAC BS U5 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- See all 32 comparisons