Short answer: the Dynaudio Emit M10 for distortion performance, the ELAC BS U5 for directivity. The BS U5 is a slim three-way coaxial design whose off-axis behavior is notably smoother than its on-axis curve, but distortion is very high at both crossover points, around 270Hz and 2700Hz, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover. The Emit M10 shows headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL. They are $56 apart.
Buy the Dynaudio Emit M10 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
| Dynaudio Emit M10 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $800 per pair Discontinued | $856 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #60 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Emit M10: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dynaudio Emit 10. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows impressive, headphone-level distortion through the midrange and tweeter at 86dB SPL, with a well-executed port that keeps resonance low below the crossover. 28mm soft dome tweeter and 14cm MSP mid/bass driver. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.5dB.
Cons: Tuned toward a mild showroom sound with boosted upper bass and treble and a recessed midrange: the reviewer prefers speakers that get the 100Hz-3kHz range right, which this doesn’t. His verdict: cheaper speakers deliver much more balanced tonality, so he wouldn’t buy it for himself. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio Emit M10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5”H x 6.7”W x 9.4”D (292 x 170 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm soft dome tweeter, 14cm MSP mid/bass driver |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.93 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Dynaudio X14
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage 250B
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL L52 Classic
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage A120
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- See all 39 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 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
- ELAC BS U5 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- See all 32 comparisons