Short answer: the ELAC BS U5 has the smoother off-axis behavior, but both carry real caveats, though neither ranks well in its class. This slim three-way coaxial (an Andrew Jones creation) holds fairly even on-axis response to 3kHz, though distortion is very high at both crossovers and exceeds 3% at the mid-range one. The Dynaudio X14’s CEA2034 spinorama shows uneven on-axis response from the lack of a waveguide, plus a port resonance that boosts the lower midrange. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 90 bookshelf speakers, and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini, ranked #2 at $900, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the ELAC BS U5 or the Dynaudio X14, whichever you find used in better condition; both are discontinued. For a new speaker, start with the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Dynaudio X14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $1,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #60 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #62 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 43.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.7” magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 10”D (285 x 170 x 255 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 4.57 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | 6.94 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 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
Dynaudio X14: $1,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: 1” silk-dome tweeter and 5.7” magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer in a compact two-way stand-mount, rated at 85dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 67.4Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows an uneven on-axis response from the lack of a waveguide to control tweeter beam width, plus a port resonance that boosts the lower midrange and imperfect crossover matching between the drivers. Too much energy in the lower and upper treble reads as bright, and directivity narrows at higher frequencies rather than staying controlled. The reviewer’s verdict: out of the box, the objective performance isn’t that great, though EQ can make it a satisfying speaker. Discontinued.
Full Dynaudio X14 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 10”D (285 x 170 x 255 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.7” magnesium-silicate-polymer woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 23kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.57 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.94 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio X14 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Dynaudio X14 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Dynaudio X14 vs JBL L52 Classic
- Dynaudio X14 vs JBL Stage A120
- Dynaudio X14 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Dynaudio X14 vs KEF Q100
- Dynaudio X14 vs JBL Stage 250B
- Dynaudio X14 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- See all 32 comparisons