Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The ELAC BS U5 ranks higher than the Fluance Signature HFS (#110 vs #151 of 168 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, is rated 2.4/5 at $599 and is still sold new. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 168 bookshelf speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini instead, ranked #2 at $900.
The ELAC BS U5 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. 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. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.71 against 2.92 for the Fluance Signature HFS. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Fluance Signature HFS. 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.
Why pick the Fluance Signature HFS: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests.
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, the replacement for the discontinued ELAC BS U5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Fluance Signature HFS.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $199.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #110 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #151 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 1” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How ELAC BS U5 compares with other leading options:
- ELAC BS U5 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2
- KEF LS50 Meta vs ELAC BS U5
- ELAC BS U5 vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- ELAC BS U5 vs Revel M105
- ELAC BS U5 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC BS U5: $856 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, ranked lower, rated 2.4/5. See every ELAC Uni-Fi generation.
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
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Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Fluance Signature HFF (floorstanding, estimated 2.4/5) and the Fluance Signature HFC (center, estimated 2.1/5).
Pros: Front-facing port and pre-installed wall-mount brackets make it flexible for bookshelf or surround/height duty. Distortion in the low end is well controlled per the measurements, and the glossy front baffle adds a touch of style well beyond the budget price. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows serious flaws in the midrange: both the direct sound and the directivity are compromised, a combination the reviewer flagged as poor for controlled listening tests. Multiple attempted EQ fixes “could not rescue” the sound, and the reviewer said the result was “close” to the lowest possible rating. Online reviews seeded by the company were positive; the reviewer’s measured and subjective experience was not.
Full Fluance Signature HFS review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8H x 7.87W x 8.22D in |
| Drivers | 1” neodymium silk dome tweeter (ferrofluid cooled), 5” glass-fiber-treated woofer (butyl rubber surround) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 30-120W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.92 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.53 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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