Short answer: the ELAC BS U5 for better sound quality, the Fluance Signature HFS for the lower price. The ELAC BS U5 ranks #57 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $856. The Fluance Signature HFS ranks #76 at $199.99, $656.01 cheaper.
What the ELAC BS U5 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Fluance Signature HFS offers: 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. 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. 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.
Buy the ELAC BS U5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Fluance Signature HFS if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Fluance Signature HFS. It ranks near the bottom of the 87 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Fluance Signature HFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 Discontinued | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #57 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #76 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg | 9.7 lbs 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 |
| Power Handling | - | 30-120W recommended |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC BS U5: $856 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.
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- ELAC BS U5 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- 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 Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- ELAC BS U5 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- See all 32 comparisons
Fluance Signature HFS: $199.99 Amazon eBay
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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