Short answer: the ELAC BS U5. It ranks #21 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $856; the JBL L52 Classic ranks #25 and costs $1099.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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.
What the JBL L52 Classic offers: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass… Watch for: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion…
Buy the ELAC BS U5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL L52 Classic and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | JBL L52 Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 Discontinued | $1,099.95 |
| Ranked | #21 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg | 11 lbs each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 10-75W RMS |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 62Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.8kHz |
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- ELAC BS U5 vs Q Acoustics 5020
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC BS U5: $856 Discontinued
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 →
| 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 | 85dB |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL L52 Classic: $1,099.95 Amazon
Pros: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass reflex port, in a compact stand-mount cabinet. A pronounced upper-bass bump around 100 Hz gives kick drums a punchy, textured character.
Cons: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion either. Response rolls off quickly above the upper-bass bump, so there’s punch and impact but not real low-end rumble or fundamental weight below about 60 Hz without a subwoofer. Soundstage width was inconsistent track to track, with imaging not staying locked to where instruments should be. Vocals could sound hot and slightly grainy in the 2.5-5 kHz region; pointing the speakers off-axis reduced that sharpness but also killed high-frequency air.
Full JBL L52 Classic review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11 lbs each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons