Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the ELAC BS U5 is the better pick: it ranks #66 of 101 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5), against #86 (rated 2.1/5) for the JBL Stage A130. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 101 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 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.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | JBL Stage A130 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $399 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #66 of 101 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #86 of 101 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 5.25” (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 12 lbs (5.45 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 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) | 12.6”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | 6.51 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 3.2kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for ELAC BS U5:
- ELAC BS U5 vs Ascend Sierra 1 v2
- KEF LS50 Meta vs ELAC BS U5
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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 |
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JBL Stage A130: $399 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Stage 250B, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Smaller model: the JBL Stage A120 (ranked higher, rated 2.5/5).
Pros: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A130 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6”H x 7.5”W x 9.1”D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1” (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.51 |
| Weight | 12 lbs (5.45 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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