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 #110 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5), against #159 (rated 1.6/5) for the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR. If you want one new, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 replaces the ELAC BS U5 and is rated 2.4/5 at $599. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 168 bookshelf speakers; for better sound, the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini ranks #2 at $900.
The ELAC BS U5 is the more accurate 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 3.22 for the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR. 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.
The case for the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. The tradeoff: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier.
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, buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, which replaces the ELAC BS U5.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $749 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #110 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #159 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4” aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1” silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 3.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | 5.53 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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
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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, released Sep 2020. 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 →
| Released | Nov 2016 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
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Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 per pair Discontinued eBay
Same family: the Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 (center, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. With corrective EQ applied, the reviewer found “substantially more brilliance and detail,” and the up-firing Atmos driver produced “remarkable” spatial effects from a single box. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. Distortion is elevated at the crossover points, around 180Hz and 2600Hz. Amir concluded: “The hole in frequency response and high distortion around the crossover point rule out this speaker for any kind of hifi use, certainly at these prices.” Long discontinued.
Full Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4” aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1” silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Impedance | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.53 |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra Luna
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Polk T15
- Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR vs Klipsch R-41M
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