Short answer: the Polk T15, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The ELAC BS U5 ranks higher than it (#108 vs #146 of 160 bookshelf speakers, 2.9/5 vs 1.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Polk T15 is still sold new at $149. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 160 bookshelf speakers, and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini, ranked #2 at $900, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The ELAC BS U5 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. 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 0.34 for the Polk T15. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 88.6Hz for the Polk T15. 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.
What the Polk T15 does well: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. The tradeoff: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis.
Buy the Polk T15 new; the ELAC BS U5 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Polk T15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $149.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #108 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | 3.39 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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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Polk T15: $149.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk T50 (floorstanding, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Extremely affordable 2-way design that actually measured better at +/-20 degrees vertical off-axis than directly on-axis. In near-field desktop use, the reviewer found the T15 “didn’t sound that horrible,” partly because nearby desk reflections mask the frequency response dip. Measured bass extension of 88.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89dB.
Cons: Spinorama analysis reveals what Amir called a “horrific drop in upper mids/lower treble region of 3 to 6 kHz,” likely from tweeter-woofer phase cancellation directly on-axis. Measured impedance ranges from 4-8 ohms, contradicting the specified 6-8 ohm range, and there’s a distortion peak around 400Hz. On- and off-axis response “vary a ton,” making listening position unusually important. The reviewer recommends saving up for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR instead: “I can’t justify recommending the Polk T15 even though subjective performance was not horrible.”
Full Polk T15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.63H x 6.5W x 7.25D in |
| Drivers | 0.75” tweeter, 5.25” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 1W/1m); 88.98dB measured, spinorama.org |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.34 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 3.39 |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.74 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons