Short answer: the ELAC BS U5 for better sound quality, the Q Acoustics 3020i for the lower price. The ELAC BS U5 ranks #29 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $856. The Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #39 at $314.99, $541.01 cheaper.
On the ELAC BS U5 side: 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. Set against that: 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 Q Acoustics 3020i: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. The tradeoff: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot.
Buy the ELAC BS U5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Q Acoustics 3020i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 Discontinued | $314.99 |
| Ranked | #29 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, reflex |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.4kHz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KEF Q150 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Wharfedale Diamond 220 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Dynaudio Emit M10 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs ELAC BS U5
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs ELAC BS U5
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 →
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- ELAC BS U5 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- ELAC BS U5 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL L52 Classic
- See all 19 comparisons
Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 Amazon
Pros: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Vertical directivity is good enough that the tweeter doesn’t need to be exactly at ear level. With EQ correction, especially high-frequency shelving and a sub-40Hz high-pass filter, Amir found performance “improves substantially.”
Cons: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot. Horizontal directivity is narrow and uneven due to a woofer/tweeter beamwidth mismatch. Amir cautions the speaker is “merely a distortion generator” if played too low, and its low impedance demands a quality amplifier. Without EQ, Amir “can’t recommend the Q Acoustics 3020i.”
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs KEF Q100
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Micca RB42
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A120
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL Stage A130
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs JBL L52 Classic
- Q Acoustics 3020i vs Fluance Signature HFS
- See all 17 comparisons