Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Denton. It ranks #28 of 160 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $1,499 and is still sold new; the ELAC BS U5 ranks #108 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the ELAC BS U5 does well: 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. The catch: 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 Wharfedale Super Denton is the more accurate choice. A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer: a more compact alternative to the Wharfedale Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.90 against 4.71 for the ELAC BS U5. Watch for: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Denton. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the ELAC BS U5 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC BS U5 | Wharfedale Super Denton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $856 per pair Discontinued | $1499 per pair |
| Ranked | #108 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal, 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) | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 (spinorama.org) | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.79 (spinorama.org) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 940Hz, 4.6kHz |
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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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Wharfedale Super Denton: $1499 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.2/5), the Wharfedale Linton 85 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Wharfedale Super Linton (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A 3-way design with a 1” soft dome tweeter, a 2” soft dome midrange offset to the side of a centered 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer: a more compact alternative to the Wharfedale Linton 85 with a similar overall character. Measured sensitivity around 86.6-87dB with on-axis linearity within about ±3dB. No cabinet or box resonances turned up in impedance testing, and there are no spike feet to install. Harmonic distortion looks good at both 86dB and 96dB, with about 20dB of usable dynamic range up to 96dB before compression starts to affect the midrange more noticeably near 102dB. Because bass rolls off starting around 60Hz, placing it closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet) than usual boosts low-end punch without the midbass bloat a deeper-extending speaker would get from the same placement. In the reviewer’s own comparison, its estimated in-room response actually measured more linear than the pricier Wharfedale Linton 85’s, despite being a bit less linear on-axis. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.6dB.
Cons: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character. A resonance around 660-700Hz shows up in measurement, though the reviewer couldn’t reliably hear it with real music in his own blind-ish A/B testing. The offset tweeter-and-midrange layout makes horizontal off-axis response noticeably asymmetric (response drops as much as 8dB more to one side than the other at wider angles) so the reviewer recommends aiming the speakers directly at the listener (not toed out, which loses upper treble) and suggests sidewall absorption to control uneven reflections. Must be listened to with the grille on: measurements are noticeably worse with it off (wider 2-4kHz dip, extra treble bump). Horizontal soundstage width felt a bit narrower than the reviewer personally prefers, likely related to the same offset driver layout. Multitone distortion gets high in the midrange at 96dB/1m, a concern mainly in larger rooms where you’d need to play louder.
Full Wharfedale Super Denton review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 940Hz, 4.6kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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