Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 for better sound quality, the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 for the lower price. The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 ranks #38 of 71 bookshelf speakers at $329. The Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranks #63 at $249, $80 cheaper.
What the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 offers: Good horizontal directivity: the off-axis curves track the on-axis response closely, so the broad tonal error responds predictably to EQ. Erin demonstrated that a single high-shelf filter centered near 1.6kHz, about -2dB with Q near 2, substantially improves linearity. Moderate roughly +/-50-60 degree horizontal coverage balances room interaction and image focus. The front port makes close-to-wall placement practical. Erin measured F3 near 60Hz and F10 near 40Hz, useful extension for a compact 5.25-inch two-way. Harmonic distortion is mostly below 1% at 86dB/1m, and low-frequency distortion is better than its size might suggest. Compact cabinet and inexpensive pair pricing make it a workable EQ-assisted desktop or small-room system. Watch for: Erin measured a broad +3dB step beginning around 1.5kHz; the resulting elevated upper range sounds tonally uneven even though it is not a narrow, sharp resonance. Native response spans roughly -2.6 to +4dB around the mean, so this is not a neutral speaker without correction. Sensitivity is only about 83dB after correcting the shelf, demanding materially more amplifier voltage than ELAC’s 86dB specification implies. Vertical response changes substantially outside roughly +/-10 degrees of tweeter height. Dynamic compression is the larger limitation: at the highest sweep level it loses roughly 1-1.5dB through the midrange, and even the 86dB trace shows unusual nonlinearity that may involve crossover heating. At about 96dB, multitone distortion rises audibly around 600Hz; an 80-120Hz subwoofer crossover helps but does not turn it into a high-output design. Erin recommends the larger B6.2 instead when EQ is unavailable.
What the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 offers: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. It ranks near the bottom of the 71 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #38 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 71 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7.1"W x 9.2"D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer, 1" cloth-dome tweeter | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2: $329.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Good horizontal directivity: the off-axis curves track the on-axis response closely, so the broad tonal error responds predictably to EQ. Erin demonstrated that a single high-shelf filter centered near 1.6kHz, about -2dB with Q near 2, substantially improves linearity. Moderate roughly +/-50-60 degree horizontal coverage balances room interaction and image focus. The front port makes close-to-wall placement practical. Erin measured F3 near 60Hz and F10 near 40Hz, useful extension for a compact 5.25-inch two-way. Harmonic distortion is mostly below 1% at 86dB/1m, and low-frequency distortion is better than its size might suggest. Compact cabinet and inexpensive pair pricing make it a workable EQ-assisted desktop or small-room system.
Cons: Erin measured a broad +3dB step beginning around 1.5kHz; the resulting elevated upper range sounds tonally uneven even though it is not a narrow, sharp resonance. Native response spans roughly -2.6 to +4dB around the mean, so this is not a neutral speaker without correction. Sensitivity is only about 83dB after correcting the shelf, demanding materially more amplifier voltage than ELAC’s 86dB specification implies. Vertical response changes substantially outside roughly +/-10 degrees of tweeter height. Dynamic compression is the larger limitation: at the highest sweep level it loses roughly 1-1.5dB through the midrange, and even the 86dB trace shows unusual nonlinearity that may involve crossover heating. At about 96dB, multitone distortion rises audibly around 600Hz; an 80-120Hz subwoofer crossover helps but does not turn it into a high-output design. Erin recommends the larger B6.2 instead when EQ is unavailable.
Full ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7.1"W x 9.2"D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer, 1" cloth-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin's Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $249.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $500/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Full Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25" BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25" planar bass radiator |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.29 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 vs Q Acoustics 5020
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