Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It ranks #92 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5) at $269 and is still sold new; the ELAC BS U5 ranks #118 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The ELAC BS U5’s replacement, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, is rated 2.4/5 at $799.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is the better-sounding pick. Affordable compact bookshelf speakers with a front port for near wall placement, useful bass and a response that takes EQ well. The tradeoff: 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.
The case for the ELAC BS U5: A slim discontinued bookshelf speaker with a coaxial driver for smooth off-axis sound and good listening-height flexibility. 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.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the ELAC BS U5 is no longer sold new.
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Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (60 Hz vs 63 Hz, 3 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $856 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #92 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #118 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7.1”W x 9.2”D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 13.4”H x 7”W x 11.5”D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aramid-fiber woofer, 1” cloth-dome tweeter | 1” tweeter + 5.25” woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 | 4.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 6.79 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- ELAC BS U5: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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