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 Jamo S 803 ranks #176 (rated 1.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is the more accurate choice. Affordable compact bookshelf speakers with a front port for near wall placement, useful bass and a response that takes EQ well. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.02 against 3.59 for the Jamo S 803. 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.
What the Jamo S 803 does well: A cheap, compact discontinued bookshelf speaker with a front port and punchy bass, suited to desktops or surround duty. The catch: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Jamo S 803 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 reaches 40 Hz (10 dB down) against 48.7 Hz for the Jamo S 803, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 scores 7.3 against 6.1 for the Jamo S 803 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is rated at 83 dB sensitivity against 81 dB for the Jamo S 803, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $119.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #92 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #176 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7.1”W x 9.2”D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 13.9”H x 7.5”W x 9.9”D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aramid-fiber woofer, 1” cloth-dome tweeter | 5” polyfiber woofer, 1” soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, front slot |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 | 3.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Where the Ratings Come From
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Jamo S 803: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
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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