Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It ranks #47 of 88 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $269. The Jamo S 803 ranks #85, rated 1.4/5, at $119.99, $149.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 does well: Good horizontal directivity: the off-axis curves track the on-axis response closely, so the broad tonal error responds predictably to EQ. The catch: 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: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. 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 the $149.01 saving on the Jamo S 803 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $119.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #47 of 88 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 88 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) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2: $269.00 per pair 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. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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Jamo S 803: $119.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. The pronounced 80-100Hz hump supplies immediate punch and can sound impressive in a short demonstration. Harmonic distortion at 86dB is broadly typical for an inexpensive 5-inch two-way, and high-passing near 80Hz reduces some woofer-driven midrange distortion. The cabinet also accepts Jamo’s matching top-mounted Atmos module. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81dB.
Cons: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction. Erin measured only about 81dB average sensitivity from 300Hz-3kHz, far below Jamo’s 87dB claim; bass around 80-100Hz and the treble are each roughly 5dB above that midrange reference. The bass is therefore resonant one-note punch rather than deep extension. Horizontal coverage is only about +/-50 degrees, while the midwoofer narrows before the tweeter widens abruptly, creating a directivity discontinuity that EQ cannot repair around 4kHz. Vertical tolerance is especially asymmetric: roughly 10 degrees above tweeter axis is usable, but moving below it rapidly damages the response. At high output, compression and multitone distortion become audible; an 80Hz crossover helps but does not correct the native tonality. Erin’s conclusion was an unequivocal pass in favor of a more neutral alternative.
Full Jamo S 803 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.9”H x 7.5”W x 9.9”D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” polyfiber woofer, 1” soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front slot |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons