Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It ranks #18 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $329; the JBL Stage 2 250B ranks #22 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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.
What the JBL Stage 2 250B offers: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Watch for: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Stage 2 250B and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | JBL Stage 2 250B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #18 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7.1"W x 9.2"D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer, 1" cloth-dome tweeter | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Output Power | - | 75W RMS |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM
- KEF Q150 vs Acoustic Energy AE100 Mk2
- KEF Q150 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- KEF Q150 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2: $329.00 Amazon
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 |
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JBL Stage 2 250B: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably wide and controlled (~50-60 degrees). The tweeter itself holds up fine under compression testing - it’s the midwoofer that gives out first.
Cons: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling. A confusing, hard-to-place tonal signature - a lower-midrange dip creates a recessed, lacking-attack character that’s then partly offset by a rebound around 2-4kHz, so it reads as recessed and forward at different times depending on the material. Treble falls off sharply above 6-7kHz, same issue as the larger 280F. Multitone distortion at 96dB is genuinely poor - well over 3%, reportedly around 10% at some frequencies. Limited bass extension (F3 64Hz, F10 50Hz) means a subwoofer is basically required if used as main speakers. Compression sets in early on the bass/midwoofer at higher output. The reviewer explicitly recommends the similarly-priced Polk Reserve R200/R100 instead for anyone who wants a more linear, EQ-free sound.
Full JBL Stage 2 250B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons