Short answer: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G for better sound quality, the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 for the lower price. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks higher than the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 (#16 vs #92 of 179 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,250; the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is rated 3.2/5 at $269, $981 cheaper.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is the deeper-bass pick. Affordable compact bookshelf speakers with a front port for near wall placement, useful bass and a response that takes EQ well. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 87.9Hz for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is the better-sounding choice. An award winning compact bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a gold dome tweeter and good bass weight for its size. The catch: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (rising about 0.5dB per octave, a steep tilt), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G, the replacement for the discontinued Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G, is rated higher but costs $1,250.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Affordable compact bookshelf speakers with a front port for near wall placement, useful bass and a response that takes EQ well.
An award winning compact bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a gold dome tweeter and good bass weight for its size.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $799 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #92 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7.1”W x 9.2”D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 5.25” aramid-fiber woofer, 1” cloth-dome tweeter | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.6kHz |
| Port Tuning | - | 58Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | - | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
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