Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 for better sound quality, the Q Acoustics 3020i for the lower price. The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 ranks #31 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $329. The Q Acoustics 3020i ranks #46 at $314.99, $14.01 cheaper.
What the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 gets right: 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.
On the Q Acoustics 3020i side: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Set against that: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Q Acoustics 3020i if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Q Acoustics 3020i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.00 | $314.99 |
| Ranked | #31 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #46 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7.1"W x 9.2"D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aramid-fiber woofer, 1" cloth-dome tweeter | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, reflex |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.4kHz |
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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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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Q Acoustics 3020i: $314.99 Amazon
Pros: UK-designed (Finkteam) with attractive styling, including recessed binding posts and custom connectors. Vertical directivity is good enough that the tweeter doesn’t need to be exactly at ear level. With EQ correction, especially high-frequency shelving and a sub-40Hz high-pass filter, Amir found performance “improves substantially.”
Cons: On-axis response shows a rising upper-frequency trend and a dip in the 2-4kHz crossover region alongside two resonance-related dips; a significant resonance appears at 366Hz in the waterfall plot. Horizontal directivity is narrow and uneven due to a woofer/tweeter beamwidth mismatch. Amir cautions the speaker is “merely a distortion generator” if played too low, and its low impedance demands a quality amplifier. Without EQ, Amir “can’t recommend the Q Acoustics 3020i.”
Full Q Acoustics 3020i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
| Dimensions | 10.9"H x 6.7"W x 11.1"D (278 x 170 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 125mm (5") bass driver, 22mm (0.9") tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs / 4.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, reflex |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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