Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#48 and #49 of 90 bookshelf speakers), and the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 costs $269 against $278 for the Sony SS-CS5 M2, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $9 less than the Sony SS-CS5 M2.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | Sony SS-CS5 M2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $278.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #49 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7.1”W x 9.2”D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 13.2”H x 7”W x 8.7”D (335 x 178 x 220 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | 5.25” aramid-fiber woofer, 1” cloth-dome tweeter | 5.12” woofer, 0.98 in tweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs JBL Studio 530
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs JBL Stage 250B
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Monoprice Monolith THX Compact Satellite
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs ELAC BS U5
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 44 comparisons
Sony SS-CS5 M2: $278.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Added internal bracing (corners, sides, front baffle) plus an updated crossover meaningfully reduce the resonance issues that plagued the original SS-CS5, giving a smoother, more neutral character overall. A modest mid-range dip (about 1-2dB) is present but tolerable, and the reviewer would rather have this dip than a peak in that region. Slightly deeper bass than the previous version, measuring about 2dB more output around 60Hz. Distortion drops noticeably when crossed to a subwoofer around 80-120Hz, meaningfully improving midrange clarity and detail versus running full-range. Easy to drive on a standard AVR: no need for a dedicated high-power amplifier. More modern, understated waveguide look compared to the previous version’s glossy trim. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Mild sibilance in the 3-5kHz range stands out on S and T sounds in vocals. Some forwardness in the midrange noticeable on certain vocal recordings. Soundstage and sense of envelopment are comparatively flat and two-dimensional, especially next to reference-quality speakers with strong 3D imaging. Marketed as a “three-way” design mainly due to an added super-tweeter that the reviewer considers largely superfluous: it engages only at very high frequencies and adds complexity without a clearly audible benefit, when that cost might have been better spent on the main crossover. Output-limited: realistic ceiling is around the mid-90s dB SPL at a few meters, with comfortable listening closer to 75-85dB at 3-4 meters before distortion and compression become audible. Bass noticeably compresses/shelves below about 120Hz as volume increases, softening kick-drum impact at higher output. Smaller drivers and a lighter motor structure than rivals like the Polk XT20, which the reviewer generally prefers for its better directivity and higher SPL capability. Still needs a subwoofer for any real bass extension.
Full Sony SS-CS5 M2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.2”H x 7”W x 8.7”D (335 x 178 x 220 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.12” woofer, 0.98 in tweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter; 0.75-inch supertweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs JBL Stage 250B
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs JBL Studio 530
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs Monoprice Monolith THX Compact Satellite
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs Totem Kin One
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs ELAC BS U5
- Sony SS-CS5 M2 vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 45 comparisons