Short answer: the JBL Studio 530. It ranks #23 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $399; the ELAC BS U5 ranks #29 and costs $856, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Studio 530 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. The catch: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz.
What the ELAC BS U5 offers: This slim three-way coaxial design (an Andrew Jones creation) shows a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz, with off-axis behavior notably smoother than the on-axis curve. Watch for: Distortion is very high right at both crossover points - around 270Hz (mid-range) and 2700Hz (tweeter) - at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover.
Buy the JBL Studio 530. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ELAC BS U5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 530 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 Discontinued | $856 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz | - |
| Dimensions | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Studio 530: $399 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly flat on-axis response. Predicted in-room response is very smooth aside from the high-frequency roll-off.
Cons: A peak around 1.4kHz is attributed to a tweeter resonance, and shows up as a distinct spike in harmonic distortion at that frequency along with a second resonance-driven bump around 2kHz. Response rolls off in the high frequencies and the tuning is a bit bass-shy overall. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows the same 1kHz-region resonances lingering in time. Discontinued.
Full JBL Studio 530 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 18.4"H x 8.4"W x 8.7"D (467 x 214 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (130mm) PolyPlas™ cone woofer with SFG magnet, 1" (25mm) compression driver with Teonex® diaphragm on Bi-Radial® horn |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | ~85dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 530 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Boston Acoustics A25
- JBL Studio 530 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Studio 530 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Studio 530 vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- JBL Studio 530 vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- JBL Studio 530 vs KEF Q150
- JBL Studio 530 vs JBL Stage 2 250B
- See all 19 comparisons
ELAC BS U5: $856 Discontinued
Pros: This slim three-way coaxial design (an Andrew Jones creation) shows a fairly even on-axis response up to 3kHz, with off-axis behavior notably smoother than the on-axis curve. Predicted in-room response looks like it should give good tonality. Vertical directivity is better than average, a benefit of the coaxial layout.
Cons: Distortion is very high right at both crossover points - around 270Hz (mid-range) and 2700Hz (tweeter) - at both 86dB and 96dB SPL/1m, exceeding 3% at the mid-range crossover. Minimum impedance dips to 3.4 ohms with a possible resonance around 500Hz visible in the impedance/phase curve. Discontinued.
Full ELAC BS U5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- ELAC BS U5 vs Dynaudio X14
- ELAC BS U5 vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- ELAC BS U5 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- ELAC BS U5 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC BS U5 vs JBL L52 Classic
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