Short answer: the Polk Audio XT15. It ranks #26 of 63 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $179; the ELAC BS U5 ranks #36 and costs $856, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Polk Audio XT15 offers: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Watch for: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB).
On the ELAC BS U5 side: 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. Set against that: 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 Polk Audio XT15. 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
| Polk Audio XT15 | ELAC BS U5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $856 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each | 13.4"H x 7"W x 11.5"D (339.1 x 178.0 x 293.1 mm) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 4 ohms nominal (3.4 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer | 1" tweeter + 5.25" woofer |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported | ported, rear |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio XT15: $179 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield
Pros: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Directivity spread is reasonably even for the price (directivity_spdi_stddev 3.60).
Cons: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis deviation is the roughest measured figure here (aad_on_axis 0.449), and listening-window smoothness (0.303) trails the pricier options in this group. Modest 86dB sensitivity wants a reasonably powered amp channel. The 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer is Polk’s entry-tier driver, not the polypropylene/Turbine cones used in its pricier Signature Elite/Reserve lines.
Full Polk Audio XT15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Neumi Silk 4
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- Polk Audio XT15 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Polk Audio XT15 vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
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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.
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