In this review, we will be comparing Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and Q350, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and KEF Q350 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | KEF Q350 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 11th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" soft dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Aluminum | 6.5" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-35k Hz | 63-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-140 watts | 10-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.30kg / 18.3lbs | 7.60kg / 16.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-5/8" x 7-5/16" x 11-11/16"
347.0 x 186.0 x 297.0mm | 14.0" x 8.2" x 12.0"
358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and KEF Q350 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 |
KEF Q350 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is a 3-way design whereas the Q350 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52KEF Q350
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 |
KEF Q350 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 features a 1" soft dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 200hZ and 2000HZ. On the other hand, the Q350 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 has a frequency range of 46-35k Hz whereas Q350 has a frequency range of 63-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q350's min frequency of 63Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Q350 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Q350's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the KEF Q350 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 can handle a max power of 140 watts RMS, whereas Q350 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 features Post type posts and Q350 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52's 5-way post terminals
KEF Q350's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 has a front firing port whereas Q350 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to KEF Q350 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52's and KEF Q350's external dimensions. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 has external dimensions of 347.0 x 186.0 x 297.0mm (13-5/8 x 7-5/16 x 11-11/16inch) whereas KEF Q350 has external dimensions of 358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0mm (14.0 x 8.2 x 12.0inch).
KEF Q350 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 11mm taller and 9mm deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and KEF Q350 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and KEF Q350 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is approximately 552.4cm2 / 85.6inch2 and base area of the KEF Q350 is approximately 642.6cm2 / 99.6inch2. The Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 requires 14% less surface area than the Q350 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and KEF Q350 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 weighs 8.30kg / 18.3lbs and the KEF Q350 weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs. This makes the Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 9% heavier than the Q350.
Here is a comparison of how Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and Q350's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of KEF Q350?
Here are the items that come with the Q350:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Warranty Registration Card
 Max Input Power |
140 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
347mm
vs
358mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
552cm2
vs
642cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
700USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 |
KEF Q350 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-140 watts |
10-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
46-35k Hz |
63-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
200hZ and 2000HZ |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
347.0mm (13.7") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Width |
186.0mm (7.3") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
297.0mm (11.7") |
306.0mm (12") |
| Weight |
8.30kg (18.3lbs) |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl-wrapped |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-24" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 digs deeper - 46Hz against 63Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | KEF Q350 is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | KEF Q350 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (140W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($700 vs $750 a pair). |
A ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 B KEF Q350
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KEF Q350 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 63Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KEF Q350 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.