In this review, we will be comparing ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52, two Passive Center Channel speakers by ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 | ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" soft dome | 1" soft dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" dished aluminum | 2 x 5.25" aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-35k Hz | 47-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-140 watts | up to 140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.70kg / 25.7lbs | 13.20kg / 29lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-5/16" x 21-7/16" x 11-9/16"
186.0 x 545.0 x 294.0mm | 7-3/8" x 20-7/8" x 13-1/16"
188.0 x 531.0 x 332.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 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 UC52 |
ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 are 3-way speakers.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52
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 UC52 |
ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 features a 1" soft dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" dished aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 200hZ and 2000HZ. On the other hand, the Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 features a 1" soft dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer.
Frequency Response
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a frequency range of 48-35k Hz whereas Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 has a frequency range of 47-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 can go slightly deeper then the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52's min frequency of 48Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 85 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 140 watts RMS, though ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is rated 40-140 watts and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 up to 140 watts.
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
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 features Binding post type posts and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52's 5-Way post terminals
ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 UC52's and ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52's external dimensions. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has external dimensions of 186.0 x 545.0 x 294.0mm (7-5/16 x 21-7/16 x 11-9/16inch) whereas ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 has external dimensions of 188.0 x 531.0 x 332.0mm (7-3/8 x 20-7/8 x 13-1/16inch).
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is 2mm shorter and 38mm less deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 but it is also 14mm wider.
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 UC52 is approximately 1602.3cm2 / 248.4inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 is approximately 1762.9cm2 / 273.2inch2. The ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 requires 9% less surface area than the Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 UC52 weighs 11.70kg / 25.7lbs and the ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52 weighs 13.20kg / 29lbs. This makes the Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 13% heavier than the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52.
Here is a comparison of how ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi Reference UCR52's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ni-Fi 2.0 UC52:
- Center channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52?
Here are the items that come with the Uni-Fi Reference UCR52:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- Operating Instructions
 Height |
186mm
vs
188mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1602cm2
vs
1762cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
460USD
vs
700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
48 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 |
ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UCR52 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-140 watts |
up to 140 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
48-35k Hz |
47-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
dished aluminum |
aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft dome |
soft dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
200hZ and 2000HZ |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
186.0mm (7.3") |
188.0mm (7.4") |
| Width |
545.0mm (21.5") |
531.0mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
294.0mm (11.6") |
332.0mm (13.1") |
| Weight |
11.70kg (25.7lbs) |
13.20kg (29lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Satin Black with Walnut Sides, Satin White with Oak Sides |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Both are ELAC, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (48Hz vs 47Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (85dB vs 85dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (140W vs 140W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is cheaper - $460 against $700, about 34% less. |
A ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 B ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UCR52
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $240 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.